Additional information
| Weight | 2 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7 × 7 × 5 in |
| Quantity | 1 Mug, 2 Mugs, 3 Mugs, 4 Mugs, 5 Mugs, 6 Mugs, 7 Mugs, 8 Mugs, 9 Mugs, 10 Mugs |
Coffee Mug
$39.95
Like its full size big brother, this 16oz sized Toby Mug is an EXACT REPLICA of the original prop that was used in both the movie and the TV series- just in miniature. It is hand crafted and painted to our exacting standards to give your coffee mug its characteristic “knocked-around-a-bit” look yet maintains a high gloss, quality finish.
Whether you’re “on a mission” or relaxing watching the movie, we know you will enjoy drinking from this iconic piece of history as much as we do!
$39.95 each + S&H
Made in China
International Shipping Available
*Please allow for up to a month for delivery for international orders
*We are not responsible for the extended
time it may take to arrive
nctarheel0302 (verified owner) –
As an owner of a 1959 Dick Turpin Toby Mug and awed by the message conveyed by the plot of the 1949 “Twelve O’clock High” movie, I was hoping to some day find an actual 918 Bomb Group Toby reproduction. That came to fruition with the discovery of the kind folks at Archbury LLC. Not only did the mug arrive sooner than expected, it came boxed in a display package decorated with a movie photo of Major Harvey Stoval as he turned the mug on the mantle of the Group Quonset hut. The Archbury LLC mug is a high quality piece of art (functional I might add) that will accompany Dick Turpin on my mantle. Thank you Archbury LLC. I will not rehash the movie but should mention that it was one of the more successful attempts to school the viewing audience to the uncontrolled impact of wartime stress, probably placing first to an earlier movie, “The Best Years of Our Lives.” The 918th Toby, as well as the movie, is an ever-present reminder.
Larry Groves (verified owner) –
I was introduced to the movie “Twelve O’Clock High” nearly 35 years ago during Squadron Officers School at Maxwell AFB AL. Excerpts from the film were shown to illustrate positive and negative principles of organizational leadership. Years later, I encountered a revered replica of the movie’s toby mug in the officers’ club of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB MO. It was facing outward which represented the wing’s constant readiness for any assigned mission. I’m proud to have my own version of this cinematic icon now gracing a prominent place in the parlor of my home. Thank you very much for making this special memento available.
Bruce Tanner (verified owner) –
My experience purchasing the small Toby mug from Archbury Classics on 1-14-21 was excellent in every way. Was mailed quickly, well packaged, and it looks great! The small one is big enough for me, since it will not be displayed in a large Officer’s Club, but on my living room mantle. Many Thanks!
Samuel Hartwell –
Dear Pete, find an other country than China to produce it! PLEASE!! – Sam
admin –
Thank you for your feedback Sam. We completely understand the thoughts that come with being produced in China. We tried very hard to have it made in the US but the final retail price would have been close to $100. This product is sourced through an American company that has been in business for over 100 years. If you read Pete’s previous response under our comments, he explains in great detail why we made our decision. Thank you!
FM Connors –
Finally! After many years of searching for this iconic piece, I found it. Why I I could not find Archbury Classics is a mystery to me. A few years back, I read on the Eighth Air Force Museum/Association web site that they sold these mugs and had exclusive rights to sell but they had sold out of their supply so whether their exclusivity claim is right, I don’t know. What I did know is that the supply and purchase trail was dry and that was both disappointing and frustrating. But persistence pays off!
I purchased a couple more Toby mugs (Christmas presents) for two very good friends, both military aviators. I won’t get into the aircraft they flew because that might give it away if somehow they stumble upon this website. I do know they’re gonna be tongue tied when they see their gift and they’ll ask, “Where the #$% did you find this?”
Even though the movie was fiction, the story is fundamentally accurate about what Eighth Air Force faced in daylight bombing missions over Europe and Germany. This Toby Mug is an important piece of iconography to the history of the USAAF and eventually the USAF. Soooo…a big Bravo Zulu to Archbury Classics!
William T. Marske (verified owner) –
Having recently received a full-sized Toby mug, I decided it would be great if I could buy one of the coffee mugs, as well, but at the time, they were sold out. I received word several months later that the coffee mugs were available again, so I promptly ordered one, and I received it about a week after that. I am delighted with this mug as well as the package it is boxed in, so I am keeping it in that box as a remembrance to my father’s service in the Eighth Air Force. Many thanks to Pete Plumb and Archbury Classics for a great product that I will forever cherish.
LynnBishop –
Received the coffee mug today and I am pleased with the execution of the representation of the original mug, however, I was disappointed to see it was made in China. All the company history seemed to show the products are made in California, USA.
Certainly the price does not reflect a Chinese made import. I am happy to have the cup in spite of my concerns.
admin –
Hello Lynn,
I’m very glad that you received your long-awaited 918th Toby Coffee mug and you are generally pleased with it. I’m also glad to hear your comment about it being made in China as it will give me an opportunity to expound on some “behind the scenes” info about the manufacture of these products.
Going back to 1994 when I first introduced the full sized replica, I started with a small Mom N’ Pop custom slip-casting (the process by which they are made) company based in the Los Angeles area. My demand quickly outgrew what they could provide so I found another [larger] custom slip-casting company in Compton, CA to take over but the reduction in quality was almost unbearable for me. Fortunately, they moved operations to Mexico and I did not go with them. By a stroke of good luck I found yet another ceramic tile company right here in Bakersfield that had a very industrious art department manager who wanted to expand into custom slip-casting so the Toby Jug became their first subject and they were beautiful! After about 4 years of production, the company was bought out and closed. In the early 2000s I found another Mom N’ Pop slip-casting company up in Jackson, CA (then later Boise, ID) who brought the quality up another notch. I was with her for about 15 years before she retired due to health problems.
Twenty years had elapsed since I started this venture and, much to my surprise when I started to source a new manufacturer, almost EVERY U.S. custom slip-caster and mold shop had closed or moved. Shelley and I found our current manufacturer up in Michigan by another stroke of luck and with some new, updated and much more accurate tooling, we contracted with her to make our Jugs – THE FINEST and MOST ACCURATE to date! She is a small company, however, and we keep her pretty slammed with making our large, 2 quart full size Jugs along with everything else she makes. When I got the model for the coffee mugs done, naturally I sent her a mold and had her make a few and return an RFQ (Request For Quote) for 2500 to 5000 coffee mugs. She declined the job due to the shear quantities we needed in the allotted time. Even if she could have made them for us, our retail price would have been just under $90.00 which would have defeated our goal of providing our Twelve O’clock High fans with a less expensive option to our Collectible Full Size Jug. With NO remaining U.S. custom slip-casters available, we had no option but to try overseas.
I probably don’t need to tell you that our first attempt at sourcing them in China was a disaster. We took a huge loss on that hard lesson learned. This go-around, we sourced the product through an American company in Maryland who has been sourcing and producing high quality ceramics in China since the start of the 20th century. The manufactured price was significantly less than quoted here in the States so we were able to pass that savings on to you. I don’t understand your statement “Certainly the price does not reflect a Chinese made import” unless you forgot to include the words “cheap Chinese import”. Correct me if I’m wrong but 39 bucks for a high quality, custom-made ceramic Toby Coffee mug sounds more than fair to me – regardless of where it is made!
One last thing to remember: When you buy American products made in China such as our coffee mugs, more AMERICANS benefit from this product than anybody! China receives only a fraction of the total cost of me getting that product in your hands. If you follow the logistics through, we hired an American company to source it for us. Americans then organized and put into motion the wheels that made it happen. When the production was finished, an American Freight Forwarder was contracted to arrange overseas shipping and an American shipping company brought them over. American dock workers in Los Angeles unloaded, warehoused, then loaded them into trucks so American truckers could transport them across country for distribution. Finally, our American warehouse employs American workers to package, label and ship them out to you.
We live in a World economy with world-wide cooperation to survive these days. Rest assured, your purchase pumped a large percentage of your purchase price back into your American economy and communities.
Pete Plumb
Creator and Original Licensee 918th BG Toby
Dean Mccann –
always wanted one !
Donald G Hattier DC –
Bought the big one. We use it in USAAF impressions and are a big hit! Looking forward to the Coffee cup as well.
TC Chattam (verified owner) –
I wanted a full size for a long time. When I found out the cup size was in the works, I waited. I received one of the first ones on April 2nd. I was impressed with the look and feel of the cup. Then the 6th I received an email “some of the “pre-launch sale” mugs had an application of brown paint on the hair and mustache in an effort to cover a poorly fired glaze.” Looked it over and found I had one. I could have sent it back but I decided to keep it but not use it. I think the flaw adds character. I built a shelf to put it and my other 8th Army Air Force things on in my office. When I’m out of the office and out of town it’s facing the wall so my kids know I’m gone on a mission. (now that I’m retired)
When there in nothing on TV I can always watch 12 O’clock High seasons or the movie on my computer.
I will be getting more to use on the next release and I still want a full size too.
Get you one or two, you won’t regret it.
Mitchell Sauget –
I loved the movie and I always wanted a Coffee Mug Single. I first saw the movie when I was a kid around 1960 or, there about. Since then, I’ve watched the movie at least 25 times. In fact, I just finished the movie and I am going to purchase a mug. CHEERS!