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 538

Cabinet Photo, Charles Hunt, Auto Parts Shop Interior

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
A young man identified on the reverse as Charles Hunt stands at the center of a well-stocked automotive parts and machine shop in this gelatin silver print mounted on plain gray board, circa 1910 to 1920. He faces the camera with one hand resting on a wooden work counter and the other on his hip, wearing a belted mechanic's coverall and a flat wool cap. No photographer's imprint appears on the reverse.

Rows of wooden pigeonhole bins line the left wall, packed with small parts and hardware; the back wall displays an organized array of engine components including a multi-cylinder block casting with visible bore openings and bolt holes, and a second casting featuring an ornate openwork pattern of lightening holes consistent with early racing or high-performance engine fabrication. A partially legible printed sign at lower left reads "No More — Last Longer," and a wooden desk stacked with papers occupies the right side of the frame.

The portrait convention of a tradesman posed within his own workplace surrounded by stock and equipment was a common documentary practice of the period, and the presence of performance engine castings gives this image particular interest as an early record of American motorsport parts commerce during the pioneer era of automobile racing.

The reverse bears a handwritten ink inscription in period cursive reading "Chas. Hunt — what place & how bold."

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