Samuel Peck

Engraving of Clark Bissell by L. S. Punderson, made from a daguerreotype by 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 daguerreotypes before moving into the manufacture of cases for daguerreotypes 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. 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 their union case designs was inspired by a work of Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844).

Daguerreotypes and their cases were supplanted by the less costly paper photograph industry and cartes de visite. The Grand Opera House was used for social functions, political meetings, and religious meetings for 50 years and was important to the city of New Haven. The New Haven Museum and Historical Society has an entire collection of Peck's daguerreotype cases.