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 113

RPPC, All Black Sunny South Band, Rockwell's Big City Show

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 $5,000
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
Identified by printed caption as the Sunny South band, part of Rockwell's Big City Show during the 1910-11 season, this real photo postcard preserves a formal group portrait of eleven African American musicians arranged across three rows before a studio backdrop. The photograph was made by McDonald of Wiarton, Ontario, and the AZO stamp box on the reverse places production in the early real photo postcard era consistent with the stated season.

The musicians wear matching dark military-style band uniforms with caps, with drum major J.W. Turner distinguished by a braided white jacket, tall boots, and a baton. A large bass drum bearing the legend "The Sunny South" and a reference to Rockwell's Big City Show anchors the foreground, flanked by a snare drum and a euphonium, while tuba, cornets, a trombone, an altophone, and a clarinet are visible among the group.

Printed captions identify all eleven members by name and instrument: C.W. Goodly on tuba, J.W. Turner as drum major, Happy Bill Griggs on cymbals, H. Morgan on bass drum, Tip Saunders on snare drum, R. Edmonds on altophone, Geo. Thomas as B-flat cornet leader, J. Oberly on trombone, Al Preveaux on B-flat cornet, Teddy Redmond on euphonium, L. Bedford on E-flat cornet, and Min. Mitchell on clarinet.

The reverse is inscribed from Harry Morgan to Miss Mable Champain, addressed to Essex, Ontario, with a notation referencing Rockwell's Sunny South.

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