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 421

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype, Young Child in Tartan Dress

Estimate: $100 - $200
Starting Bid
$50

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 sixth plate daguerreotype presents a young red-haired child seated directly before the camera in a full-length pose that fills the small plate with remarkable presence. The image dates to the 1850s based on the format, case style, and costume, and was made by an unidentified photographer. Applied tinting warms the plaid tartan dress to a distinct reddish tone, a deliberate colorist choice that elevates this plate beyond a standard child portrait.

The child wears a button-front tartan dress with elbow-length sleeves and a wide lace-edged collar, the buttons along the bodice individually hand-pricked to create a dimensional highlight effect. White pantalettes extend below the hemline and gather at the knee, and small dark shoes are just visible at the feet. The child's hands rest loosely clasped in the lap, and a carved studio column is partially visible at left alongside the arm of a wooden chair.

The hand-pricking of the buttons is an uncommon colorist technique, requiring fine tools applied dot by dot to each button to catch and reflect light, and it signals a skilled finisher working above the standard trade level. The leather case retains its original gilt-stamped floral covers on both boards and a salmon silk pad lining the empty lid.

No photographer's imprint is present. The case exterior bears embossed floral and scroll decoration on both covers with remnant gilt.

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