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 525

Real Photo Postcard, Frank Coleman, Artistic Armless Marvel

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
Frank Coleman, billed as the "Artistic Armless Marvel" of Temple, Texas, is the subject of this real photo postcard composite produced by Campbell's Photo Art of Dayton, Ohio. Six scenes are arranged across the card, together forming a promotional showcase of Coleman's abilities. The card carries the catalog number 219-S printed in the lower right corner of the image area.

Coleman appears without arms throughout every scene, using his feet and prosthetic attachments to accomplish each task depicted. In the upper left he operates what appears to be a typewriter, while the upper right shows him seated at an easel working on a drawing with his foot. A central portrait presents him wearing a straw boater hat and suit with a striped necktie. The two lower scenes show him working mechanical devices with a prosthetic hook and dining at a table, a fork or utensil held in the prosthetic.

A smaller inset photograph at center left shows Coleman performing alongside a group of musicians near what appears to be a xylophone or marimba, suggesting he also performed in ensemble stage productions. The bold printed caption along the bottom identifies him by name, billing, and hometown.

The reverse follows a standard divided-back postcard format and bears a handwritten notation reading "COLAZ 3/19/06" along the right edge.

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