September 2026 Photographic History Auction

Our September 2026 auction is anchored by two remarkable private collections that together showcase the richness and diversity of nineteenth-century American photography, alongside a broader selection of consignments spanning early photography, Civil War material, and vernacular imagery. The first is the collection of James Lee Soffer, assembled over decades with a discerning eye for rarity, historical significance, and visual impact. Spanning the earliest decades of photography through the Civil War era, the Soffer Collection is particularly strong in vernacular portraiture, Native American photographs, and Iowa Civil War imagery, offering collectors an exceptional opportunity to acquire fresh-to-market material. Complementing the Soffer Collection is an outstanding Palmer, Massachusetts collection, much of it discovered over years of searching the fields and dealers of Brimfield. Rich in maker-marked daguerreotypes, the collection reflects the golden age of the American daguerreian studio, with numerous identified photographers and finely executed portraits that will appeal to collectors of early photographic processes, regional makers, and occupational history. Together, these two collections make up about half of the sale and give the auction unusual depth across daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, CDVs, and cabinet cards, featuring both historically important subjects and compelling vernacular images that reward careful study. From documented Civil War photographs and Native American portraits to scarce maker-marked daguerreotypes and exceptional nineteenth-century studio work, this sale offers opportunities for seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts alike, with broad appeal across multiple collecting categories throughout the rest of the catalog as well. Collectors bidding directly through our platform receive free shipping on all photographic purchases greater than $500.

Full catalog and bidding: view on liveauctioneers.