Samuel Peck

And Samuel Peck and Company).

• Name — Samuel Peck • Other Names — Samuel H. Peck • Born — 3 March 1813 • Died — 22 July 1879 • Place of death — New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. • Resting Place — Grove Street Cemetery • Occupation — photographer, photo case manufacturer, gallery owner • Employer — Samuel Peck & Co. • Illustration — Engraving of Clark Bissell by L. S. Punderson, made from a daguerreotype by Peck

Samuel Peck & Co. was in operation in New Haven, from 1844 to 1857. In 1844, Peck opened a photo gallery, where he worked as a daguerreotypist. Starting on April 30, 1850, Peck had secured patents for his photo case designs. 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 his cases lists Massachusetts. 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.

In 1860 Peck built the Music Hall in New Haven; the building was later named the Grand Opera House, which burned down in a fire in 1915. 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.