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" 1865

Est.

$500

$700

SOLD

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" 1865

Est.

$500

$700

SOLD

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 Workshop

Est.

$1,000

$1,500

SOLD

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 Work

Est.

$200

$300

SOLD

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 Tongs

Est.

$500

$700

SOLD

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 Cat

Est.

$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 Clarity

Est.

$1,200

$1,600

Lot Passed

SOLD

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 Companion

Est.

$200

$300

SOLD

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 Cats

Est.

$200

$300

SOLD

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 Figure

Est.

$100

$200

SOLD

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 Dog

Est.

$400

$600

SOLD

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 Retriever

Est.

$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 Table

Est.

$200

$300

Lot 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 Dogs

Est.

$200

$300

Lot Passed

SOLD

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 Dogs

Est.

$200

$300

SOLD

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 Case

Est.

$1,000

$1,500

SOLD

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 Woman

Est.

$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 Tignon

Est.

$800

$1,200

Lot 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 Gentleman

Est.

$200

$300

Lot 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 Woman

Est.

$200

$300

Lot 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 Texas

Est.

$100

$200

Lot Passed

SOLD

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 Eisenmann

Est.

$100

$200

SOLD

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 Gurney

Est.

$1,000

$1,500

SOLD

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 Sash

Est.

$300

$500

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Auction Details

Michael Lehr Antiques

Rockaway, NJ, United States

4.4

24 Reviews

296 Followers

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BID PRICE: Each buyer must have an assigned Buyer's Number prior to bidding. The highest bidder on a lot shall be the buyer of the lot. The purchase price shall be the sum of (1) the price at which the item is sold, plus (2) A BUYER'S PREMIUM OF 27% ON THE BID PRICE OF EACH LOT , plus (3) 3% transaction fee for credit cards and PayPal, plus (4) sales tax unless the purchaser is exempt by law from such taxes. ACCEPTANCE OF BID: As each item is sold, the Auctioneer shall announce the winning bid and the Buyer's Number of the winning bid. Failure of the person assigned to the Buyer's Number to object at the time of announcement shall constitute an acknowledgment of the bid and purchase. The purchaser is legally liable to pay for the item or pay the difference if we must re-offer and sell the item for a lower price. REGULATION OF BID: The Auctioneer shall regulate the bidding and shall be the sole arbiter of any disputes. We reserve the right to withdraw property at any time before the sale and reject a bid from any bidder. PAYMENT AND PICKUP: The balance of the invoice must be paid in full and merchandise picked up within three days of the date of sale. Internet purchases are not available for pickup until the following day. ABSENTEE BIDS: Absentee bids are accepted until fifteen minutes prior to the start of the auction for all lots in the auction. Absentee bids for later lots may continue to be accepted according to announcements or signs posted on the office window. A deposit may be requested on absentee bids over $4000.00. The auctioneer will bid the absentee bid against floor bidders. In the event of a tie, the floor bidder shall prevail. Michael Lehr Antiques assumes no responsibility for failure to execute any bid for any reason and absentee bids are made subject to the Conditions of Sale. Absentee bidders are requested to call after 11am on the first weekday following the sale to find out if they were successful. NO TRANSFERS: No lots shall be sold, transferred, or assigned to anyone other than the winning bidder prior to the removal of the lot from the Gallery and only the winning bidder shall remove the lot. RISK OF LOSS: In the event delivery cannot be made because of loss due to fire, theft, or any other reason, Michael Lehr Antiques shall only be liable for the return of any deposits or payments made by the purchaser. NO WARRANTY; ALL ITEMS SOLD 'AS IS AND WHERE IS' Michael Lehr Antiques, ITS AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES, AND THE CONSIGNOR DO NOT WARRANT ANY LOT TO BE MERCHANTABLE OR TO BE SUITED FOR ANY PURPOSE AND THEY DO NOT ASSUME ANY RISK, LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PERSON AS TO AUTHENTICITY, GENUINENESS, CULTURE, SOURCE, ORIGIN, ATTRIBUTION, PERIOD, PURPOSE OR MEASUREMENTS OF ANY LOT. THESE CONDITIONS MAY NOT BE ALTERED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING, SIGNED BY AUCTIONEER AND BUYER. Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Michael Lehr Antiques shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. RIGHT OF RESCISSION: Notwithstanding the preceding conditions, if within 21 days of the date of sale of any lot, the original purchaser (a) gives notice in writing to us alleging that the identification of Authorship (as defined below) of such lot is not substantially correct based on a fair reading of the catalog (including the terms of glossary contained therein), and (b) with 10 days after such notice returns the lots to us in the same condition as at the time of sale and (c) establishes the allegation in the notice to our satisfaction then the sale of such lot will be rescinded and the original purchase price refunded. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as an admission by us of any representation of fact, express or implied, obligation or responsibility with respect to any lot. The purchaser's sole remedy in the physical condition and size, quality, rarity, importance, provenance, exhibition and literature of historical relevance. PAYMENT: Cash, cashier's check, wire transfer, personal check (items may be held until the check clears), and ATM, MasterCard & VISA accepted. If any legal action is commenced to enforce these Conditions of Sale, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Time is of the essence.

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