Exceptional collection of five (5) thermoplastic Union cases, three (3) from the renowned Paul K. Berg Collection, housing six (6) mid-19th-century photographic portraits. The lot includes:

1. Quarter plate studio portrait daguerreotype of a mother holding her child in a baptismal gown. Full thermoplastic case with high relief cameo of female profile (Berg 3-26 C1 [VR]) to obverse and geometric cartouche (Berg 3-608 [C]) to reverse. 

2. Sixth plate seated studio portrait daguerreotype of a man in a top hat. Full thermoplastic case with the relief, "Bunches of Grapes in an Oval" (Berg 2-23). Ex-Paul K. Berg Collection. 

3. Two (2) sixth plate seated studio portrait daguerreotype of a woman and ambrotype of a man. Full thermoplastic case with the relief, "Tasting the Nectar 2" (Berg 2-135). 

4. Ninth plate half-length studio portrait daguerreotype of an older gentleman. Full thermoplastic case with the relief, "Stained Glass Window" (Berg 1-145 [C]). Ex-Paul K. Berg Collection. 

5. Sixth plate seated studio portrait daguerreotype of a woman. Full thermoplastic case with the relief, "Belt and Buckle 1" (Berg 2-69 [S]). Ex-Paul K. Berg Collection.

[Union Cases, Thermoplastic Cases, Paul K Berg, Berg Collection, Cameo of Queen Victoria, Queen Victoria, Belt and Buckle, Bunches of Grapes, Tasting the Nectar, Hummingbirds, Stained Glass Window, Gothic Architecture, Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Sixth Plate, Quarter Plate, Ninth Plate, Cased Images, 19th Century Photography]

The thermoplastic cases are remarkably intact, displaying crisp mold relief, square unchipped corners, tight original brass hinges, and snappy closures across all five examples.The housed plates range from good to very good, with typical scattered dusting and minor peripheral tarnish consistent with age.