Samuel Peck

Samuel Peck (1813–1879), was an American 19th-century photographer, artist, businessperson, photo case manufacturer, and gallery owner. He was based in New Haven, Connecticut and produced daguerrotypes before moving into the manufacture of cases for daguerrotypes as, Samuel Peck & Co. (also written as S. Peck & Co. and Samuel Peck and Company). Biography Samuel Peck & Co. was in operation in New Haven, from 1844 to 1857. In 1844, Peck opened a photo gallery, where he worked as a daguerreotypist. Starting in April 30, 1850, Peck had secured patents for his photo case case designs. Peck patented the first thermoplastic case, made from fine sawdust, shellac, and dye that were pressed and heated with steam to moldable forms. They are referred to as union cases and are collectable. Peck and his brother-in-law Halvor Halvorson produced daguerreotype cases molded from thermoplastic. One of his cases lists Massachusetts. One of their union case designs was inspired by a work of Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844). Daguerrotypes and their cases were supplanted by the less costly paper photograph industry and cartes de visite.