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 217

CDV, Reese J Millard, 2nd PA Heavy Artillery, POW

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
Reese J. Millard of the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery is the subject of this albumen carte-de-visite, produced during the Civil War era and attributed by the reverse imprint to Gallen's gallery at 332 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. Millard enlisted in January 1862 for three years, rose to the rank of Captain in the 2nd Provisional Heavy Artillery by April 1864, and saw service at the Washington fortifications before joining the Overland Campaign.

He is seated in a carved parlor chair, turned at a three-quarter angle with his gaze directed past the camera, wearing a single-breasted sack coat over a buttoned waistcoat and light trousers, with a bow tie at the collar. A forage cap rests in his lap, and a thin goatee frames his jaw, with close-cropped side-whiskers adding definition to his face.

Millard fought at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor before being captured on June 2, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Virginia. He was subsequently paroled at Macon, Georgia, with his service record extending through March 19, 1865. The manuscript label affixed to the front reads "Reese J. Millard, Reese" with "Arty" noted in the upper corner.

From the collection of James Lee Soffer

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