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 454

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype, Young Man, by J M Williams

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 man sits as the subject of this sixth plate daguerreotype, presented in a leather case with an embossed geometric diamond pattern on the exterior and a floral rose motif pressed into the interior panels. The photographer's imprint "J.M. Williams" is stamped directly into the lower portion of the gilt mat, attributing the image to a named studio. Applied hand-coloring warms the cheeks and highlights the large blue silk cravat tied loosely at the collar.

The subject wears a dark frock coat over a matching waistcoat, with a white shirt and wide collar visible beneath the cravat. His reddish-brown hair is swept back and parted near the center, and he meets the camera with a composed, direct expression. One arm rests on the arm of a carved wooden chair, the other hand rests at his waist, and a watch chain is visible crossing the front of the waistcoat.

The ornate gilt mat features a shaped cartouche opening with a scalloped border, and the embossed leather case spine shows the hinge construction typical of American daguerreian-era cases from the 1840s to 1850s.

The photographer's name "J.M. Williams" appears stamped in raised letters on the lower bar of the gilt mat.

Property of a Palmer, Massachusetts gentleman.

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