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USA - Southwestern (1959) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

USA - Southwestern (1959) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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USA - Southwestern (1959) - Black Mug Design

This design is a map of the American Southwest, drawn as it stood in 1959, when the region's state lines and place names were laid out in the cartography of that year.

Visual Elements & Composition

The map is the whole subject. State boundaries, rivers and place names fill the frame, with the Southwest's broad desert expanses and straight, surveyed borders giving the layout its structure. Labels are set in the lettering conventions of mid-century map printing, so the text reads as part of the drawing rather than an add-on. Nothing competes with the geography: the composition is quiet, orderly and built around the eye tracing from one state to the next.

Meaning & Symbolism

Maps of this period carry a particular kind of pride. The 1959 date places the image in a postwar America that was still mapping its growth, with new highways, expanding cities and the steady pull of the West. A Southwestern map from that moment reads as a portrait of a region in motion, one that people were driving across, moving into and writing about. It is a record of how the country looked to the people who used it at the time, and that is the story the design tells.

On the Black Mug

A mug is turned in the hand, so a map on one reveals itself in pieces. Each sip brings a different corner of the Southwest round to the front, while the handle breaks the view on one side, a little like a folded road atlas. Against the black ground, the printed lines stand out the way a route does under a reading lamp. It is the kind of cup for someone who always wants to know where they are, and who likes a bit of geography with their morning coffee.

Size

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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.