You stated in the OP that there are no authentic ones made anymore. So does that mean you can't purchase them anymore? I feel like I need to have one now!
The Victor Insulator Company goes back to 1898. They began making ceramic/porcelain insulation for electrical equipment. Down the road ('40s?) they began making a most impressive coffee mug. They made the mugs, according to what I read, through 1990. There was a change in distributor toward the later years, but I think they were still made in Victor, NY. They were probably best known for their massive mug production for the armed services and later in diners in the '40s, '50s, and '60s.
From what I gather, they are not particularly rare, yet you don't see them often. (I had never seen one--and known what it was--until a month ago.) I've seen some on estate sale websites for a quite high price. More may be found on the "garage sale"-type sites and auction sites.
Lots have been hoarded for eventual sale, and probably more are in thousands of attics, basements, and the deep recesses of musty cupboards. These appear online for sale by--probably the 60-year-old children of the greatest generation who owned the earliest productions of Victor mugs, and who are now steadily passing off the scene.
The Victor Insulator Company goes back to 1898. They began making ceramic/porcelain insulation for electrical equipment. Down the road ('40s?) they began making a most impressive coffee mug. They made the mugs, according to what I read, through 1990. There was a change in distributor toward the later years, but I think they were still made in Victor, NY. They were probably best known for their massive mug production for the armed services and later in diners in the '40s, '50s, and '60s.
From what I gather, they are not particularly rare, yet you don't see them often. (I had never seen one--and known what it was--until a month ago.) I've seen some on estate sale websites for a quite high price. More may be found on the "garage sale"-type sites and auction sites.
Lots have been hoarded for eventual sale, and probably more are in thousands of attics, basements, and the deep recesses of musty cupboards. These appear online for sale by--probably the 60-year-old children of the greatest generation who owned the earliest productions of Victor mugs, and who are now steadily passing off the scene.
The thickness is incomparable, the weight is amazing (1 pound, 4.75 ounces!!). The capacity is perfect for my use (6 ounces with a touch of room, 7 to the absolute rim). They appear almost as large as a typical mug, but because of their thickness, the capacity is what it is.
FWIW - The mugs sold by a NorCal favorite Ritual Coffee Roasters are quite hefty. Not sure if they're quite the same as a Victor. I do love their logo too.
coffeefan101 Senior Member Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Oregon Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Sep 17, 2011, 10:56am Subject: Re: Victor coffee mugs--Yes!
DenVogel Said:
FWIW - The mugs sold by a NorCal favorite Ritual Coffee Roasters are quite hefty. Not sure if they're quite the same as a Victor. I do love their logo too.
lschwarcz Senior Member Joined: 1 Sep 2006 Posts: 134 Location: Campbell, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Krups Espresso Novo (964) Grinder: Rancilio Rocky Drip: Chemex, Press Pot &... Roaster: Behmor 1600 & Poppery II
Posted Sat Oct 29, 2011, 9:19am Subject: Re: Victor coffee mugs--Yes!
lifeandpeace Said:
In all my years of coffee enjoyment and discovery, I made one of my more exciting discoveries a couple weeks ago: Victor coffee mugs.
They have an intriguing history (bits and pieces online). Those of you who are a generation (or two) older than I are more likely to know about them. I had an interesting discovery of them while visiting a (vacant) relative's house. From the moment I picked up one of them and then used it, I knew there was something special about them.
The thickness is incomparable, the weight is amazing (1 pound, 4.75 ounces!!). The capacity is perfect for my use (6 ounces with a touch of room, 7 to the absolute rim). They appear almost as large as a typical mug, but because of their thickness, the capacity is what it is.
High-five to those of you who've known for about these incomparable mugs for a long time. And for those of you who, like me, had never heard of these mugs until recently--and you like their parameters--get in on them!
I've found my end-all everyday coffee mugs! Their practicality, weight, thickness, and rich history make them, for me, a really exciting find.
P.S. There are more "victor" imitations than there are authentic ones, which are no longer made. Learn how to distinguish the authentic from the imitators.
lschwarcz Senior Member Joined: 1 Sep 2006 Posts: 134 Location: Campbell, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Krups Espresso Novo (964) Grinder: Rancilio Rocky Drip: Chemex, Press Pot &... Roaster: Behmor 1600 & Poppery II
Posted Sat Oct 29, 2011, 9:21am Subject: Re: Victor coffee mugs--Yes!
DenVogel Said:
FWIW - The mugs sold by a NorCal favorite Ritual Coffee Roasters are quite hefty. Not sure if they're quite the same as a Victor. I do love their logo too.
I've never been up to Ritual and home roast for my beans but do you think that Ritual is better than Barefoot in Santa Clara? When I'm out and about and want a cup of coffee I'll stop there for it even if I have to drive out of my way. And, on the off chance I can't roast some for myself I'll only buy beans from them.
Thanks, Larry.
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Thanks, Larry, for posting. Yes, I've perused that site. Nice info. I emailed him some time back about my Victor discovery story. That site is just an informational site about the history. Yes, he does sell them, but they are from acquisitions he picked up some time back. According to what I've read, Victor stopped making the mugs in 1990 (because of an influx of imported cheap imitations). The company, however, still exists and still makes ceramic insulators for electrical facilities.
I'm still enjoying these every day! (Twice, at least, actually. At least one for coffee, and the one with a broken handle for my shave mug!)
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