Thermoplastic Union Case by Littlefield, Parsons 1856 Highy Detailed of Man and Woman Playing Chess

A Wonderful and in Near Perfect Cond. Thermoplastic Union Case by Littlefield, Parsons & Co. Circa 1856
Sometimes called Gutta-Percha cases and or Union Cases. For a great history lesson, please read this article from Old Photographic, an on line magazine about the history of early Photography:

"The term Union was coined in 1854 by Samuel Peck who was a daguerreotypist in the United States, and who invented the process of making the early plastic cases used for protecting and housing the daguerreotype image which is very prone to any type of scratch or abrasion. The Term "Union" refers to the material construction of the cases, and is derived from the "union" of the cases components; shellac, sawdust, other chemicals and dye for coloring the cases, which was usually black or brown. When these components were mixed together, heated and pressed into a mold, the parts of a Union Case are formed and because of the way they were made, the parts of the cases could take on fine, and in some cases, elaborate details which most Union cases display. This composition material, was and is still called Thermoplastic, and is actually one of the earliest forms of plastic."

This Union Case is in near perfect condition, with only a small chip on the top right corner, please see the photos.
The subject is a scene of a man and woman engaged in a Chess Match. Inside the matt and Glass are intact with the original paper add for "Littlefield, Parsons & Co.

There is no Photo in this case

Size: 2 1/2 x 3
Condition: Near Perfect, one little chip top right corner.

If you have any questions or need additional images, please feel free to email me.