It's Been Around Since The '90s — The Artsy Mug That Collectors Dream Of Finding At Thrift Stores

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The Italian coffee roaster Illy, founded in the city of Trieste by the Illy family, has been selling premium coffee products for three generations. While this iconic coffee roaster has been around since the 1930s, some of their most sought-after mugs were created in the 1990s. Starting in the early '90s, Illy partnered with famous artists to add art to the brand's classic white cups to create the Illy Art Collection. The usual Illy-branded espresso mug features a simple red logo on a blank white base, but this collection is the result of collaborations with dozens of contemporary artists. With mugs from over 100 artists made over the last 34 years, it can be an exciting challenge for an avid fan to collect a variety of these tiny cups.  

The story of Illy Art Collection mugs begins in 1992 with one famous Italian designer: Matteo Thun. He designed a small porcelain cup with a perfectly circular handle and paired it with a simple, round saucer. That cup became the canvas for artists to add their unique art, and the project has continued into the 21st century, with notable names like Louise Bourgeois and Jeff Koons designing mugs for the collection. Depending on the year and the artist, an Illy mug can be one of the most valuable mugs you could find at a thrift store. Only a limited amount of mugs from each collection are produced, which means some collectors could wait years to find their favorite mug.

On paper, spotting a mug from the Illy Art Collection seems pretty simple. Look out for the classic shape and the circular handle. These mugs are also clearly labeled, with "Illy" and "Art Collection" written on the inside rim near the top. The bottom of the cup should also be numbered and signed with the artist's name. Despite these visible indicators, you can just as easily pass by one of these demitasses without even realizing it if you're not looking closely. There are just too many styles, ranging from intricately to simply decorated, to look out for. Because Illy typically releases two to four collections every year, there are over 200 cups to seek out. If you do happen to stumble upon one for a good price, make sure you learn how to authenticate your latest thrifting find with a reputable expert, though checking the markings is a good first clue.

There are several mugs from the Illy Art Collection that could only be found at thrift stores in someone's wildest dreams. For example, the 1995 Teatro collection designed by Emanuele Luzzatisold only 5,000 cups and can be found selling for $295 on eBay. Thankfully, not all Illy mugs are so rare and expensive. You can find a 2001 Artistas do Brasil cup on eBay for $26.95. If you become inspired to start collecting Illy Art Collection mugs, there are fun and creative ways to display your mug collection, like placing them on a mug rack or in a glass cabinet.