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 165

Large Format Print, Poor Bull, Oglala Lakota, Heyn, 1900

Estimate: $200 - $300
Starting Bid
$100

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
Poor Bull, identified by inscription as Tatanka Tamaheca of the Oglala Lakota, is depicted in full profile in this large approximately 9 X 12 halftone photograph as found in a 14 X 17.75 frame, copyright 1900 by Herman Heyn of Omaha, Nebraska, and published by Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. Heyn was an active commercial photographer in Omaha during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who produced numerous portraits of Native American subjects, many of whom visited the city during this era. The image is presented framed and carries catalog number 1063.

The subject stands between two large cottonwood trees, extending a tomahawk toward the left tree with his right hand. He wears a light satin-like shirt, dark trousers with fur-trimmed cuffs at the ankle, and a dark blanket draped over his left shoulder and arm with a white stripe along its edge. Two feathers rise from his hair, and he is shown in strong profile with facial paint or marking visible on his cheek.

The Oglala Lakota are one of the seven bands of the Teton Sioux, whose homelands centered in present-day South Dakota. The lower left of the image bears a handwritten inscription reading "Tatanka Tamaheca (Poor Bull)."

The image face reads "Published by Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co." and "1063 Copyright 1900 by Heyn Photo Omaha."

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay
PayPal

All SHIPPING IS FREE for purchases above $500, buyers to pay insurance at $2 per $100.