Alfred P. Critchlow & Co (Florence, CT, USA, c. 1853-1857)
9th Plate Double Daguerreotype Case, ‘Geometric’ Unidentified, c. 1856
thermoplastic, brown
(case) 3 1/8” high x 2 ¾” wide x 7/8” deep
(plate size) 2 ½” high x 2” wide
Summary: Rare antique ninth plate thermoplastic double daguerreotype case embossed with a central lattice quilted window contained within a draped border with foliate corners, made by Alfred P Critchlow & Co. It is rare enough not to be found in the hefty resource, Nineteenth Century Photographic Cases and Wall Frames, Second Edition, by Berg. The interior houses facing double elliptical brass mats, one currently sporting a tintype of a young girl wearing gold jewelry and the other the original A P Critchlow papers.
Markings: original papers, “A. P. CRITCHLOW & CO.,’ / ‘Manufacturers of’ / ‘Daguerreotype Cases.’ / ‘ A. P. C. & CO.’ / ‘Are the Original Inventors of the’ / ‘Composition for the Union Case,’ / ‘(so called,) including all the various shades’ / ‘of color and fineness of texture pecu-‘ / ‘liar to their manufacture and of the Embra[inkblot] Riveted Hinges, thus’ / ‘seen[inkblot] from breaking out’ / ‘as [ink blot] that are inserted’ / wit[inkblot] without a’ / ‘metal brace.’ / ‘———–’ / ‘Hinge Patented Oct. 14, 1856.’
Condition: Antique, Excellent
For Accuracy: an Antique it may show expected light signs of age. There is an inkblot on the original papers. See Photographs.
