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 227

CDV, Gen. Samuel Peter Heintzelman, Brady's Gallery

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
General Samuel Peter Heintzelman occupies this three-quarter-length CDV portrait, seated against a mottled studio backdrop and wearing his U.S. Army officer's double-breasted frock coat. The image was produced by Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries, with studio locations at Broadway and Tenth Street in New York and No. 352 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., placing it firmly within the Civil War era. The reverse bears an E. & H.T. Anthony imprint, indicating Anthony's role as publisher and distributor of this carte.

Heintzelman poses with one hand tucked inside his frock coat in the Napoleonic style, the other resting at his side. Two rows of large buttons run the length of the coat front, shoulder straps with general officer insignia are visible at both epaulettes, and his full salt-and-pepper beard frames a steady, direct expression.

Samuel Peter Heintzelman (1805–1880) was a career U.S. Army officer who commanded III Corps of the Army of the Potomac. He was wounded at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861 while leading his division, one of the most decorated actions of his long service. He rose to the rank of Major General of Volunteers and later commanded the Department of Washington.

The reverse carries the printed Brady's gallery imprint and remnants of archival tape; catalog notation 16360 XTY is associated with this lot.

From the collection of James Lee Soffer

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