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 566

Real Photo Postcard, Three Nurses in Clinical Room

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
Three unidentified nurses occupy a clinical setting in this real photo postcard, produced in the standard RPPC format and dating to the early twentieth century based on the divided-back layout and photographic printing style. All three women wear white uniforms with high collars and starched nursing caps, presenting a formal professional appearance consistent with hospital portrait conventions of the era. No photographer's imprint appears on the reverse.

The central figure is seated in an adjustable treatment chair draped in a white clinical gown and wears wire-rimmed spectacles, her cap distinguished by a dark band. The standing nurse at left, also wearing spectacles, reaches toward a washbasin mounted to a cabinet with multiple drawers and glass-front storage panels, while a row of small medicine bottles lines the shelf beside larger glass vessels. The nurse at right stands with hands clasped behind her back, gazing away from the camera. A suspended IV-style apparatus rises behind the seated figure, and a wheeled cart holding folded linens is visible at the far right.

Real photo postcards documenting nurses in clinical environments are valued occupational records, capturing the professionalization of nursing during the late Progressive Era when formal training programs and standardized uniforms became widely adopted across American and European hospitals.

The reverse bears a penciled inscription reading "NURSES" at the top and the notation "20CB1 94" at the lower right. The card is unused, with no correspondence or address written.

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