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 448

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype, Young Man, by Appleby

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 young man is the subject of this sixth plate daguerreotype, housed in a leather case and attributed to Appleby, most likely Richard B. Appleby, who operated studios in Binghamton around 1849 to 1850 and in Rochester, New York from approximately 1851 to 1859. The image dates to the early-to-mid 1850s based on the attribution and the sitter's dress. Appleby's imprint appears stamped directly into the lower left corner of the brass mat.

The subject is shown in a three-quarter bust pose, his gaze directed slightly off-axis with a composed, self-assured expression. He wears a dark frock coat with wide satin lapels over a matching waistcoat, a white shirt with a turned-down collar, and a loosely knotted cravat with a decorative pin or brooch at the knot. His dark hair is full and swept back with natural wave on both sides.

The oval brass mat is framed by a laurel-leaf border, and the burgundy velvet pad inside the case lid is intact. The leather case exterior displays an elaborate embossed design centered on a cartouche with scrolling foliate motifs filling the entire cover surface, with a brass clasp on the side.

The photographer's name "APPLEBY" is stamped into the lower left of the brass mat surround.

Property of a Palmer, Massachusetts gentleman.

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