Lately I’ve been spending time identifying a variety of props found in Twin Peaks. I love the thrill of the hunt and the endorphin rush when I finally find a match. This effort to identify all of the props has turned into a team sport which is fantastic! After I published an article about a Con-way Central Express (CCX) Trucking mug, fellow Bookhouse Boy Jason McMahan contacted me about another mug he identified at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department.
Jason sent me a direct message via Facebook on October 9, 2020 stating he had found the mugs seen hanging next to the CCX Trucking mug in episode 2.004. His note read: “FOUND IT! Thermo-Serv Insulated Palm Tree Burlap Mug. Jason also sent screen caps along with a link to eBay that I used to purchase the replicas.
DETAILS ABOUT THERMO-SERV COMPANY
In 1952, Nelson F. Cornelius founded Thermo-Serv to manufacture screw machine parts. Based in Anoka, Minnesota, the company began making injection-molding plastics around 1956. One of it’s first and most iconic pieces was a black and gold thermal coffee server.
Interestingly, Anoka is known as “Halloween Capital of the World” because it hosted one of the first Halloween parades in 1920.
According to a post on Thermo-Serv’s website from around 2010, the success of the carafe “led to the introduction of many insulated plastic mugs, steins and tumblers. In addition, a full line of non-thermal drinkware was produced.”
In 1965, the West Bend Company acquired NFC Engineering Co., the parent company of Thermo-Serv. The company continued manufacturing drinkware and more in the years that followed. I particularly remember Thermo-Serv souvenir mugs at Walt Disney World Resort in the 1970s and ’80s.
After acquiring the plastics division of Aladdin Industries in 2002, the company re-established the Thermo-Serv brand with new Doublewall-Insulated Mugs and Travel Products, Foam-Insulated Mugs, and Stainless Steel Mugs and Travel Tumblers.
In 2006 drinkware makers Betras Plastics Inc. of Spartanburg, South Carolina and the now Dallas-based Thermo-Serv Ltd. merged to create New Thermo-Serv Ltd.
Today, the company is known as NLT Brands continues producing “Made in America” ThermoServ products. Visit them online at ThermoServ.com.
TAHITIAN HOLIDAY MUG
The mugs used in Seasons 1 and 2 were from their Tahitian Holiday line. The images above show the mugs in their original packaging.
The bottom of the mugs I purchased had an “N.F.C.” logo and several patent numbers listed – 3,094,446; 5,077,286; and D194,055.
Searching the latter on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website, I uncovered the original cup drawing (Patent D194,055) that Mr. Cornelius submitted on July 24, 1961. The patent was granted on November 13, 1962.
Here are some detailed shots of one of the mugs.
Now that we know what the mug looks like, let’s see where it appears in Seasons 1 and 2.
APPEARANCES OF TAHITIAN HOLIDAY MUG IN TWIN PEAKS SEASON 1
The first time we see the mugs is in episode 1.002 when Special Agent Albert Rosenfield is waiting in the lobby for Cooper and Sheriff Truman. They will remain in this spot for all of the first season.
There is also a large sized coffee tumbler with similar design on the counter. Once the winning auction lot arrives at my place, I’ll update this article with images.
We get a better shot of the hanging mugs when Deputy Andy Brennan leaves the conference room in episode 1.004.
They make one more appearance in episode 1.007 when Deputy Andy confronts Lucy Moran in the kitchen.
You can barely see one of the mugs hanging above the handwritten sign.
APPEARANCES OF TAHITIAN HOLIDAY MUG IN TWIN PEAKS SEASON 2
With the start of the second season the mugs begin migrating to different spots throughout the kitchen. In episode 2.004, one mug is hanging on antlers above a green coffee mug.
Later in the episode, we see another mug hanging next to the CCX Trucking mug.
Jason also pointed out to me the the same Sweetheart Brand cup that Agent Cooper drinks from in episode 2.009 is seen sitting on the coffee maker.
Three mugs are placed in different spots in episode 2.005 – one by the dish soap, one by the platter of doughnuts and one hanging on antlers.
When Truman leans over while speaking with Lucy we get a better look.
Mugs moved around again in episode 2.008 when we see Lucy holding Gwen’s baby. Has anyone identified who that child is today?
A mug jumps back to the antlers in episode 2.009.
It remains on the antlers in the subsequent episode when Cooper is stopped by Agent Hardy.
The only time a mug leaves the kitchen is in episode 2.012 when Colonel Riley visits Sheriff Truman and Deputy Dale to discuss Major Briggs’ disappearance.
I’m assuming it’s the mug that the Colonel uses since it’s positioned closest to him.
Thank you again to Jason for his assistance with identifying this prop.
