Michael Lehr Antiques
Live Auction

March 2026 Unreserved Photo Auction — Curiosities, Performers & Vernacular Photography

Sat, Mar 28, 2026 01:00PM EDT
  2026-03-28 13:00:00 2026-03-28 13:00:00 America/New_York Michael Lehr Michael Lehr : March 2026 Unreserved Photo Auction — Curiosities, Performers & Vernacular Photography https://auction.michaellehrantiques.com/auctions/michael-lehr-antiques/march-2026-unreserved-photo-auction-curiosities-performers-vernacular-photography-22648
Our March 2026 auction presents a wide selection of historical photographs, postcards, entertainment memorabilia, and visual curiosities spanning the mid-nineteenth through twentieth centuries. Every lot is offered completely without reserve, ensuring that each item sells to the highest bidder regardless of price. Combined purchases totaling $500 or more qualify for free shipping, providing collectors an added incentive to bid across multiple lots. The unreserved format creates opportunities for both new and experienced collectors to acquire unusual and historically interesting material.
Michael Lehr Antiques info@michaellehrantiques.com
Lot 219

RPPC Astoria Tattooed by Chas. W. Gibson

Estimate: $50 - $400
Starting Bid
$10

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
Real photo postcard featuring “Astoria,” with the printed credit “Tattooed by Chas. W. Gibson” visible on the image. Publisher or photographer credit “Photo Auto by Rano” appears along the lower edge. Divided back postcard with printed identifier line.



The portrait shows a young woman posed in profile with her head turned to the left, hair gathered with a thin headband. Her shoulders and upper back are fully tattooed, dominated by a wide scene band across the shoulder blades. Above the scene is a row of stars and a radiating sunburst motif, with additional scrolling fill and patterned shading extending to the arms. She wears a strapless dark top that exposes the full design across the back. The studio background is dark and uncluttered, putting emphasis on the tattoo work and the crisp profile silhouette. On the reverse, the card is unused for mailing but includes a clearly written date and circus reference, along with the printed line “COLBXZ 1/15/06 V1. Adv.”



The front bears the printed text: Astoria; Tattooed by Chas. W. Gibson; Photo Auto by Rano. The reverse reads: [printed line at bottom] COLBXZ 1/15/06 V1. Adv.. Handwritten inscriptions read: May 10,21; Ringling Bros; J B + B..

Available payment options

PayPal

Spend $500 or more at our auction and all of your SHIPPING IS FREE, buyers to pay insurance if they want it.