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 583

Stereoview, Tree Weber Canon, 1000 Miles West of Omaha

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 tall conifer growing from the rocky embankment of Weber Canyon anchors this albumen stereoview, photographed by C. W. Carter of Salt Lake City, Utah, and dating to circa the late 1860s or early 1870s in the era of Union Pacific construction through Utah Territory. The view was published on a distinctive yellow mount and recorded one of the most photographed landmarks along the transcontinental railroad corridor. A printed title label on the mount identifies the subject as "Tree Weber Canon, 1000 Miles West of Omaha."

The track recedes sharply toward the middle distance along a single set of rails flanked by loose rock and construction debris, with steep canyon walls rising on both sides. A small group of figures stands on or near a handcar on the track, and a telegraph pole is visible just left of center. A banner or sign reading "1000 Mile Tree" is affixed to the trunk of the conifer itself.

Charles William Carter was one of Utah's foremost early photographers, active from the 1860s through the 1890s, and documented the transcontinental railroad, Mormon settlements, and the landscape of the Great Basin extensively. His Weber Canyon series ranks among the most significant Western railroad views of the period.

The reverse bears the printed imprint "C. W. Carter, Photographer, Salt Lake City, Utah." The recto left margin is inscribed in ink "No. 217" and the lower left margin reads "YRL 1870" in period manuscript notation.

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