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**Item Overview:**
Up for sale is an authentic, mid-19th-century thermoplastic Union case dating securely to the Civil War era (circa 1857-1865). This is an empty, highly collectible Sixth-Plate (1/6 plate) size case featuring the famous and beautifully detailed pictorial scene: \"The Music Lesson.\"**Design Details:**
- Cover Vignette: Features a high-relief central molding sculpted by historical die-sinker A. Schaeffer, depicting a Victorian family gathered around a square piano during a music lesson.
- Border Details: Framed by an ornate, deeply molded scrolling foliate border accented by a delicate stippled inner trim.
- Dimensions: Measures approximately 3.25 inches by 3.75 inches (Standard 1/6 plate format).
- Use Case: This case is empty inside, making it an excellent period-correct upgrade or replacement housing for an orphaned Civil War era tintype, ambrotype, or daguerreotype photo plate.**Condition Notes:**
Please examine all high-resolution photos closely to assess final condition. The dark thermoplastic material holds excellent color depth, and the central figures and piano details remain sharp and distinct. The outer edges and corners show typical light wear and minor historical aging consistent with a genuine 160+ year-old artifact. Hinges are intact. Sold as-found.
**Interior Details:**
- Left Side: Empty and bare to the dark wood/composition backing tray. Features a faint, original factory mold-stamped \"54\" in the center. A vintage dealer price sticker is present on the lower left.
- Right Side: Retains its original, rich purple/violet velvet border trim along the edges of the tray.
- Hardware: Features its original brass double hinges and small side locking latch, all fully intact and functional.**Condition Notes:**
Please inspect all photos closely to evaluate final condition. The exterior thermoplastic material displays deep color and crisp relief lines. The original brass hinges are strong, secure, and open smoothly but the bottom hinge is a little loose where it attaches to the case. The interior is partially empty; the left side is bare down to the backing tray, while the right side retains its original purple velvet border trim. Light, normal edge wear present consistent with age. Sold as-found.
