Michael Lehr Antiques
Live Auction

June 2026 Vernacular Photo History Auction

Wed, Jun 24, 2026 11:00AM EDT
Lot 330

Daguerreotype, Unidentified Child, C.D. Fredericks, 588 Broadway NY

Estimate: $200 - $300

Bid Increments

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$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

A sixth-plate daguerreotype portrait of an unidentified young child, produced at the Broadway studio of Charles DeForest Fredericks in New York City, most likely during the 1857 to 1858 period when he operated his "Photographic Temple of Art" at 588 Broadway. The image is housed in a half case with an elaborate gilt brass mat framing an oval opening, set against burgundy velvet padding with a decorative rope-twist border. The gilt mat bears the imprints "C.F. FREDERICKS" on the lower left and "588 BROADWAY, N.Y." on the lower right.

The child is shown in a three-quarter-length seated pose wearing a voluminous off-shoulder dress with short puffed sleeves, a white lace or ruffled collar at the neckline, and a decorative bead or button trim running diagonally across the bodice. Dark curled hair frames a round face with a direct, solemn gaze toward the camera, and both small hands rest in the lap.

Charles DeForest Fredericks was one of the most prominent photographers in mid-nineteenth-century New York, known for his work in daguerreotype, paper photography, and enlarged portraiture. His 588 Broadway gallery, advertised as formerly Gurney and Fredericks, represented the height of his commercial practice before his later transition into cartes de visite work in the 1860s.

The gilt mat is stamped "O.D. FREDERICKS" at lower left and "588 BROADWAY, N.Y." at lower right, consistent with imprints documented from his 1857 to 1858 gallery operation.

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