Michael Lehr Antiques
Live Auction

Spring Photographic History Auction

Sat, May 3, 2025 01:00PM EDT
  2025-05-03 13:00:00 2025-05-03 13:00:00 America/New_York Michael Lehr Michael Lehr : Spring Photographic History Auction https://auction.michaellehrantiques.com/auctions/michael-lehr-antiques/spring-photographic-history-auction-19217
Raw, rare, and unforgettable—this is 19th- and early 20th-century photography at its best. Vernacular portraits, Native American warriors, African American resilience, Mormon pioneers, Western frontier families, and stark post-mortem scenes. Daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, CDVs, and cabinet cards that capture real life without filters. Every image tells a story of survival, pride, and change. A museum-worthy collection for those who know real American history when they see it.
Michael Lehr Antiques info@michaellehrantiques.com
Lot 314

Three Early 20th Century Silver Gelatin Prints of Navajo Women

Estimate: $100 - $200
Starting Bid
$50

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Group of three striking, small-format silver gelatin photographs, each measuring approximately 2 1/4" x 4 1/4", depicting Navajo women and a family group in traditional dress. These finely detailed images capture the subjects posed against adobe walls and in front of a hogan structure, highlighting the distinctive textiles, jewelry, and layered garments associated with Navajo culture in the early 1900s.

One photo shows a woman in a gingham skirt and blouse with heavy silver jewelry; another features a young mother holding a child, both gazing away from the camera in a beautifully intimate composition; and the third presents a couple in formal dress, the man wearing a scarf and suspenders, the woman adorned with bold necklaces and a dark shawl.

All three prints are exceptionally well-composed and clean, with strong contrast and crisp detail. Likely taken by a skilled amateur or anthropologically-minded photographer during the early reservation or trading post era. A powerful visual document of Navajo identity, resilience, and family structure during a transitional period in the Southwest.

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