Former Palace / Forbidden City

This week's mug is a special find in my not-so-local thrift store.  My wife and I haunt the thrift stores both local and up to 45 min away, looking for bargains.  When I spied this on the shelf just a few days ago, my eyes lit up!  

The mug has a full wrap around design of black, emblazoned with two Chinese characters, which translate to "Forbidden Palace" or "Former Palace."  The characters ae red on the black background.  (I'll note here that the mug has seen better days.  The magic thermochromatic ink has been rubbed or scratched off in two places; but this does not keep the ink from changing when the mug gets hot!) 

When hot liquid is poured into the mug, the entire black background AND the red letters become clear showing a wide angle drawing of the Forbidden Palace.  The Forbidden City is a palace complex in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, at the center of the Imperial City of Beijing.

Though the ink is a bit beaten up, the mug is in great shape and the color change is quick and full. I'm impressed as this is one of the very few mugs I have with a DUAL color change (black and red.) 

DESIGN: 3 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 2 Color
TYPE: Retail (I expect this is a souvenir sold in areas around the Former Palace itself.)

Amazing Dad

 

This week's mug is another Dad mug.  When cold, the mug is totally black, inside and out, with a nice red "Dad" on the left side.  Above the 'a' in Dad is a heart.  

When hot liquid is added to the mug, the entire outside of the mug turns white, with the addition of the words "TO MY AMAZING" Dad.  A great gift, and a great addition to the collection. 

The mug is in mint condition. 

DESIGN:  1+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail.

You're the Man, Dad!

This month's mug is a gift from my daughter. Isn't she lovely?  Y'see, we've got this running gag going since she was a kid when she looked at me and said "You're getting old, Dad."  I was about 30, so she's kept up the joke for neigh on 40 years now.  Yeah, wonderful child.  

Ok, so the mug is brand new and has on both sides the great phrase "YOU'RE THE MAN, DAD"  No exclamation point. It's a nice, big mug, too. 

When hot liquid is added to the mug, the bottom half of both sides clear to reveal the addition, "THE OLD MAN, BUT STILL THE MAN"  again, no exclamation, not even a period.

I love my daughter. She's a hoot.  

No, it wasn't a surprise, the mug warned me what was about to happen.  It came in this great full color box.  

DESIGN:  2 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail

Seattle Seahawks

This month's mug is a wonderful thrift shop find.  It shows the word "HAWKS" stylized with stripes of gren and blue in a wrap around design. 

Once a hot beverage is added to the mug, the entire mug clears to show the logo/mascot eyes of the Seattle Seahawks.  Go HAWKS! 

The mug is in incredible condition and a great addition to the collection. 

DESIGN:  3 Sided - Wraparound
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Promotional/Retail

Oz Witch - I'll Get You My Pretty!

 

This month's mug is a promotional mug for the movie "The Wizard of Oz."  It is in the new style where the entire mug turns clear (even the handle if it were to get hot enough) to reveal the design.  the mug starts out totally black, on both sides as seen above. 

When hot liquid is added, both sides change.  On the right side it shows the phrase "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!" It also reveals a witch's broom.  On the left side, it shows the wicked witch from the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz" as played by Margaret Hamilton.

The mug is brand new and in great condition. 

DESIGN:  2+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Promotional

FRIENDS TV Show - Console TV Mug

 

I'm a bit behind the time this month, but it's well worth it.  For Christmas, my lovely wife got me this incredible FRIENDS mug.  I'm a big fan of the show and she knows this.  She had to order this one from the UK, so it has a special place in the collection.  

As you can see, the mug is shaped like a Console TV!  It even has legs.  On the left side of the mug is a depiction of a TV with a black screen and the FRIENDS Logo, with The Television Series under it.  On the right side of the mug is "I'd Rather be Watching FRIENDS.  The handle is square to match the shape of the TV.  

When hot liquid is added, the TV screen on the front clears to show the six friends. (For those not in the know, L-R: Joey, Phoebe, Monica, Ross, Chandler and Rachel) 

Unlike other 'square' mugs, this has a circular hole cut in the top! 

I had to show the bottom so you can see its legs. 

This Mug also came in its own full color box with fitted Styrofoam! 

DESIGN:  1+ Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Promotional

Oversized Day of the Dead Mug

 

Today's mug is an oversized 20 ounce mug. It shows a dark skull on each of the three sides. Each of the skulls is a slightly different shape.  

When hot liquid is added, the skulls clear to show individual designs of Day of the Dead Sugar skulls.  The mug is brand new, so the change is quick and complete.  It's a beauty. 

Being brand new, the mug even comes in it's own full color box.

DESIGN:  3 Sided
THERMOCHROMIC: 1 Color
TYPE: Retail