Vintage Smiley Face Collectors Mug

A cheerful ceramic mug decorated with the iconic yellow smiley face design. Bright and instantly recognisable, it captures the optimism and playful spirit of late 20th‑century pop culture. A fun collectible for fans of retro advertising, kitchenware, and nostalgic design.

The Smiley Face by Harvey Ball

The smiley face was first created in 1963 by Harvey Ball, a graphic artist, as part of a morale‑boosting campaign. By the 1970s, it had become a global symbol of happiness, widely used in advertising, merchandise, and everyday products.

In Britain, mugs and other household items featuring the smiley face became popular souvenirs and kitchenware, embodying the “Have a Nice Day” culture of the era. The design later found new life in 1980s rave culture and early digital emoticons, cementing its place as one of the most enduring icons of modern design.

Today, smiley face mugs are prized by collectors of pop culture memorabilia, retro advertising, and kitchen nostalgia, offering a tangible link to the optimism and playful design trends of the 1970s–80s.