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In the official standard reference guide, Nineteenth Century Photographic Cases and Wall Frames by Paul K. Berg, this highly detailed historical pictorial motif is cataloged as Berg 1-91, commonly titled "The Traveler" (or in some specialized collectors' guides variant notes, "Meeting on the Road").
Berg Catalog Reference ID: Berg 1-91
Rarity Rating: Scarce (S)
Case Size Grouping: Quarter-Plate
Step into the dawn of photographic history with this exceptional, museum-grade antique Quarter-Plate Thermoplastic "Union Case." Manufactured in the late 1850s (circa 1857), this stunning case represents one of the earliest successful applications of commercial thermoplastic technology, molded from a precise mixture of shellac and organic wood fibers.
The exterior displays an intricately detailed, high-relief historical pictorial narrative. The scene dramatically depicts a colonial-era gentleman traveling with his horse as he encounters a family group accompanied by a loyal dog on the road, all framed beautifully by deep, ornate Rococo scrollwork.
When opened, the interior reveals a beautifully preserved burgundy velvet pinch-pad featuring a crisp, stamped geometric medallion motif on the left. The right side houses the original oval pinchbeck brass mat, a decorative foil preserver frame, and a deep purple velvet presentation surround, ready to display your historic quarter-plate daguerreotype, ambrotype, or tintype photograph.
Product Specifications:
• Classification: Quarter-Plate Pictorial "Union Case"
• Manufacturer: Attributed to Littlefield, Parsons & Co.
• Era: Circa 1857 (Mid-19th Century Victorian / Civil War Era)
• Material: Molded Thermoplastic (Shellac and Wood Fiber Compound)
• Case Dimensions: 4.80 inches long x 4.00 inches wide x 1.00 inch thick
• Interior Details: Original Brass Oval Mat, Preserver, and Stamped Velvet Pad
• Closure: Dual Brass Hinges with Mechanical Side Clasps
Perfect For:
• Discriminating collectors of 19th-century photography, daguerreotypes, and ambrotypes.
• Historical scholars specializing in early Victorian industrial arts and thermoplastics.
• An unforgettable, premium investment-grade gift for antique enthusiasts and curators.
Packaging & Shipping:
Given the delicate, brittle nature of 160-year-old thermoplastic compositions, this collector's piece will be meticulously packed. It will be wrapped in multiple layers of non-abrasive padding, enclosed in a rigid, crush-proof box, and shipped fully insured with comprehensive tracking.
Vintage Condition Note:
This is an authentic mid-1800s antique artifact. It is in remarkable vintage condition, boasting exceptionally sharp corners, deep un-rubbed relief lines, and a beautiful uniform dark chocolate patina. The original brass hinges and side latch hooks are present and fully functional, allowing the case to close flush and snap securely shut. Minor, age-appropriate micro-flea bites may be present along the interior lip rim, consistent with gentle handling over the last century. Please inspect all high-resolution photos for exact cosmetic details.
