Michael Lehr Antiques
Live Auction

May Vernacular Photo History Auction

Wed, May 6, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-05-06 11:00:00 2026-05-06 11:00:00 America/New_York Michael Lehr Michael Lehr : May Vernacular Photo History Auction https://auction.michaellehrantiques.com/auctions/michael-lehr-antiques/may-vernacular-photo-history-auction-22757
Michael Lehr Antiques info@michaellehrantiques.com
Lot 192

6th Plate Daguerreotype, Outdoor Farming Scene

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
Starting Bid
$2,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$100 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,500
Sixth plate daguerreotype depicting an outdoor agricultural scene, dating to about the 1850s, an uncommon subject within the medium which more typically favors studio portraiture. The image shows a group of men working a field with horse-drawn equipment, captured in a wide view that emphasizes both the figures and the surrounding landscape. The exposure and composition suggest a deliberate attempt to record labor in progress rather than a posed arrangement, contributing to its rarity as a vernacular rural scene.

At least five men are visible, wearing brimmed hats and light shirts with suspenders, positioned across a plowed field. Two horses stand at the center, harnessed to a wooden implement, while one man guides the team and others hold long-handled tools, likely hoes or rakes. The ground in the foreground appears freshly turned, with a rough, uneven texture, and a fence line runs horizontally behind the group, separating the field from a dense tree line in the distance.

The image is presented behind a simple rectangular mat with a gilt border, framing the scene tightly. Numerous small surface specks and plate imperfections are visible, consistent with the challenges of outdoor daguerreotype exposure. No photographer’s imprint or identifying inscription is visible, and the scene remains an unmarked but compelling example of early agricultural photography.

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