91066

Gutta Percha Union Case and Handsome Ambrotype

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Photographic Images Start Price:31.25 USD Estimated At:125.00 - 225.00 USD
Gutta Percha Union Case and Handsome Ambrotype
<B>Gutta Percha Union Case and Handsome Ambrotype of a Couple.</B></I> The maker of this case was Littlefield, Parson & Co., who were in business from 1857 to 1866 so this ambrotype likely dates to that period (their clothes also attest to this hypothesis). The image depicts a young couple seated next to each other. The ambrotype is hand tinted on the faces and the gold necklace the women wears. The ambrotype is in excellent condition with only a few flaws; there are two areas of oxidation; one on the bottom edge and another on the right edge near the woman's head. There are also small areas where the black backing has chipped off; the most noticeable being on the man's neck. The case itself is gutta percha and has a green velvet insert opposite of the ambrotype. The case is catalogued in Krainik as #17 (The Sweet Potato Dinner). This model of case was based on a painting by John Blake White entitled <I>General Marion in Swamp Encampment Inviting a British Officer to Share His Meal.</B></I> Francis Marion was also known as the "Swamp Fox." The case is near mint condition with a small flake missing on the upper left corner. Quarter-Plate.