Michael Lehr Antiques
Live Auction

June 2026 Vernacular Photo History Auction

Wed, Jun 24, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-06-24 11:00:00 2026-06-24 11:00:00 America/New_York Michael Lehr Michael Lehr : June 2026 Vernacular Photo History Auction https://auction.michaellehrantiques.com/auctions/michael-lehr-antiques/june-2026-vernacular-photo-history-auction-23574
Our June 2026 auction presents a focused and exceptional selection of historical photographs spanning the 1840s through the early twentieth century, with unusual depth in named subjects, rare formats, and documented provenance anchored by strong vernacular material that rewards close looking.
Michael Lehr Antiques info@michaellehrantiques.com
Lot 302

3 Novelty Cabinet Cards, Women in Hats, Chicago and Unidentified

Estimate: $100 - $200
Starting Bid
$50

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$100 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $5,000
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
Three novelty-format cabinet cards on die-cut and shaped thick stock present portraits of unidentified women in elaborate hats, each mount in a distinct decorative format. The diamond-shaped card is attributed to McEliott, 1730 North Clark Street, Chicago. The circular card is inscribed on the reverse identifying the subjects as Edith B. Adams and Florence S. Elms, photographed in their London clothes around 1895. The square card with a printed gilt ivy-vine border and circular image window carries no studio imprint.

The diamond card shows a bust-length portrait of a young woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat trimmed with flowers and a large bow, and a fur-collared dark bodice. The circular card depicts two women in close-fitting dark coats with prominent feather-trimmed hats. The square card presents a profile bust of a woman in a heavily ornamented hat with flowers and foliage, set within a round vignette against a black mount printed with a repeating gilt leaf-and-vine border.

Novelty die-cut cabinet card mounts in diamond, oval, circular, and other geometric shapes were produced primarily in the late 1880s and 1890s as alternatives to the standard rectangular format, marketed to studios as a premium presentation option. The London clothing inscription on the circular card and the Chicago studio attribution on the diamond card suggest the group may have circulated within the same social network.

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay
PayPal

All SHIPPING IS FREE for purchases above $500, buyers to pay insurance at $2 per $100.