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 146

Tintype, Young Girl in Stars and Stripes Dress

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 $5,000
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
A young unidentified girl stands at the center of this full-length tintype, her direct gaze fixed toward the camera with a solemn expression. The format and style of dress place the image in the latter half of the nineteenth century, and no photographer's imprint is visible. She is posed beside a dark upholstered studio chair, her right arm resting across its back in a manner typical of the period's posing conventions.

Her dress is a striking patriotic garment featuring vertical stripes paired with a star-patterned panel, with long fitted sleeves and a loose, smocked bodice that falls to the floor. A striped cap with a rounded crown sits atop her short dark hair, coordinating with the dress in a deliberate ensemble. A patterned carpet is visible beneath her feet, and a painted studio backdrop with a partial column prop appears at the left edge of the frame.

The stars and stripes costume suggests the photograph may have been taken near a patriotic occasion or holiday, a practice common in American portrait studios during the post-Civil War era. Such deliberate costuming in tintype portraiture is an increasingly documented phenomenon tied to Fourth of July celebrations and similar commemorations.

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.