Antique Union Case F.B. Smith & Hartmann New York + 2 Photos Victorian 1850s USA For Sale

Antique Union Case F.B. Smith & Hartmann New York + 2 Photos Victorian 1850s USA

• A thermoplastic Union Case with 2 photographs
• Made in the USA by F. B. Smith & Hartmann, New York. The firm was anchored by Frederick B. Smith, a highly regarded American engraver (born in New York City in 1811). Smith learned his trade as an apprentice under the legendary early American engraver Charles Cushing Wright. Before partnering with Herman Hartmann. The partnership dissolved around the era of the American Civil War
• The case features their most famous design depicting a rural dance scene
• Produced from 1852 through the 1860s to house fragile photographic formats
• The early thermoplastic material was a moulded mixture of shellac, wood fibre (or sawdust) and pigments
• There are signs of wear and damage with age and use including:
• The border around the left hand frame and photo slip out of position and can be gently coaxed/tapped back into place - it needs remounting, but I have left it alone as the metal frame section appears fragile
• The left hand photo side is missing the bottom frame section
• The right-hand photo has a crack running through it - the top glass section is not cracked
• The case has a few chips, cracks and notches to it
• There are surface marks and wear with age and use
• The case measures 12.4 cm x 10.1 cm x 2.5 cm when closed
• 334 g in weight
• All measurements are approximate
• Please view all of the photographs