Michael Lehr Antiques
Live Auction

June 2026 Vernacular Photo History Auction

Wed, Jun 24, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-06-24 11:00:00 2026-06-24 11:00:00 America/New_York Michael Lehr Michael Lehr : June 2026 Vernacular Photo History Auction https://auction.michaellehrantiques.com/auctions/michael-lehr-antiques/june-2026-vernacular-photo-history-auction-23574
Our June 2026 auction presents a focused and exceptional selection of historical photographs spanning the 1840s through the early twentieth century, with unusual depth in named subjects, rare formats, and documented provenance anchored by strong vernacular material that rewards close looking.
Michael Lehr Antiques info@michaellehrantiques.com
Lot 575

Stereoviews, Goodyear Blimps, Great Lakes Expo, Cleveland Ohio

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 $5,000
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
A group of five stereoviews documenting Goodyear blimps photographed at the Great Lakes Exposition in Cleveland, Ohio, between 1936 and 1937. Four of the stereoviews are mounted on black card stock and attributed on their reverses to amateur photographer Rudolph Snayder. The fifth is a published Keystone View Company card numbered 33072, captioned on the front as depicting a Goodyear blimp at what appears to be a world's fair grounds, with the Unisphere-like steel globe structure visible in the background alongside exhibition pavilions. Two of the Snayder stereoviews show the Goodyear blimp Resolute, dated 9/5/36 and 7/3/37 respectively, and two document the blimp Puritan, both dated 10/3/36.

The Snayder images show the blimps from dramatically varied angles: one pair captures the airship low over a crowd of men in suits and caps standing along a promenade railing, another pair shows the blimp nose-down and nearly vertical above a mountain treeline, and a third pair depicts the craft floating above a castellated stone building. The Keystone card shows the blimp cruising at low altitude above a broad exhibition boulevard lined with spectators.

The Great Lakes Exposition ran in Cleveland during the summers of 1936 and 1937, drawing millions of visitors, and Goodyear blimps served as prominent aerial attractions throughout both seasons. The Resolute and Puritan were among the active Goodyear fleet during this period, used extensively for promotional appearances at major public events.

Reverse labels on the four Snayder mounts read: "Great Lakes Expo, Cleveland, Ohio / Goodyear Blimp [Resolute or Puritan] / Photographed by Rudolph Snayder" with individual dates as noted above.

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay
PayPal

All SHIPPING IS FREE for purchases above $500, buyers to pay insurance at $2 per $100.