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 394

Quarter Plate Daguerreotype, Two Young Children, Leather Case

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
Two unidentified children pose together in this sixth plate daguerreotype, most likely made during the early to mid 1850s based on the styling of dress and the case construction. The image is housed in a leather case with an embossed scrollwork and foliate design on the exterior, secured by a small clasp hardware at the side. No photographer's imprint is visible.

The older child, a girl, leans her head gently against the younger child seated beside her, both dressed in dark wool garments with white collar and cuff details. The girl wears a ruffled white collar and has her dark hair pulled back with a ribbon ornament. The younger child wears a button-front suit with decorative buttons running down the front and white cuffs visible at the wrists, hands resting openly on the lap.

The pairing of the two children in a single case portrait was a common practice for sibling commissions during the daguerreian era, and the formal dark clothing and mutual proximity suggest this was a carefully arranged family sitting. The golden velvet mat frames the image within an ornate pressed brass mat and preserver.

The leather case back displays a deeply embossed acanthus and cartouche pattern. No inscriptions or photographer's markings are present on the case interior or reverse.

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