Michael Lehr Antiques
Live Auction

September 2026 Vernacular Photo History Auction

Sat, Sep 19, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-09-19 11:00:00 2026-09-19 11:00:00 America/New_York Michael Lehr Michael Lehr : September 2026 Vernacular Photo History Auction https://auction.michaellehrantiques.com/auctions/michael-lehr-antiques/september-2026-vernacular-photo-history-auction-24380
Our September 2026 auction is anchored by two remarkable private collections, together making up about half the sale, alongside a broader selection of consignments spanning early photography, Civil War material, and vernacular imagery. The Soffer Collection, built with an eye for rarity and historical significance, is particularly strong in vernacular portraiture, Native American photographs, and Iowa Civil War imagery. The Palmer, Massachusetts collection, much of it found at Brimfield, centers on maker-marked daguerreotypes from the golden age of the American daguerreian studio.
Michael Lehr Antiques info@michaellehrantiques.com
Lot 470

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype, Early Portrait of a Young Man

Estimate: $300 - $500
Starting Bid
$150

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$100 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
A young man of perhaps his mid-twenties sits for a three-quarter-length sixth plate daguerreotype portrait, most likely produced in the mid 1840s based on the high collar, loosely knotted cravat, and the broad-lapeled dark frock coat worn over a figured waistcoat. The image is housed in a leather case with an embossed floral and foliate cartouche on the front cover and gold-tooled spine edging. No photographer's imprint is visible on the plate or case interior.

The subject faces slightly left with a composed, direct expression, his dark curly hair worn short on the sides and fuller at the crown. A tall white stock collar rises to the jaw, topped by a loosely tied white cravat that falls open at the chest. His arms are folded loosely at the waist, and the hands rest at the lower frame edge. The gilded brass mat is octagonal with clipped corners.

The interior pad is covered in deep crimson velvet with an embossed scroll and acanthus pattern worked in relief. The leather case exterior shows a ribbed grain with a debossed floral panel centered on the front cover, and the case opens on a single brass hinge with a pin clasp visible on the spine edge.

Property of a Palmer, Massachusetts gentleman.

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