Museum Collections
Luce Center
Tintype badge in case: Lincoln
Object Number:
1971.109ff
Date:
ca. 1865
Medium:
Textile, tintype, plastic, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 x 3 1/4 x 3 3/4 in. ( 2.5 x 8.3 x 9.5 cm )
Marks:
handwritten in ink: on slip of paper found in case: "Made by mother & / worn by father at / the time of Lincoln's death / Howard M Canoune"
typewritten: on slip of paper found in case: "Badge made by Louise M. H. Canoune / and worn by her husband Newton
Description:
Badge in the form of a rosette made from red, white, and blue ribbon, with tintype of Abraham Lincoln in gilded rectangular frame at center and black netting attached to back; in rectangular brown plastic case with hinged lid and elaborate molded design on front and back.
Gallery Label:
The case, which is described as a "daguerrotype case" in the original accession records, appears to be made of thermoplastic, a substance invented and patented by Samuel Peck in 1854. Thermoplastic was the first plastic product to be mass-produced in the United States.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Coates in loving memory of Howard Masten and Anne Louise Canoune
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.