Quadruple-aperture thermoplastic Union case (Berg 1-70, "The Gardeners" / "Children at Play") housing four ninth-plate collodion/daguerreian cased portraits under individual stamped gilt brass mats and preservers. Ca. mid-to-late 1850s - early 1860s.

A wonderful, four-image family ensemble crowned by a standout occupational portrait in the lower right aperture. That portrait, a stellar dageurreotype, depicts a young working tradesman or vendor in a standing pose. He wears a tilted soft work hat, a knotted kerchief neckerchief, and a checked homespun work shirt over dark trousers. Tucked firmly under his left arm and supported by his hand is an enormous, finely woven splint or wicker basket/hamper. Posed with proud working-class vernacular directness, he represents a classic 19th-century basketmaker, delivery man, or street market peddler.

[Occupational Photography, Basketmaker, Woven Hamper, Basket Weaver, Street Vendor, Working Class, Vernacular Photography, Ninth Plate, Tintype, Ambrotype, Daguerreotype, Thermoplastic Case, Union Case, Berg 1-70, The Gardeners, Cased Images, 19th Century Photography]

Very good to fine condition. All images, including the centerpiece occupational, feature strong resolution and tones.