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 203

Cabinet Card, Julius Lodovici in His Darkroom, Identified

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
An unidentified bearded man identified on the reverse as Julius Lodovici is photographed in his working darkroom in this albumen cabinet card, the inscription reading "Julius Lodovici's Darkroom" in a period hand. No photographer's imprint appears on the mount, suggesting this was made by a colleague or associate rather than in a commercial studio context. The format and style of dress are consistent with the 1870s to early 1880s.

Lodovici stands in three-quarter profile at a worktable densely covered with the equipment of photographic processing, his back partially turned to the camera and his gaze directed toward the window at center. Multiple dark glass bottles of chemical solutions, small vessels, a measuring scale, and various implements crowd the table surface before him. Shelves at left hold additional bottles, boxes, books, and tools. A large print drying frame or negative carrier leans against the wall at right, and torn or hanging fabric partially covers the right wall, consistent with the light-blocking materials used in darkroom work. The single window behind him provides the light source for the photograph, creating a characteristic backlighting effect that silhouettes Lodovici's figure against the bright exterior.

Interior darkroom photographs from this period are exceptionally rare, as the dimly lit conditions required long exposures and the chemical environment was hostile to photographic equipment. The reverse bears no studio imprint and carries only the handwritten identification.

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