Mug: DAD, Papel Imports, Her Majesty Burrell 1897 Steam Locomotive, Japan, 1975

This 1975 Papel Imports ceramic mug, made in Japan, features "Her Majesty" — a Showman's Road Locomotive designed and built in 1897 by Charles Burrell & Sons of Thetford, Norfolk, England — beneath "DAD" lettered across the top in an antique script. This is exactly the kind of mug that was made to mean something.

• Maker: Papel Imports
• Materials: Ceramic (transfer print)
• Dimensions: 3.5"H × 3.5" diameter
• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1975
• Condition: Good vintage. Dark mark inside — unable to remove. Base shows wear from use. No chips, cracks, or scratches. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.

The transfer-printed locomotive scene has fine, detailed linework, with "DAD" lettered across the top in an antique script that gives the whole piece a considered, gift-worthy feel.

It's a perfect Father's Day gift for the dad who loves trains, steam engines, British history, or simply a mug with a story behind it.

Burrell was one of the great names in British steam engineering, and the Showman's engine — built to power fairground rides and light up traveling shows with its onboard dynamo — was among his most spectacular creations, making her portrait a genuinely excellent choice for a DAD mug. Papel Imports, founded by Phil Papel in 1955, is widely credited as the first company to introduce personalized mugs as a gift category.

Browse our shop for more vintage transfer-print mugs and Father's Day gifts.