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 428

Sixth Plate Tintype, Two Ethnic Women Portrait

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
Two women share a seated-and-standing pose in this sixth plate tintype, most likely produced during the 1860s to 1870s based on the dress styles and format. The image is housed in a full leather case with an ornate embossed brass mat framing an oval opening. No photographer's imprint is visible.

The seated woman wears a light-colored dress with pintuck detailing down the bodice and a brooch at the collar, her hands folded in her lap and her gaze directed steadily at the camera. The standing woman rests her right hand on the seated woman's shoulder and wears a dark dress with a white collar, her features significantly obscured by emulsion loss across the upper portion of the plate. The contrast between the light and dark garments gives the composition a strong visual structure.

Tintypes of this period depicting women of color in a paired portrait format are relatively uncommon survivors, and the evident care taken in dress and presentation reflects the deliberate nature of the sitting. The ornate brass mat with foliate and scroll motifs is well defined and typical of cases produced in the 1860s.

The sixth plate tintype measures at standard sixth plate size and is housed in a full leather case with no inscription or notation visible on the interior.

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