Crypto-Mugs. Do these legends exist and who has them? - Collecting Tiki

T Tattoo Tiki Socialite Los Angeles Joined: Sep 24, 2005 Posts: 321	T Tattoo Posted posted on Wed, Sep 21, 2016 9:09 AM Finally found an original version of this iconic Trader Vic fog cutter mug by Tepco! I first learned of this version through this post about a Tepco seminar: http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=40077&forum=17 The Tepco version is a bit different in that it is taller (8 1/2”) and most noticeably is that the “Trader Vic’s Old Time XXX Rum” wording on the barrel is on a white smooth background. In all other versions of this mug the barrel is completely painted with the wording over the brown of the barrel. The ribs on the barrel are actually in the mold and part of the relief (very noticeable in the picture above) while the white area with the lettering is smooth. All the other versions, the whole barrel is one simple smooth relief without any ribs. Tepco version: The more common version with the wording over the brown of the barrel and the barrel is completely smooth: With the Tepco version, the brown (or green) rims are wider and in general the painting is more detailed. Although this can vary widely with Tepco as can be seen by great variety in the Samoan Hula Girl fog cutter. There are also the other tell tale Tepco signs - in case it isn’t marked (they aren’t always). It is extremely thick and heavy. And because of the Vitrified firing process (super high heat) it is rock hard and has little to no crazing. With the Vitrified firing process most Tepco pieces often look brand new even if they’re 50+ years old. It can be a bit confusing to collectors. This mug is actually EXTREMELY rare. In my many years of collecting, I've never seen one on eBay. Of course doing some research I discovered that one was sold on ebay just a few months ago. Not sure how I missed it although having a newborn was probably one of the reasons :). So go through your collections and see if you have a Tepco version of this mug and please post. Or any other Tepco pieces you might have. All their mugs seem to be crypto. [ Edited by: tattoo 2016-09-21 17:10 ] [ Edited by: tattoo 2016-09-22 12:39 ]

Finally found an original version of this iconic Trader Vic fog cutter mug by Tepco!

I first learned of this version through this post about a Tepco seminar:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=40077&forum=17

The Tepco version is a bit different in that it is taller (8 1/2”) and most noticeably is that the “Trader Vic’s Old Time XXX Rum” wording on the barrel is on a white smooth background. In all other versions of this mug the barrel is completely painted with the wording over the brown of the barrel. The ribs on the barrel are actually in the mold and part of the relief (very noticeable in the picture above) while the white area with the lettering is smooth. All the other versions, the whole barrel is one simple smooth relief without any ribs.

Tepco version:

The more common version with the wording over the brown of the barrel and the barrel is completely smooth:

With the Tepco version, the brown (or green) rims are wider and in general the painting is more detailed. Although this can vary widely with Tepco as can be seen by great variety in the Samoan Hula Girl fog cutter.

There are also the other tell tale Tepco signs - in case it isn’t marked (they aren’t always). It is extremely thick and heavy. And because of the Vitrified firing process (super high heat) it is rock hard and has little to no crazing.

With the Vitrified firing process most Tepco pieces often look brand new even if they’re 50+ years old. It can be a bit confusing to collectors.

This mug is actually EXTREMELY rare. In my many years of collecting, I've never seen one on eBay. Of course doing some research I discovered that one was sold on ebay just a few months ago. Not sure how I missed it although having a newborn was probably one of the reasons :).

So go through your collections and see if you have a Tepco version of this mug and please post. Or any other Tepco pieces you might have. All their mugs seem to be crypto.

[ Edited by: tattoo 2016-09-21 17:10 ]

[ Edited by: tattoo 2016-09-22 12:39 ]

Post #768858 by Tattoo on Wed, Sep 21, 2016 9:09 AM