Walgreens Commemorative Centennial Mug with Deed of Authenticity

This item is a commemorative ceramic coffee mug produced for Walgreens employees to celebrate the company's centennial anniversary (circa 2001). The mug features a wraparound colorful illustration by artist Katherine Bennet, who at the time was a Walgreens employee. The artwork depicts the first Walgreens store, established in 1901 by Charles R. Walgreen Sr. at 4134 Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago. The illustration shows a detailed storefront with a blue and white striped awning labeled 'DRESSINGS' and figures in period-appropriate turn-of-the-century attire. The mug is made of white glazed stoneware or porcelain with a standard C-curved handle. It is accompanied by an original 100th-anniversary 'Deed of Authenticity,' which provides historical context, artist attribution, and is signed (in print) by C.R. Walgreen III, then-chairman of the company. The document is printed on cream-colored paper with a decorative border and the 'W' Walgreens logo. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or fading to the transfer-ware image. The deed shows minor creasing from storage but remains fully legible and intact. This piece serves as a significant corporate artifact representing the transition into Walgreens' second century of service.