I could not find a thread so please link me to it if there is one. Pictures of fading (if any) would be appreciated.

I am looking for small # of Illy espresso cups with artwork. Friends and family state my serving vessels are too austere. I currently use Bodum double wall glass for espresso. I love Bodum as no need to preheat and adds to espresso porn when used with a naked portafilter. I knew I should have bought the Pedro Almodovar set (like his movies and Penelope Cruz is quite easy on the eyes) when they were first released but I wanted to avoid conflicts with the Boss. If I bought the Almodovar set now (based on completed eBay sales) there definitely will be huge conflicts.
https://www.google.com/search?q=illy+pe ... kBlY5bZVM:

So in browsing Ebay, I see this candidate purchase.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-VERY-RARE- ... SwNRdX9Pm6
It has some Jackson Pollock elements and one saucer even reminds me of Eddie Van Halen's 1984 guitar face. With shipping, it works to about $38.16/cup& saucer which appears in typical range for rarer Illy espresso cups& saucers

The only thing holding me back is I am afraid they may fade over time. I would only hand wash these cups.

Thank you in advance for the help.

While I have quite a few illy collections - like the 1994 Luca Trazzi, the David Byrne series, Los Ninio's Cambieremos Del mundo, no water no coffee, Subirachs, pistoletto foundation cups and many many others, I have to admit none have faded, (unfortunately?, nah).

I can take pictures but none have faded.

The only ones I'd be careful with is the Kentridge mirrored cups (hence they are still in the box) and the Luca Trazzi veneXia gold and silver (don't worry - if regular collection looks expensive to you don't even go there...)...

Assaf, thanks for the reply and describing your impressive Illy cup experience!

I haven't noticed any fading on the Illy art cup I found at a thrift store. Didn't find the saucer, though.

I bought a few of the Pedro Almodovar cappuccino bar cups pretty inexpensively. The art is as nice, but not the collection. Also the saucers are plain, not illustrated. You might be on the lookout for bar cups. I put them in the dishwasher and no fading.

For example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ILLY-2009-trade ... 2184204213

I bought a pair of these that have been handwashed a couple of dozen time with no visible wear.

https://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/20 ... -demitasse

Friends and family state my serving vessels are too austere.

...

TRANSLATED: "The free coffee you serve you needs to be in better looking cups."
Maybe inform them the the new rule is BYOC.

LOL regarding BYOC idea!! I think I am already a "coffee-nazi" enough in that I never give those friends and family sugar (even if they ask for it with the sole exception being my mother-in-law). I do give them demitasse spoon if served straight espresso to stir in the crema.

I do not want to assume anything but there are some at my work who do not get the "_____-Nazi" reference (just happened last week). So for those unfamiliar:
http://seinfeld.wikia.com/wiki/The_Soup_Nazi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WRxEY8o3kc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOIGCyAR-0w
Off topic, I met Larry Thomas at a pop-culture convention and yes he was selling signed soup cans.

I do not want to assume anything but there are some at my work who do not get the "_____-Nazi" reference (just happened last week). So for those unfamiliar: ..<snip> ...

Interesting. My coffee pusher (roasting only single-origin, monovariety pure Arabica) uses to take hostage from their saucers the small spoon of worthwhile customers , never to be seen again (no hope of showing off a couple of weeks later with a straight face and ordering a different drink, I tried this, but his memory is undefeated, he will recognize you none the less and, no, he won't give to you the spoon). Heh. The Nazi Barista. I surmise he wouldn't be pleased