Spring Photographic History Auction

Julia Margaret Cameron Carbon Print, "Story of The Heavens" 1865

Smallest Known Daguerreotype of Niagara Falls

Rare CDV of a Tin Top Hat Trade Sign, South Bend, Indiana

Done

Rockaway, NJ, United States

Auction Details

Spring Photographic History Auction

Michael Lehr Antiques

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.

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Julia Margaret Cameron Carbon Print, "Story of The Heavens" 1865: Poetic and powerfully expressive carbon print by Julia Margaret Cameron (1815–1879), titled Story of the Heavens, circa 1865. The print measures approximately 5 ½ x 7 ½ inches and is

0101: Julia Margaret Cameron Carbon Print, "Story of The Heavens" 1865Est. $500-$700

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Julia Margaret Cameron Carbon Print, "Freddy and Lizzie" 1865: Iconic carbon print by pioneering British photographer Julia Margaret Cameron (1815–1879), titled Freddy and Lizzie, circa 1865. Measuring approximately 7 ½ x 5 ½ inches and housed in

0102: Julia Margaret Cameron Carbon Print, "Freddy and Lizzie" 1865Est. $500-$700

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Extremely Rare Tintype of a Carriage Maker’s Workshop: Highly uncommon occupational quarter plate tintype showing a carriage maker at work inside his shop, captured with exceptional clarity. The craftsman stands at his bench, tools and materials

0103: Extremely Rare Tintype of a Carriage Maker’s WorkshopEst. $1,000-$1,500

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Tintype A Striking Portrait of a Tinsmith with Tools and Work: Exceptional sixth plate tintype showing a proud and sharply dressed tinsmith, seated with a display of his trade. The man wears a patterned shirt, vest, and a glossy work cap, while confidently

0104: Tintype A Striking Portrait of a Tinsmith with Tools and WorkEst. $200-$300

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Tintype of an Animated Blacksmith with His Anvil, Hammer, and Tongs: Fantastic quarter plate tintype of a hardworking blacksmith caught mid-action, frozen in the pose of his trade. He stands confidently behind a large anvil, holding his hammer aloft in one hand and

0105: Tintype of an Animated Blacksmith with His Anvil, Hammer, and TongsEst. $500-$700

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Cabinet Card Photograph of “Foxy?? the Angora Cat: This charming late 19th-century cabinet card captures a prize Angora cat named “Foxy” in a professional studio portrait taken by C.H. Gallup & Co. of Poughkeepsie, New York. The cat is shown

0106: Cabinet Card Photograph of “Foxy?? the Angora CatEst. $200-$300

Exceptional Half-Plate Daguerreotype of Family with Cat in Superb Clarity: A beautifully composed and technically superb half-plate daguerreotype capturing a full family grouping—father, mother, and their five daughters—in a tight, formal pose. Each subject is rendered

0107: Exceptional Half-Plate Daguerreotype of Family with Cat in Superb ClarityEst. $1,200-$1,600Lot Passed

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Tintype of a Girl with Cat and Loyal Dog Companion: Charming sixth plate tintype depicting a young girl seated in a fringed chair, cradling a striped tabby cat in her lap while a large, attentive dog lays by her side. Her composed expression contrasts

0108: Tintype of a Girl with Cat and Loyal Dog CompanionEst. $200-$300

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Charming Tintype Portrait: Two Women with Cats: A delightful tintype featuring two finely dressed Victorian-era women, each comfortably posed with their cherished feline companions. Both women present a confident and composed appearance, seated

0109: Charming Tintype Portrait: Two Women with CatsEst. $200-$300

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Strange Vernacular Tintype with fabric printed animal pillows and Defaced Figure: Unusual and darkly humorous CDV-size vernacular tintype featuring five seated individuals posed indoors with an array of fabric-printed and stuffed animal pillows, including a dog, rabbit, monkey,

0110: Strange Vernacular Tintype with fabric printed animal pillows and Defaced FigureEst. $100-$200

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European Daguerreotype of a Family and Their Big White Dog: A rare and visually captivating European quarter plate daguerreotype featuring a well-dressed family posed with their large white dog—a striking and unusual inclusion in early photography. Composed

0111: European Daguerreotype of a Family and Their Big White DogEst. $400-$600

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Rare Quarter Plate Daguerreotype of Boy with Early Labrador Retriever: An extraordinary and possibly unique quarter plate daguerreotype featuring a young boy seated on a checkered studio floor beside what appears to be a Labrador Retriever—an exceedingly rare and

0112: Rare Quarter Plate Daguerreotype of Boy with Early Labrador RetrieverEst. $400-$600

Charming 1870s Tintype of Performing Dog Standing on Table: Amusing and sharply composed vernacular tintype of a white dog posed upright on its hind legs atop a patterned tablecloth, likely taken in a studio setting, circa 1870s–1880s. The dog’s perked

0113: Charming 1870s Tintype of Performing Dog Standing on TableEst. $200-$300Lot Passed

Four Charming Tintypes of Groups with Their Dogs: A delightful group of four original 19th-century tintypes capturing people posed with their beloved dogs, showcasing both the stylistic variety and vernacular creativity of the era. These images

0114: Four Charming Tintypes of Groups with Their DogsEst. $200-$300Lot Passed

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Group of Four Tintypes of Men with Their Dogs: Unusual and character-rich group of four CDV-sized tintypes, each capturing a different man with his beloved dog, spanning a variety of vernacular studio and outdoor settings. The photographs offer

0115: Group of Four Tintypes of Men with Their DogsEst. $200-$300

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Rare Daguerreotype of African American Woman in Floral Papier-Mâché Case: Exceptional mid-19th century sixth plate daguerreotype portrait of a young African American woman posed in a three-quarter seated view. Her elegant presence is enhanced by the clarity of the image

0116: Rare Daguerreotype of African American Woman in Floral Papier-Mâché CaseEst. $1,000-$1,500

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Ambrotype Striking Portrait of Young African American Woman: Exceptional sixth plate ambrotype of a poised and elegantly dressed young African American woman, seated with one hand resting on a table and the other delicately holding a folded cloth or paper. Her

0117: Ambrotype Striking Portrait of Young African American WomanEst. $200-$300

Ambrotype of an African American Woman with Tignon: A powerful and visually arresting sixth plate ambrotype depicting an African American woman seated in a formal studio setting, wearing a tignon—a wrapped head covering historically worn by Creole

0118: Ambrotype of an African American Woman with TignonEst. $800-$1,200Lot Passed

Tintype of a Distinguished African American Gentleman: Exceptional sixth plate tintype portrait of a well-dressed African American man, in formal attire with a dark jacket, white shirt, bow tie, and a calm, confident expression. His neatly groomed hair

0119: Tintype of a Distinguished African American GentlemanEst. $200-$300Lot Passed

Ambrotype Copy of a Daguerreotype of African American Woman: Extremely rare and historically significant ninth plate ambrotype, created as a direct copy of an earlier daguerreotype—likely dating to the early 1840s or earlier—depicting an elderly African

0120: Ambrotype Copy of a Daguerreotype of African American WomanEst. $200-$300Lot Passed

Cabinet Card of an African American Gentleman From Texas: Full-length cabinet card portrait of a well-dressed African American man posed beside a heavily textured faux tree trunk with carved-out birdhouses. His right hand rests on the tree while a soft cap

0121: Cabinet Card of an African American Gentleman From TexasEst. $100-$200Lot Passed

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CDV of Barney Nelson, Armless African American Child by Eisenmann: Uncommonly seen carte de visite of Barney Nelson, a young African American child performer born without arms, photographed by Charles Eisenmann at his studio on 229 Bowery, New York. Identified in

0122: CDV of Barney Nelson, Armless African American Child by EisenmannEst. $100-$200

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Half Plate Daguerreotype of Abolitionist Rev. Joseph Parrish Thompson by Jeremiah Gurney: This is an exceptional mid-19th-century half-plate daguerreotype by renowned American photographer Jeremiah Gurney captures Rev. Joseph Parrish Thompson, a prominent Congregationalist minister,

0123: Half Plate Daguerreotype of Abolitionist Rev. Joseph Parrish Thompson by Jeremiah GurneyEst. $1,000-$1,500

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Daguerroeytpe - Temperance Society Member with Sash: Exceptional and finely hand-tinted sixth-plate daguerreotype portrait of a proud young man seated beside a covered table, dressed in formal attire and adorned with striking patriotic regalia. He

0124: Daguerroeytpe - Temperance Society Member with SashEst. $300-$500

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Auction Details

Michael Lehr Antiques

Rockaway, NJ, United States

4.4

16 Reviews

232 Followers

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