American Miniature Case Art - Floyd and Marion Rinhart

Nineteenth-century craftsmen designed and created for posterity a distinctive and native art form, the miniature case.

Fashioned to hold treasured portraits, the small case became a symbol of prestige as well as an heirloom for the American family. When the new art of photography was introduced to America in 1839, the traditional miniature case, used by artists to enclose small portraits, was quickly adopted for use by pioneer daguerreo-typists to protect their delicate images on silvered-copper plates. A new industry began, making miniature cases especially for the photography trade.

During the 1840's the shallow wood cases were mostly made by New England craftsmen; and artist engravers were employed to create aesthetic designs for embossing the leather coverings. In 1853, a new molded miniature case of plastic composition was introduced, America's first plastic product to be patented and mass-produced. This new innovation made possible a wide variety of ornate designs and scenes in deep relief, reflecting the thoughts and feelings of an age - an outpouring of artistic talent that has generally remained unseen for a century.

American Miniature Case Art is the first history ever written of the development and art of the miniature case used by America's pioneer photographers. The illustrations used were photographed especially for this book; there are text illustrations and also plates which are arranged in themes of history, nature, and geometric designs. Many plates are in full color.

As collectors of pioneer photography, the authors have had the opportunity of studying and viewing a large number of miniature cases, both those of wood-frame construction covered with leather, paper, or cloth, and those made of plastic com-position. The Rinharts are well-versed in their subject and present here a fascinating examination of the art and spirit of an era.

Since the craft and art of the miniature case has not had a previous historian the undertaking by the authors presupposed a considerable amount of research. Contemporary books of the mid-nineteenth century were consulted, a persistent searching through United States Letter Patent records was undertaken, and information was gathered from old directories and newspapers.

Special lighting effects were used in photographing many of the miniature case illustrations in this book in order to bring out and highlight the intricately formed designs. Also included in the book are brief biographies of the case manufacturers and artist-engravers, a selected Bibliography, and an Index.

American Miniature Case Art will appeal not only to the many collectors of this intriguing art, but will open an exciting new perspective for students of nineteenth-century design.

• Condition: Used - Fair
• Type: Hardback
• Dimensions: 27 x 27 x 2.5cm