Mugs were sized to suit the fancy of the tinsmith or for a particular use. Very similar in shape to measures, the sides of the body are tapered. Most early mugs, cups, and measures were made from tinplate, some from copper and brass. Toward the end of the
1800s it became obvious that the days were numbered for these and other pieces of kitchenware made from tinplate, as predicted by statements in the 1895 Montgomery Ward & Co. catalog that promoted such utensils made from aluminum: “aluminum has
come to supplant the use of heavy and poisonous copper in the kitchen” and “Aluminum is the coming metal, tin will be displaced. Aluminum has merits which tin has not, and also all the merits of tin.” In some cases, however, tin and copper have prevailed. For
example, here and abroad the most professional chefs still use copper pots that are tinned on the inside.

These mugs are soldered with lead-free solder and are available personalized with either one or two hand-punched period style letters.