This is a large thermoplastic union case with an ambrotype of a family scene, probably father and child. The ambrotype is a half plate, and the embossed covers feature a fruit bowl with still-life, a motif which is repeated on front and back (Krainik 13, The Bowl of Fruit). The ruby velvet lining has wear on the right side and the case has a chip on the top rail and near the top clasp, and there is a stress crack near one corner on the back. The hinges have some give, too, but the double clasps are snug and a case like this is hard to find; it likely graced a table or mantelpiece in the mid 1800’s. The case measures was made by Littlefield Parsons in the 1850's and measures 4 7/8 x 6 1/16 in. wide and a full 1 in. deep. It is a notable case, too, because there were over 700 designs made on smaller thermoplastic cases and only thirteen designs made on half-plate cases.