Skip to product information
1 of 7

USA - Southwestern (1940) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

USA - Southwestern (1940) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $17.99 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

USA - Southwestern (1940) - Black Mug Design

This design is a map of the American Southwest, drawn in the graphic style of 1940s regional print.

Visual Elements & Composition

The map is the subject, and the layout gives it the whole surface. Its lines describe the land rather than decorating it, so the eye moves across territory and borders in the order a traveller would read them. The map's (Map) form keeps the composition flat and frontal, with no perspective tricks, which is typical of the cartographic posters that circulated across the country before and during the early war years.

Meaning & Symbolism

A regional map from 1940 carries a particular kind of pride. It presents the Southwest as a place with its own identity inside the wider United States, and it does so at a moment when the country was taking stock of its landscapes and roads. Tagged under Americana, Vintage Regional Design and Mid-Century, the piece records how that era chose to picture its own geography: plainly, confidently, and with an eye on the open road.

Cupped in the Hand

A mug is turned slowly as you drink, so the map does not sit in one view. It rotates past your eyes one section at a time, the way a folded road map opens in stages. Held close and read at the table, the design rewards a second look, which suits a piece of history you keep within reach. For anyone who likes a little vintage cartography with their morning coffee, this one delivers the Southwest a sip at a time.

Size

Bulk Discounts Available

These discounts apply to all products.

Buy 2
10% OFF
Buy 3+
20% OFF
Buy 5+
30% OFF
Buy 10+
40% OFF

Automatically applied at checkout.

View full details

Glossy black ceramic mugs in two practical sizes — 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml). Comfortable C-handle, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and manufactured to be lead- and BPA-free. Note: printed blacks may read slightly different from the mug’s base color.

These mugs are made from solid ceramic with a glossy glaze that gives a deep, even surface for printing. Sublimation printing embeds ink into the glaze so artwork sits smoothly on the mug rather than simply sitting on top — that means better resistance to fading and scratching during normal use.

They’re available in the classic 11-ounce size for everyday black coffee and tea, and a larger 15-ounce cup if you like extra room for milk, foam or a long pour. The C-shaped handle is wide enough for a secure grip and balances the mug well when full.

  • Material: 100% ceramic with a high-gloss finish for punchy, saturated results.
  • Sizes: 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml) — choose your routine size.
  • Printing: sublimation process fuses color into the glaze for durable imagery.
  • Safety: lead- and BPA-free; meets common food-contact safety standards.
  • Design note: very dark artwork and the mug’s black base can produce subtle shade differences — add a thin lighter outline to ensure contrast if needed.

These mugs are at home in the kitchen, on the office desk, or tucked into a morning routine. They work for espresso shots, pour-overs, oat-milk lattes — you name it. The larger size is handy when you want a second cup’s worth without a refill.

  1. Daily use: fill with your preferred brew and sip — the mug handles hot liquids safely.
  2. Office-friendly: fits most standard mug warmers and sits securely on communal trays and kitchen counters.
  3. Gifting: packs well (wrap with a soft layer) and pairs nicely with coffee beans, tea tins, or a small box of biscuits.

Practical tip: for very dark designs, try a thin light border or a small margin so the artwork reads cleanly against the black ceramic.

These mugs are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, but gentle habits extend the life of the print. We recommend dishwasher use on the top rack and milder cycles when possible.

Hand-washing is the friendliest option: warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Avoid steel wool, harsh scouring pads, or blasting with extremely hot industrial cycles. And a quick reminder — don’t microwave an empty mug.

Two sizes: 11 oz (approx. 330 ml) and 15 oz (approx. 440 ml). The smaller cup is the familiar, everyday size; the larger one is for fuller pours and extra-creamy drinks.

Each mug’s mouth and height are proportioned so they’re easy to drink from and easy to clean. If you’re pairing with saucers or nesting in cabinets, expect the 15 oz to be slightly wider and taller than the 11 oz.

Size guide

All measurements are product dimensions in inches.

11 oz 15 oz
Height (in) 3.86 4.72
Diameter (in) 3.35 3.35
Diameter with handle (in) 4.72 5.12

Note: dimensions are nominal — small production tolerances may apply. If you need precise fitment (e.g., for nested storage or custom packaging), please allow a small margin.