This small exhibition concentrates on an extremely rare series of objects:
A sixth plate "Henry Clay" Daguerreotype case of which only two are known to exist though there may be a third.
The steel mold used to make the thermoplastic union case - hardly any of these still exist.
A Daguerreotype copy plate showing the politician Henry Clay.
The case is unusual as it commemorates a known individual and on the reverse it has a list of his achievements:
Henry Clay
Born in Hanover Co. Virginia
April 12, 1777
U.S. Senator, 1806.
Speaker of the House 1811
Treaty of Ghent 1814
Missouri Compromise 1821
Secretary of State 1825
Tarriff Bills of 1833-43
Compromise of 1850
Died at Washington
June 29, 1852.
The case was made by F.C. Key & Son and the advertising message reads:
F. C. KEY & SON,
Manufacturers of the
Excelsior Ambrotype
CASE.
F.C. KEY & SON
Are the Original Inventors of the
INSERTED HINGE AND CATCH,
far superior to all others, being im-
bedded in the case when pressed, and
warranted not to break out or spring,
as do all others that are riveted,
or inserted with or without
a metal brace.
