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 602

Real Photo Postcard, Boy with Early Radio Crystal Set

Estimate: $50 - $100
Starting Bid
$25

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 young unidentified boy anchors this real photo postcard, posed at a wooden table before a painted studio backdrop in what appears to be an early twentieth century setting. His chin rests on his left fist, his wide eyes directed upward and slightly off-camera, conveying rapt attention or wonder. A thin wire runs from a glass of water on the table to a coiled copper component held loosely in his right hand, strongly suggesting a crystal radio receiver experiment — a popular subject for novelty and educational portrait photography during the 1910s and 1920s. The photographer is unidentified, and no studio imprint appears on the card.

The boy wears a loose tweed jacket with a wide lapel over an open-collared shirt, his short light hair slightly disheveled. The glass on the table contains clear liquid through which the wire passes, and a small dark bottle is partially visible at the left edge of the frame. The table surface shows faint scratches and scattered small objects near the base of the glass.

Crystal set photography of this type was a recognized novelty genre in the early radio era, capturing public fascination with wireless technology in domestic and staged settings. The composition and props suggest a deliberate artistic or commercial intent rather than a simple family portrait.

The reverse bears a NOKO-brand postcard imprint with a "Place Postage Stamp Here" designation and the handwritten notation "7-678" along the dividing line. A penciled price of "$155" appears in the upper right corner.

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All SHIPPING of photographs with total purchases above $500 is FREE, buyers to pay insurance at $2 per $100.