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 383

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype, Girl Holding a Bell

Estimate: $200 - $300
Starting Bid
$100

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 girl seated on a tasseled pillow, holding a small bell in one hand, is the subject of this sixth plate daguerreotype presented in its brass mat and leather case. No photographer's imprint is visible on the plate or case. No further identifying detail, such as a name or date, accompanies the sitting, and the format and hand tinting are consistent with daguerreotype production of the 1850s.

The girl wears an off the shoulder checked dress with full gathered sleeves and a wide gathered skirt pooling around her on the pillow seat. Her hair is centrally parted and drawn back close to her head, and her cheeks carry a light applied tint typical of the period. Both hands rest together at her waist, one gripping the small bell by its handle.

The pillow beneath her is edged with a decorative tassel, and the bell she holds appears to be a small brass or metal type with a turned handle. The case's interior pad and brass mat both display matching foliate ornamentation, indicating they were produced as a coordinated set typical of the period. No other props or setting details are visible in the plate.

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