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 479

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype, Man, Fuller & Co, Hartford

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 bearded man in formal dress is rendered in this sixth plate daguerreotype, produced by Lorenzo Francis Fuller operating as Fuller & Co., one of Hartford, Connecticut's most active daguerreian studios of the late 1840s and early 1850s. Fuller's career spanned multiple cities and partnerships, with his Hartford gallery at the corner of Main and Asylum Streets earning second prize for daguerreotypes at the Hartford County Agricultural Fair in October 1848. The image dates most likely between 1846 and 1855, the period of Fuller's documented Hartford activity.

The subject is shown in a three-quarter pose, wearing a dark frock coat open over a white shirt with a broad, pleated front and a small black bow tie at the collar. His dark hair is swept back from a high forehead, and a neatly trimmed chin beard frames a composed, direct expression. One hand rests partially visible at his waist, and the oval brass mat frames the composition tightly against a plain gray ground.

Lorenzo Francis Fuller (1826 to unknown) was listed as a daguerreian artist in the 1850 Hartford census and operated in partnership as Bartlett and Fuller at 194 Main Street through 1850 before continuing as Fuller & Co. The studio name "Fuller & Co." is embossed directly into the gilt brass mat at the lower left, serving as the photographer's imprint within the presentation itself.

The image is housed in a leather case with an ornate floral and foliate brass mat bearing the embossed studio imprint "Fuller & Co." at lower left.

Property of a Palmer, Massachusetts gentleman.

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