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 339

Daguerreotype, Two Children with Violin and Sheet Music

Estimate: $300 - $500
Starting Bid
$150

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
Two unidentified children pose together in this sixth-plate daguerreotype, almost certainly captured during the 1850s based on the clothing, case style, and mat design. The boy is seated in a turned wooden chair and holds a full-size violin in his right hand and a bow vertically in his left, while the girl stands at his side with his arm resting across her shoulder. No photographer's imprint is visible on the case or mount.

The girl wears a light short-sleeved dress with a fine textured weave and has long dark ringlet curls framing her face. The boy wears a dark double-breasted jacket with a row of closely spaced buttons and a white collar. He holds the violin by its neck with the scroll facing outward, and the girl holds a small sheet of paper or music card at her side bearing faint handwritten notation that remains largely illegible.

The inclusion of both a violin and sheet music as deliberate props suggests the children were being identified specifically as musicians, a meaningful distinction in mid-nineteenth century portrait practice. The ornate embossed brass mat and braided rope inner frame are consistent with quality sixth-plate cases of the 1850s.

The paper prop held by the girl bears partially legible handwritten text, though the inscription cannot be fully transcribed from the available image.

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