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 244

CDV, Lt Suete, 6th Iowa Cavalry, 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
Lt. Suete of the 6th Iowa Cavalry is portrayed in this albumen CDV, produced during the Civil War era and presented within an elaborately printed decorative oval surround of scrollwork, foliate ornament, and pendant tassels that fills the full mount face. No photographer's imprint is visible on the reverse, leaving the studio unattributed. The portrait dates to the 1860s based on uniform style and card format.

Suete wears a dark Union frock coat with a standing collar, a row of bright uniform buttons down the chest, and shoulder straps bearing a single bar indicating his lieutenant's rank. His light hair is parted and combed back, and he carries a neat mustache and chin beard. His gaze is directed slightly upward and forward, with a composed, direct expression.

The 6th Iowa Cavalry was organized in 1862 and served extensively in the western theater, participating in operations across Missouri, Arkansas, and into the Deep South through the end of the war. The reverse bears a pencil inscription reading "Lieut Suete 6 Cavalry" and a printed dealer notation "SOEDT" at the bottom edge.

From the collection of James Lee Soffer

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