Not currently on display at the V&A

Mug

ca. 1988 (manufactured), ca. 1988 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Earthenware mug, cylindrical form with straight sides and thicker than normal "ear" shaped handle. Printed on the inside the mug is a motif of the Hero Mutant turtles, and the words "Teenage Mutant Hero of them all". Outside the mug the background is a city-scape; on the front of the mug the four turtles and their official logo "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle". On the back the four turtles are swinging from ropes. At the bottom the words "You're the Coolest..." in black.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Earthenware with printed decoration and glazed
Brief description
Mug, earthenware with printed decoration and glazed, designed by Harry James, copyright owned by Mirage Studios, licensed by Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd., manufactured in the Far East, designed in the US, ca. 1988.
Physical description
Earthenware mug, cylindrical form with straight sides and thicker than normal "ear" shaped handle. Printed on the inside the mug is a motif of the Hero Mutant turtles, and the words "Teenage Mutant Hero of them all". Outside the mug the background is a city-scape; on the front of the mug the four turtles and their official logo "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle". On the back the four turtles are swinging from ropes. At the bottom the words "You're the Coolest..." in black.
Dimensions
  • Height: 9.2cm
  • Width: 12cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Teenage Mutant Hero of them all' (Printed on the inside of the mug)
  • 'Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle' (Printed on the front of the mug)
  • 'You're the Coolest...' (Printed in black on the bottom of the mug)
  • 'C An exclusive Harry James TM Design R C Mirage Studios. Licensed by Copyright Promotions Ltd.' (In black glaze)
Object history
Part of the Mug Project and also part of a small collection of Turtles Ephemera. The Hero Mutant Turtles were perhaps the most successful children's marketing campaign of all time.
Subject depicted
Literary referenceTeenage Mutant Hero Turtles
Collection
Accession number
C.130-1991

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Record createdNovember 7, 2008
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