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 526

Real Photo Postcard, Midget Angelo Rossitto and Man Mountain Dean, Camp Young

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
Angelo Rossitto, identified by printed caption as "Little Angelo Rossitto, Camp Newsboy, One in. Shorter than a yard," stands at left beside Sgt. Frank S. Leavitt, the professional wrestler known as "Man Mountain Dean," at the Headquarters Desert Training Center, Camp Young, California. The image is printed as a real photo postcard format with typed caption text appearing below the photograph on the card face. No photographer's imprint is visible, and the reverse is unused with a standard divided-back layout and a stamp box marked "Place 1 Cent Stamp Here."

Rossitto wears dark trousers with visible suspenders and stands looking up at Leavitt, who is dressed in a light military uniform shirt, trousers, and a steel helmet, with one hand resting on his hip. The two figures are posed in bright desert sunlight before a row of canvas military tents, with sandy ground and additional camp structures visible in the background.

Angelo Rossitto was a well-known dwarf actor who appeared in dozens of Hollywood films from the silent era through the 1980s, while Frank Leavitt, a celebrated professional wrestler, served during World War II and made morale appearances at military installations under his famous ring name.

The reverse bears a penciled notation reading "7/12/14 DOL AZ."

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