Michael Lehr Antiques
Live Auction

September 2026 Vernacular Photo History Auction

Sat, Sep 19, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-09-19 11:00:00 2026-09-19 11:00:00 America/New_York Michael Lehr Michael Lehr : September 2026 Vernacular Photo History Auction https://auction.michaellehrantiques.com/auctions/michael-lehr-antiques/september-2026-vernacular-photo-history-auction-24380
Our September 2026 auction is anchored by two remarkable private collections, together making up about half the sale, alongside a broader selection of consignments spanning early photography, Civil War material, and vernacular imagery. The Soffer Collection, built with an eye for rarity and historical significance, is particularly strong in vernacular portraiture, Native American photographs, and Iowa Civil War imagery. The Palmer, Massachusetts collection, much of it found at Brimfield, centers on maker-marked daguerreotypes from the golden age of the American daguerreian studio.
Michael Lehr Antiques info@michaellehrantiques.com
Lot 117

Cabinet Card, Four Jockeys with Champagne, C.F. Halm

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 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
Four jockeys pose together in a studio portrait made by C.F. Halm of Constanz, dating to the 1880s based on the mount style and gold-bordered cabinet card format. Two men are seated flanking a carved barley-twist pedestal table, while two others stand behind them, one resting an arm casually on his neighbor's shoulder. The group composition and champagne props suggest a celebratory occasion, possibly following a race meeting.

Three of the four wear matching dark satin riding silks with button-front jackets and peaked jockey caps, while the standing figure at center right is dressed in a white double-breasted jacket and soft white cap. The two seated men wear tall black riding boots with decorative stitching and hold riding crops, and a champagne bottle with two flute glasses is arranged on the table between them.

C.F. Halm operated a studio in Constanz, Germany, and the quality of the mount and printing reflects a well-established commercial portrait practice. The black-painted reverse bears a partial ghost impression of a stamp or label, now largely illegible.

From the collection of James Lee Soffer

Available payment options

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

All SHIPPING of photographs with total purchases above $500 is FREE, buyers to pay insurance at $2 per $100.