Fabulous rare, black, sixth-plate union case, “The Fireman,” Berg 1-95. The back of the case is a geometric design that is commonly found in combination with this front. It houses a tintype of two firemen holding their hats and the man on the left placing his hand on his buddy. This is a later tintype that has been trimmed slightly on both sides. The case is in very good condition with nice high relief on the fireman and some typical light dirt in some of the filigree. There is a hint of an extremely small chip right at the latch but this is smaller than the scan suggests. The case opens easily. The tintype has great tones and contrast with one light scratch right above their beltlines. This is barely noticeable. 

Rare, outstanding, reddish brown CDV frame, “Large Acorn and Leaves,” Berg 7-33G. This case has the engraver’s name Key on the lower right between the gilt band and the flower. The back reads “Patented, Aug. 7, 1855.” The case is in excellent minus condition with the gilt now reading a beautiful reddish light brown tone. The hanging hook is still on the back with both top clips and the hook on the bottom functions perfectly. Someone has added a wire stand for sitting on a shelf or mantle. It has a CDV of an attractive young woman by J.H. Kent, Rochester, NY.

Fabulous quarter-plate case with the rare mark for ”H.A. Eickmeyer, Patented Feb. 27, 1855” as stamped on the bottom of the backside of the case. This of course was Henry Adolph Eickmeyer who, according to Craig’s Registry, was a “Daguerreian case maker, Philadelphia, Pa., 1849-1856. From 1849 to 1851 he was listed at 25 South Second Street simply as a case maker. In 1852 and 1853 he was listed as a daguerreian case maker, without a business address, and lived at 5 Ashland. From 1854 to 1856 he was listed at 62 Walnut Street, with the same residence address. Another source placed him at 46-1/2 Walnut Street in 1848. He was awarded design patent #654 in 1855 for miniature cases.”
While we see a number of similar versions of this style, the marked Eickmeyer cases are not often seen on the market. This example is in very good plus condition with a little wear/scuff marks as seen, the hinge attached, with a plain burgundy velvet mat on the inside. It houses a daguerreotype of a bearded gentleman in a semi-profile pose. The image has been obviously cleaned in the past and has wipe marks and scratches along with copper spots on the gentleman’s forehead.

Beautiful, dark brown leather, sixth-plate case, “Basket of Flowers”, Berg 5-116. This doesn’t have the label, but it is attributed to John Plumbe. The case is very good plus condition with the original hinge and a silk red pad on the inside. There is some wear/loss of leather at the clasp from opening and closing and a hint of light wear on the back edges. There is no image or mat but this would be perfect to pair with that special Plumbe daguerreotype!

Lovely ninth-plate leather case, “Lyre and Bunting”, Berg 4-66. The case is in very good condition with some wear as seen. There is no image, mat or preserver but it is a cool case for a special ninth-plate.