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 500

Photo, Children Operating Marionette Theater, Unidentified

Estimate: $25 - $50
Starting Bid
$10

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
Six children operate a full marionette theater production in this gelatin silver print mounted on cream board, with a small embossed studio stamp visible at the lower right corner of the photograph. The image documents both the operators above and the puppet stage below in a single frame, offering an unusually complete view of a children's marionette performance setup. No subject identification appears on the visible mount.

The six children lean over a railing above the stage, each operating marionette control bars with strings descending to the figures below. Four girls in dresses and two boys in shirts are visible, ranging in apparent age from approximately eight to fourteen years. The stage below is dressed with painted Gothic arch window flats, side curtains, and a central decorative tapestry backdrop. Seven marionette figures are visible on the stage, including characters in elaborately painted costumes suggesting a fairy tale or theatrical narrative, arranged across the stage floor and on a central raised platform.

The composition deliberately reveals the mechanics of the marionette theater by showing operators and stage simultaneously, a documentary framing consistent with school, library, or community program photography of the 1930s and 1940s. The print measures approximately 8 x 10 inches on cream mount board.

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.