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 444

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype, Man with Book, T.H. Newcomer

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
An unidentified man is portrayed in this sixth plate daguerreotype, produced by T. H. Newcomer of Philadelphia, active at 316 North Second Street from 1851 to 1855. The velvet liner of the case is embossed with an eagle motif and the Newcomer imprint, firmly placing this portrait within his documented early period. The image is housed in a leather case with an embossed floral design on the front cover and a red velvet padded liner opposite the plate.

The subject is seated in three-quarter view, wearing a dark frock coat with satin lapels, a white shirt with an exposed placket, and a loosely knotted cravat at the throat. He holds a small bound book or document upright in both hands, his direct gaze and composed expression lending the portrait a sense of professional formality. His dark, curly hair is swept back from a broad forehead.

T. H. Newcomer (1826 to after 1860) was a Philadelphia daguerreian who worked at several addresses along North Second Street across the 1850s. By the 1860 federal census he identified himself as a photographer and was living with his wife and two young children.

The case velvet liner bears an embossed eagle with the Newcomer imprint and the 316 North Second Street address visible in the design.

Property of a Palmer, Massachusetts gentleman.

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