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**Item Title:** Antique c. 1857 Quarter-Plate Thermoplastic Union Case with 1890s Tintype Portrait**Case Maker:** A.P. Critchlow & Co. (or Littlefield, Parsons & Co.)
**Case Design:** "Sir Roger de Coverly and the Gypsies' Fortune"
**Case Era:** Circa 1857
**Photo Era:** Circa 1890s (based on Victorian "leg-of-mutton" fashion sleeves)**Description:**
For sale is a complete, authentic 19th-century thermoplastic "Union Case" housing an original Victorian tintype portrait of a man and woman. The front cover features the highly detailed, ornate relief scene "Sir Roger de Coverly and the Gypsies' Fortune," surrounded by a crisp scrollwork border.The case interior is lined with its original, beautifully preserved deep plum velvet pad featuring an embossed chandelier/geometric motif. The photograph is safely held behind its original protective glass, bordered by an intricate, stamped gold-tone brass mat and a secure metal pinch frame.**Condition Notes:**
- **Exterior:** The main relief scene and details are sharp and undamaged. There is minor, typical cosmetic chipping on the extreme edges of the top-left and bottom-right corners (common for brittle historic plastics of this age). No major structural cracks.
- **Interior:** The original brass hinges are fully functional, sturdy, and intact. The case opens and closes smoothly. The velvet pad retains great color with minimal wear.
- **Photo:** Clear, well-preserved image with typical light surface dust behind the glass.**Dimensions:** Fits standard quarter-plate format (approx. 4" x 5" external dimensions).Please examine all photos carefully to evaluate the condition. Ships securely packed to ensure safety during transit.
