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 463

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype, Young Woman, Morris Moses, Trenton NJ

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 woman seated in three-quarter view anchors this sixth plate daguerreotype, attributed to Morris Moses of Trenton, New Jersey, and dateable to the period 1850 to 1860 based on the photographer's documented activity and the subject's fashionable dress. Moses operated at multiple East State Street addresses during this decade and was among the more established daguerreians working in central New Jersey. The image is housed in a leather case with a deeply embossed burgundy cover centering a starburst medallion surrounded by scrolling acanthus foliate decoration.

The subject wears a dark silk dress with a fitted bodice, puffed sleeves tapering to narrow wrists, and a broad white lace collar fastened at the throat with a small brooch. Drop earrings with a pendant element are visible at each ear, and her dark hair is center-parted and arranged in tight coiled buns above each temple. Her right arm rests on what appears to be a patterned textile or book in her lap, and her gaze meets the lens directly with a composed, steady expression.

Morris Moses is documented in Craig's Daguerreian Registry as active in Trenton from 1850 through at least 1865, with addresses including Trenton City Hall, 30-1/2 East State Street, and later 13 East State Street. His imprint, reading "Moses / Sky-Light, Trenton, N.J.," is stamped into the brass mat, confirming the attribution directly from the image itself.

The photographer's imprint "Moses / Sky-Light, Trenton, N.J." is embossed on the lower portion of the gilt brass mat. The image is a sixth plate format.

Property of a Palmer, Massachusetts gentleman.

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