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 314

Cabinet Card, Brick Church with Steeple, Rock Island, Illinois

Estimate: $50 - $100
Starting Bid
$25

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
A substantial brick church with a central square tower and spire is recorded in this albumen print cabinet card, produced in Rock Island, Illinois, circa 1880 to 1895. The building is photographed from a three-quarter angle showing both the main facade and the side elevation, with a large attached wing visible to the right. No photographer's imprint appears on the front mount, and no church identification is visible in the image.

The main body of the church features a series of tall arched windows with paired sashes along the nave walls, corbeled brick banding below the roofline, and a projecting front gable with a large arched opening above the entrance. The square tower rises from the facade and terminates in an octagonal spire with a finial; two chimneys are visible along the ridge of the nave roof. Young street trees are planted along a picket fence bordering the lot, and a residential structure is partially visible at left.

The reverse carries a grid of local business advertisements in place of a photographer's imprint, a commercial practice in which photographers sold advertising space on their card backs. Businesses listed include T.H. Thomas druggist, Parker's Laundry, Hawkeye Distilling Co., and the Rock Island Blank Book Manufactory, confirming the Rock Island, Illinois location, with addresses concentrated along 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, and 17th through 20th Streets.

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.