Civil War Tintypes
"Constitution and the Laws" Patriotic Union Tintype Case
c. 1860 Civil War Era, "Constitution and the Laws" Patriotic Decorative Union Case and Tintype, by Littlefield, Parsons & Co., "UNION CASES with the Embracing Riveted Hinge," with green insert Maker's paper, Choice Near New.
An impressively designed ornate One-sixth plate Union Case of brown thermoplastic, measuring 3.25" x 2.6" with its Tintype image. The face and back identical embossed Patriotic designs are titled "Constitution and the Laws" having a central American Eagle with a Scroll of the United States Constitution held in its beak. This case is listed as No. 113, p. 87, of "Union Cases" (1988) by Krainik and Walvoord. Case is extremely nice in detail with just the top portion of the brass latch lacking, while the Tintype image has nice contrast with some mottling as shown. Back of this case also with similar floral designs and concentric ovals and four Union Shields placed in the corners. Complete with its original maker's paper insert in the back cover stating: "Patented 1856 and 1857 by Littlefield, Parsons & Co.". We sold an identical case in our April 20, 2002 EAHA Auction, Lot 428 at $460 in lesser quality. The Interior features and ornate gold-gilt Tintype insert housing wealthy looking well dressed gentleman in dark jacket and fancy vest. Its elaborate brass foil surround adorns the outer edges of the tintype.