1985 - Stoneware Mugs (straight-sided)
(9 oz)  Available Patterns: Bayscape, Sandscape, Skyscape, Calico Rose, Blue Floral, Lace Bouquet, Windflower, Embroidery, Blue Lily, Country Violets, Forever Yours, Rose, Summer Blossoms, Apple Harvest, Blossoms In Lace, Colonial Blue, First of Spring, Nutmeg, Thermique Co-ordinated Mugs (Black, Cocoa, Royal), solid beige and more.

First of Spring, Rose, solid beige, Blue Lily.  The second and fourth mugs have slightly different handles than the other two.
 
This style of mug was first seen in 1985 with the Natural Images product line which included a new wider rimmed plate shape and a beige background.  Mugs matching this group of patterns are solid beige with a single coloured band at the rim. 

(Photo: mugs matching Calico Rose.)

In 1986, Livingware patterns on a coupe plate style were produced in beige for the first time and these patterns came with solid coloured stoneware mugs.  At least two white-bodied patterns came with solid coloured mugs too.

Another new item in 1986 was a Thermique thermal carafe set which included mugs decorated with a coloured band.  These sets came in three colour choices, two with a white background and one on beige.  

At least three more Sandstone Corelle patterns were launched in 1988, and this marked the first time that actual patterns appeared on these mugs.

Stoneware straight-sided mugs generally have the same wording on the backstamps: "CORNING ... Corning, NY, USA ...  Microwave Safe (or Microwavable)".  The stamps are printed in grey, black, green or blue ink.  The numbers and letters on the stamp seem to be insignificant.
            
Although Corning's address is printed on the mugs, this is not a formal statement of their country of origin, and it does not actually say they are made in the USA.  The mugs were definitely produced overseas, and many came with a small "Made in Japan" sticker, and some had labels stating "Made in Thailand. 

Once a beige version of Suprema was available, about 1991, it became unnecessary to import stoneware mugs.  This mug style would be reproduced in both white and Sandstone Suprema with a slimmer handle. There is also variance among stoneware mugs themselves; some look a lot chunkier and thicker than others.

(Photo: Mugs matching Forever Yours (left) and Summer Blossoms (right).  The colour of Forever Yours mugs is somewhere between turquoise and pale green.)

(Photo below right: Thermique insulated carafe and matching mugs; White with Black.)

Colour Schemes:

Beige with coloured band (Natural Images):

Bayscape, Sandscape, Skyscape - brown band
Lace Bouquet, Windflower - light blue-grey band
Calico Rose - light green band
Blue Floral - dark navy blue band
Embroidery - medium blue band

Solid coloured (Livingware):

Angles - black
Blue Lily - light blue
Country Violets - dark blue
Forever Yours - turquoise / lt. green
Rose - coral
Summer Blossoms - green

Patterned: 
Apple Harvest*, Blossoms In Lace, Colonial Blue, First of Spring, Nutmeg.

Thermique Co-ordinated Mugs:

White with Black - white with black band 
Tan with Cocoa - beige with brown band
Slate Blue with Royal - white with dark blue band

Country Dove came with solid-coloured mugs, probably dark blue, but their exact colour is unknown.  There is also an undecorated solid beige mug, it is not known to which set it belongs.

* - There is more than one pattern named Apple Harvest.  This one, with straight-sided stoneware mugs, has a beige background and the design is primarily blue and red, with a picket fence and a tall basket stacked with apples.  It is from Natural Images with a standard rimmed plate style, and there are stoneware Images cups in this pattern as well.


Related Articles:

Compare Suprema & Stoneware Mugs
Natural Images (1985)
Livingware (Beige) (1986)

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