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 520

Real Photo Postcard, Two Women in Pirate Costume, Chicago

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
Two unidentified women pose in matching pirate costumes in this real photo postcard produced by the Calumet studio of Chicago, dated on the reverse March 24, 1910. Both wear large tricorn hats bearing a skull-and-crossbones emblem and striped short-sleeve shirts with plaid sashes draped at the hip. The image contradicts the seller's description of men; both subjects present as women, with bobbed hair visible beneath their hats. One sits on an ornate carved wooden stool with her leg raised, while the other stands beside her with hands on hips, both facing the camera with broad smiles.

The standing figure wears tall lace-up leather boots reaching above the knee, dark trousers, and a wristband, while the seated figure's costume includes white stocking tops visible above her boots. The painted studio backdrop is a soft mottled gray typical of the period.

The Calumet studio operated in Chicago and is known to have produced real photo postcards during the early twentieth century, consistent with the postcard back format and the handwritten notation visible on the reverse.

The reverse reads "3/24/10 DOLEZ KG" in pencil along the margin, alongside a Calumet Chicago studio stamp.

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