Whole plate hand-tinted colorized albumen affixed to a glass plate. N.p., ca. 1850s-1860s. Full thermoplastic Union case manufactured by Littlefield, Parsons & Co. depicting "Washington Crossing the Delaware" by Emanuel Leutze, 1851. Slip of period paper written in period ink identifying subject and her lineage. With period typed appraisal evaluation sheet. 

A portrait of Rebecca Jones Lasher, displayed beneath an octagonal-aperture brass mat and heavy foliate preserver with rich plum velvet facing pad. The star of the show, however, is the case its housed in. Manufactured by Littlefield, Parsons & Co. and die-engraved by Frederick B. Smith and Herman Hartmann, the exterior recto features a dramatic, high-relief molded rendering of Emanuel Leutze's celebrated 1851 painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware," surrounded by an intricate foliate, scroll, and palmette border. 

Molded in dark brown thermoplastic composition, the exterior relief captures Washington standing resolute near the bow of the rowboat as his troops navigate treacherous ice blocks across the churning river, complete with the billowing flag, oarsmen, and detailed rigging. Die-sinkers F. B. Smith & Hartmann achieved extraordinary textural depth and three-dimensional perspective across the entire plate. Measuring over 8 x 9 in., whole-plate Union cases represent the apex of 19th-century thermoplastic manufacturing, produced in exceedingly small numbers due to the high cost of casting dies and their fragility at such large dimensions. Examples depicting pivotal scenes of Revolutionary War history remain among the most elusive and celebrated prizes in cased photograph collecting.

The accompanying ink manuscript letter identifies the sitter: "This is the picture of your Great Great Grandmother Rebecca Jones Lasher. Her children were Francis Lasher, Hannah Maria Lasher Holingaworth [Hollingsworth], Amanda Melvina Lasher Hollingaworth, Anna Darlington Lasher Waugh." Lasher was a prominent Philadelphia matriarch.

[Union Case, Thermoplastic Case, Whole Plate, Littlefield Parsons, Littlefield Parsons & Co, FB Smith & Hartmann, F.B. Smith and Hartmann, Washington Crossing the Delaware, George Washington, Emanuel Leutze, American Revolution, Revolutionary War, Cased Image, 19th Century Photography, Rebecca Jones Lasher]

Fine condition. The case is exceptionally well preserved, retaining crisp relief detailing across Washington and the crew, sharp decorative borders, square corners, and lustrous dark surfaces with no apparent chips, cracks, or repairs.