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 412

Ninth Plate Daguerreotype, Unidentified Man in Profile

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 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
A profile portrait of an unidentified man occupies this ninth plate daguerreotype, which houses not a standard photographic image but a hand-rendered pencil or graphite drawing executed directly on the plate surface. The work is consistent with mid-nineteenth century physiognotrace and profile miniature traditions, in which artists used the daguerreotype format as a ground for drawn likenesses rather than captured photographs. The rendering is confident and precise, suggesting a practiced hand.

The subject faces left in strict profile, revealing a high forehead with receding short dark hair, a prominent nose, a firm jawline with a small chin, and the collar and lapel of a dark coat visible at the shoulder. The draftsmanship captures the contour of the ear and the set of the eye with careful line work, and the pale ground of the plate contrasts with the applied graphite tones throughout the figure.

The image is housed in a thermoplastic case with an embossed arabesque pattern covering both exterior panels, a red velvet pad on the interior lid, and a gilt brass mat with scrollwork surround framing the image. A teal-tinted inner border is visible between the mat and the plate edge.

No photographer's imprint or inscription is present on the case or image.

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