Rare Scallop Shell Thermoplastic Union Case Krainik 209 Peck Halvorson 1/6 Plate For Sale

Rare Scallop Shell Thermoplastic Union Case Krainik 209 Peck Halvorson 1/6 Plate
Item Specifics

• Condition:Used
• Condition Description:Excellent antique condition. Thermoplastic shows sharp, crisp molded shell details on both sides. Hinges are completely intact and structurally sound, and the lock clasp would need adjusting as last picture shows a fracture. No major cracks, corner nicks, or breaks to the exterior composite. The interior features two complete, un-restored 1/6-plate period portraits framed by ornate gilded foil mats showing beautifully preserved embossing. Minor age-appropriate wear as expected of mid-19th-century items (see photos).
• Format:Sixth-Plate (1/6 Plate)
• Photo Type:Antique Portrait Tintype
• Production Technique:Thermoplastic Molded Union Case
• Theme:Americana, Historic, Shell Motif
• Time Period Manufactured:1850-1869 (Civil War Era)
• Subject:Men, Women, Fashion, Historic Landscape Backdrop
• Original/Licensed Reprint:Original
• Country/Region of Manufacture:United States

📝 DetailedRARITY & COLLECTOR ASSESSMENT

• Rarity Status:RARE / HIGHLY DESIRABLE
• Design Rarity:While 19th-century Union cases are regularly found with elaborate geometric or historical motifs, theScallop Shell (Krainik 209 / Berg 2-67)is highly elusive. In the mid-1850s, manufacturers shifted heavily toward dense, complex patterns to show off the capabilities of early plastic molding. The Scallop Shell stands as a rare, highly intentional departure into striking, minimalist neoclassical design.
• Survival Rate & Scarcity:Because thermoplastic composition is intrinsically brittle, surviving examples of this specific mold frequently suffer from chipped scalloped ridges, split spines, or broken corners. Finding this rare motif completely intact—with crisp molding definition, completely unbroken corners, and a fully functional clasp—places this piece in theupper tier of collector-grade preservation.
• Completeness Factor:The rarity of this lot is further elevated by its complete, unaltered state. It retains both of its original interior gilded foil mats and features a compellingdouble-portrait configuration(a solitary gentleman paired with an unusually detailed winter-fashion study of two women), rather than arriving as an empty case or an unmatched marriage of parts.

📋 DESCRIPTIONA highly choice and raresixth-plate (3 ½” x 3 ⅞”) brown thermoplastic Union case, manufactured byPeck & Halvorson, circa1855–1865.The exterior features the iconic and strikingly minimalist"Scallop Shell"design, officially documented in early photographic case literature asKrainik 209andBerg 2-67. Unlike the densely packed geometric or historical tableaux patterns common to the era, the Scallop Shell motif is celebrated for its clean, fluid lines and neoclassical elegance, making it exceptionally scarce andhighly prized by elite collectors.The double-sided interior layout is fully complete, beautifully preserving two contrasting mid-19th-century portraits set behind highly ornate, bright gilded-foil mats with oval window openings.

• Left Image:A 1/6-plate portrait of a gentleman in formal attire and hat, standing jauntily with one hand on his hip and leaning against a rustic picket fence. The detailed studio backdrop features a winding river landscape and a classical garden urn.
• Right Image:A 1/6-plate portrait of two women dressed in exquisite winter garments, complete with heavy fur-trimmed coats, matching muffs, and structured bonnets, posed in front of a stone courtyard backdrop beside a rustic garden feature.

🔍 CONDITION REPORT

• Thermoplastic Case:Excellent antique condition. The molded shell details remain exceptionally crisp and deep on both the front and back covers. The chocolate-brown composition material displays excellent luster, free from major corner chips, breaks, or structural fractures.
• Hardware & Functionality:The original brass hinges are tight and structurally sound, and the lock need adjusting as last picture shows a fractureas last picture shows.
• Interior Elements:The original gilded mats retain a high degree of their original gold luster with only minimal age-appropriate oxidation. The perimeter velvet preserves strong texture and deep coloring, showing only light surface wear consistent with age and careful handling.

*Please review all high-resolution macro photographs for macro details on corners, edges, and texture.*Keep in mind the shipping price also covers handling fees, packaging materials & time, not just postage.
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