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 242

CDV, 1st Lt Timothy Finn, Co D, Iowa Civil War Officer

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
1st Lieutenant Timothy Finn of Company D is depicted in this Civil War-era CDV, presented within an elaborately printed oval cartouche border featuring scrollwork, tassels, and decorative flourishes printed directly on the card stock. The format and ornate border style are consistent with the mid-1860s, placing this firmly within the war period. No photographer's imprint is visible on the reverse.

Finn wears a dark Union officer's frock coat with a double row of buttons down the front and shoulder straps visible at both shoulders. His full beard is thick and well-groomed, his dark hair swept back, and his direct gaze conveys a composed, formal bearing. The bust-length pose is centered precisely within the printed oval frame.

Iowa furnished over 75,000 men to the Union cause during the Civil War, organized into dozens of infantry, cavalry, and artillery regiments. The inscription identifying Finn by full name, rank, and company makes this a fully documented officer portrait with strong Iowa regimental research potential.

The reverse bears a period ink inscription reading: 1st Lieut / Timothy Finn / Co. "D."

From the collection of James Lee Soffer

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