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 488

Cabinet Card, Ventriloquist with Dummy, Augustus Wilson, London

Estimate: $200 - $300
Starting Bid
$100

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 ventriloquist stands in a full-length oval vignette portrait alongside a large full-body dummy in this cabinet card produced by Augustus W. Wilson and Co., Photographers, 13e Dalston Lane, Kingsland, North London. The reverse identifies the studio location as Dalston Junction Bazaar and notes prize medals awarded at the Photographic Exhibition of Great Britain in 1878 and the only Gold Medal at the International Photographic Exhibition of 1880. The reverse mount was printed by Trapp and Munch of Berlin.

The ventriloquist wears a black tailcoat with white waistcoat, pleated shirtfront, and white bow tie, a watch chain visible at his waist, and looks upward with a slight smile. The dummy stands at his left, reaching approximately to his chest, dressed in a horizontally striped knit top with button trim, corduroy trousers, and a button-studded cap, its hinged jaw open and its painted face turned upward toward the ventriloquist's gaze. Both figures are posed within a draped studio column backdrop.

The reverse bears the Augustus W. Wilson and Co. imprint in decorative floral typography with award designations, the Dalston Junction Bazaar address at 13e Dalston Lane East, and the standard guarantee that duplicates and enlargements could be made from the portrait. The catalog notation reads "2/11/07 / COBHAC / Eb."

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