Description
What is this coaster?
It is a single 4 inch square ceramic tile, printed edge to edge with Xplorer Maps’ hand-drawn illustrated map of the Black Hills region. The front is glazed ceramic. The back is cork, which keeps the coaster from sliding on a table and stops the hard tile from scratching wood. Xplorer Maps is a family-owned shop in Missoula, Montana, run by two brothers. The artwork is by co-owner Chris Robitaille, who hand-draws the original maps that get cut down into the coasters, mugs, prints, and puzzles in their catalog.
The map on this coaster covers the Black Hills National Forest and the surrounding region. The illustration labels Rapid City, Sturgis, and other towns, and picks out landmarks across the area including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Devils Tower National Monument, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Wind Cave National Park. Flora and fauna are drawn into the map too: bison, elk, mountain goats, pine trees, and native flowers.
The coaster is sold as a single tile. If you want a set, buy four (or mix and match with other Xplorer Maps designs BHPFA carries).
Specifications
- Dimensions: 4″ x 4″ (also listed by some retailers as 3 5/16″ x 3 5/16″ for the printed area)
- Weight: 3.7 oz
- Material: ceramic tile, glazed front, cork backing
- Artist: Chris Robitaille, Xplorer Maps (Missoula, MT)
- Origin: made in the USA
- Quantity: sold individually
- Care: hand wash with a damp soft cloth, no abrasive pads or cleaners
Who is this for?
Anyone who has driven the loop through the Black Hills and wants a small reminder on the coffee table. The map is specific enough that you can point at where you stayed or where you hiked.
Gift shoppers looking for something under ten dollars that is not a keychain or a magnet. A single coaster works as a stocking stuffer or an add-on. Four coasters work as a housewarming gift.
Collectors of Xplorer Maps’ illustrated regional designs. If someone has the Black Hills mug or the wood sign, the matching coaster completes the set.
Frequently asked questions
Is this one coaster or a set?
One coaster. It is sold individually at $5.00. If you want a matching set of four, add four to your cart.
Does it actually absorb water?
Yes. The unglazed ceramic body pulls moisture off the bottom of a cold glass, which is why condensation rings do not pool under the drink. That is the main job of the coaster beyond just protecting the surface.
How do I clean it?
Hand wash with a damp soft cloth. Do not use abrasive pads or harsh cleaners, since those can scratch the glaze. If a stain sets in from coffee or wine, warm water and a soft cloth usually lift it.
Is it dishwasher safe?
No. Xplorer Maps recommends hand washing only. The combination of ceramic and glued cork backing is not built for repeat dishwasher cycles.
What is actually drawn on the coaster?
The Black Hills region map by Chris Robitaille. It shows the Black Hills National Forest, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, Rapid City, Sturgis, and regional wildlife (bison, elk, mountain goats, birds, pine trees, native flowers).
Who makes these?
Xplorer Maps, a family-owned shop in Missoula, Montana. The brothers who run the company do the illustration and the design; the ceramic production is done in the USA. Xplorer Maps is a member of 1% for the Planet and donates a share of sales to conservation efforts.
Does buying this support the Black Hills National Forest?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
Is the Black Hills National Forest a Passport to Your National Parks stamp location?
No. The Passport program is NPS only, so National Forest sites do not have cancellation stamps. If you are collecting Passport stamps while you are in the Black Hills, stop at Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument. Scotts Bluff National Monument and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (both in western Nebraska) are the other two BHPFA partner stamp locations.
Related items
- All Black Hills National Forest products
- Black Hills Xplorer Map Poster (the full-size print of the same artwork)
