Quik Mart - Superstar

This mug comes from a chain of stores called "Quick Mart."  The mug shows a bunch of stars along with the Quick Mart Logo and to the lower right is a large star (original color is unknown, it is now a dull brown.) 

When heated the large star clears (somewhat) to show the moniker "SUPERSTAR."  

We can guestimate that this had to do with some special program named "SUPERSTAR" and that the mug was either a reward or part of the program itself.  I have been unable to locate any history on this mug as the Quick Mart Chain has either gone under or been merged with some other company.  There are 'Quick Mart' stores in Tucson (but they are unrelated) and there are many Kwik Mart stores (also unrelated.)  

DESIGN:  1 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE:  Corporate Freebie
ON THE BOTTOM: Nothing

Union Planters Bank Y2K Project

This mug is from Union Planters Bank, which was a large bank here in the region of the South.  Just a few years ago, it was absorbed into the big banking conglomerate that is now Regions Bank.  This mug honors their Y2K Project which, if my information is correct, is when they worked to make sure that all computers were able to take the date change to 2000 and not cause problems.

The mug is a single sided design which shows the bank's logo and 1998 in a LCD type font and of course, Y2K Project beneath it. 1998 was the year that the Y2K Project started.  These mugs were given to workers who were employed with Union Planters at the time of the project and its completion.

When hot, the 1998 is supposed to disappear and the number 2000 appear incorporated with the logo.  This mug is a bit old and shows some damage as both the numbers 1998 and the cover to the numbers 2000 do not disappear completely.  It is still sentimental as I was a customer of Union Planters at that time and am still with Regions Bank today.

DESIGN:  1 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE:  Corporate Freebie

Space Shuttle in Space

This is a mug found at the Smithsonian Institute, at any of the Gift Shops near the Air and Space Museum.  It is one of my first wrap-around designs.  The design is one picture which wraps around all three sides. 

When cold, the picture shows a starry sky with the surface of the earth to the lower right corner.  The color is dark brown, and I imagine it was once a darker color (perhaps black) as the mug shows minor microwave damage to the color layer.

The color change does work, however and shows both the Space Shuttle, in careful detail along with an astronaut in mid space-walk.  At the lower left corner is the logo of the Smithsonian Institute. 

Across the top is the rather dry label

SHUTTLE IN SPACE

ASTRONAUT IN EVA (EXTRAVEHICULAR ACTIVITY)

SPACEWALK NEAR EARTH ORBITING SPACE SHUTTLE. 

DESIGN:  3 Sided Wrao-Around
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail Purchase

Centigram & Fujitsu "One View"

This is another great advertising mug from a company called CENTIGRAM.  On the main side of the mug is a picture of an old style computer keyboard and monitor.  The monitor has the curved sides reminicent of an old CRT style monitor.  On the obverse, is the phrase "Achieving the Vision!" and the company logo for Fujitsu.  

When heated, the center of the computer monitor clears to show 'OneView'. In the early 1990's, Centigram touted their OneView products which allowed users integrated access to multi-media messaging from their personal computers and, with OneView Remote, even while away from their offices.  This mug appears to be a celebration of the deal between Centigram and Fujitsu to create voice messaging applications in 1993. 

DESIGN:  1 plus Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE:Advertising.

Jesus Shaves

I was surprised to get this Magic Mug as a Birthday Gift this last weekend and just had to put it up here for all to see.  To start, we see the figure of Jesus holding a pair of scissors in one hand and a bit of money in his other hand.  

This is a 3 sided mug, showing the figure of Jesus on the two main sides and the title "JESUS SAVES" on the 3rd.

When heated, the scissors disappear, leaving that hand empty.  The money disappears from the other hand, but leaves that hand with a modern razor.  Jesus' beard also disappears revealing a clean shaven chin!

On the 3rd Side, the word SAVES disappears completely and the dark bar between the two words also clears to show the word SHAVES, thus now making the phrase "JESUS SHAVES."

This is among the new 'full color' color change mugs, much like the Tardis and I'm looking for new ones all the time.  Because this was a gift, I also have the original box (lower right) with full color graphics (with Jesus' face half full of shaving cream!)  I also wanted to show the bottom of the mug, for the one additional fun phrase found there: "FOR BEST RESULTS, USE OTHER SIDE."

DESIGN:  3 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: Full Color
TYPE:  Retail purchase.

A final note, just because I expect it there may be discussion on the subject: Please no rants.  I don't consider this to be sacrilegious, but more of a fun joke at the turn of a phrase.  If you wish to post religious rants, comments or biblical quotes expect them to be deleted.  

The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)

This is one of my favorite mugs. It shows a cat with a big grin and nothing else.  No Advertising, no words - nothing. The big grin is bright red and the rest of the big striped kitty is blue.

Once hot liquid is added, the entire cat disappears, EXCEPT for the big, red grin.  I love this mug for its simplicity and it's always been one of my favorites.  

DESIGN:  1 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail

Yosemite Valley

Today's magic mug is from the Yosemite Valley.  The Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of California (USA). The valley is about 8 miles (13 km) long and up to a mile deep, surrounded by high granite summits such as Half Dome and El Capitan, and densely forested with pines.

When cool, the mug shows the valley under a dark starry sky.  When hot liquid is added, the sky clears and you see a bright yellow and orange sunrise.

This mug is a retail purchase item usually found in the better Gift Shops in tourist areas of Yosemite Valley.

DESIGN:  1 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail purchase