Guide · Collecting
A plain guide to the city and country mug series collectors look for, from the blue line Architecture mugs to You Are Here, Been There and Discovery.
If you've started collecting city mugs, the first question is always the same: which series is this one? Here's a plain guide to the main designs collectors track.
From 2006 · 11 in the catalogue
Fine line drawings of the skyline in blue ink, like an architect's sketch. Big and straight sided, with the place name in capitals and its nickname underneath, like The Big Apple.
2008 to 2016 · 317 in the catalogue
Squarer handle, matt base, one big illustration of the place. The widest series of the lot by far, and still the one most collectors have most of.
2013 to now · 281 in the catalogue
The wide 14oz one. Bright flat illustration, place name across the front. Most of what you will find on a shelf.
2018 to now · 29 in the catalogue
Took over from You Are Here in most markets from 2018. Clip art style, more detail packed in, slightly thinner wall.
2024 to now · 66 in the catalogue
Softer, watercolour-style brushwork in muted palettes with storybook vignettes. Took over from Been There from 2024.
2015 to now · 8 in the catalogue
Raised, sculpted design you can feel with your thumb. Made mostly for China, Korea, Taiwan and a handful of big cities.
2015 to now · 29 in the catalogue
Miniature, 2oz, with a loop for hanging. Sold at Christmas, which is why so many are still boxed.
various · 15 in the catalogue
Regional and limited. Korea Real City, the Japan series, Asian artsy designs, one-country runs. Never sold widely, and the ones that surprise people.
Look at the shape and the artwork style first, then the size. The name of the place is usually across the front, and the style of drawing tells you the series. If you're still stuck, the catalogue has photos from collectors for many of them.
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