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 405

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype, Portrait of a Young Girl

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 in a carved wooden chair anchors this sixth plate daguerreotype, most likely produced in the early to mid 1850s based on the styling of the image and case. She faces the camera with a calm, direct gaze, her dark hair parted at the center and falling in long ringlets to her shoulders. The white short-sleeved dress she wears features a wide flat collar and a checked or plaid fabric detail at the sleeve cuff, consistent with children's fashions of the period. No photographer's imprint is visible on the case or mat.

The oval brass mat frames the composition tightly from the waist up, with the child's right hand resting on the arm of the dark-painted chair. The checked fabric of her dress is also partially visible at the lower edge of the frame, adding a second patterned textile element to the portrait. The mustard-gold velvet pad of the inner case provides a warm contrast to the silver tones of the plate.

The leather case is embossed on the exterior with an elaborate symmetrical design featuring a central quatrefoil medallion surrounded by scrolling acanthus leaves and floral rosettes, with gilded highlights throughout the raised decoration. The interior retains its original red fabric lining and brass hardware closure along the right spine.

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