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 568

Stereoview, Cha-kpe Little Six, Sioux Chief, Martin's Gallery

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
Cha-kpe, also known as Little Six (Little Fox in some records), a Dakota Sioux chief, is the subject of this stereoview produced by Martin's Gallery of Stereoscopic Views, 315 Third Street, Upper Town, St. Paul, Minnesota. The image dates to circa 1864, consistent with the handwritten inscription on the reverse, and ranks among the most historically charged Native American portraits to emerge from the Minnesota frontier photography trade of that era.

The subject sits before a rough adobe or stone wall, wearing a light wool blanket draped over both shoulders and a cloth headband wrapped tightly around his brow. His expression is composed and direct, his gaze turned slightly to the left of the camera. The fringe of the blanket is visible at his lap, and a plain light-colored shirt collar is just discernible at his throat.

Cha-kpe was a Mdewakanton Dakota leader implicated in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 in Minnesota. He was captured, transported to Canada, and later extradited to the United States, where he was hanged at Fort Snelling in November 1865.

The reverse bears a printed label for Martin's Gallery and a handwritten inscription reading "St. Paul Min. June 30th 1864," along with the identification "Cha-kpe (Little Six) Sioux Chief engaged in Massacre of 1862." A dealer number "351.20" appears in red ink on the recto.

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