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 504

Sixth-Plate Tintype, Young Child, Rare CDV-Size Thermoplastic Case

Estimate: $50 - $100
Starting Bid
$25

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 child stands in full-length pose within a sixth-plate tintype housed in a rare CDV-size thermoplastic case, a format highly sought after by Civil War-era collectors. The tintype is secured beneath a gilt-edged brass mat with an ornate foliate border and protected by a cover glass. No photographer's imprint is visible, and the portrait dates stylistically to the 1860s based on the case format and photographic process.

The child wears a plaid dress with a ruffled hem, matching plaid bloomers, white stockings, and lace-up ankle boots. Short light hair frames a direct, wide-eyed expression. One arm rests on the curved back of a studio chair with an upholstered seat, and a decorative architectural backdrop is visible at lower right.

The CDV-size thermoplastic case is itself the rarer object here, distinguishing this lot from standard sixth-plate housing. Both covers carry identical deep-relief molded decoration: a large central Gothic floral medallion with a finial crown, surrounded by a border of quatrefoil corner blocks and continuous vine scrollwork. The interior opposite the image retains its original brown velvet pad. The brass hinge is intact and functional on both spine and clasp sides.

No markings, inscriptions, or catalog notations are present on the case or image.

Property of a Palmer, Massachusetts gentleman.

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