Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

Glimpses: Vintage, Fine, and Vernacular Photography

Thu, Jul 23, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-07-23 11:00:00 2026-07-23 11:00:00 America/New_York Potter & Potter Auctions Potter & Potter Auctions : Glimpses: Vintage, Fine, and Vernacular Photography https://auction.potterauctions.com/auctions/potter-potter/glimpses-vintage-fine-and-vernacular-photography-23627
This diverse sale - made up of fine, vintage, and vernacular photographs - will focus closely on the snapshot. Once considered mere "fabrics of yesteryear," these fleeting images have been recently reclaimed by the collecting community, and appreciated for their candid, historical, and visual depth. But all genres of photographs will be represented, with featured lots to include space and NASA material, sideshow cabinet cards, fine art photos, and vernacular works of all types. Potter & Potter Auctions info@potterauctions.com
View Catalog (380)

Prev Lot
Next Lot
Group of 11 San Francisco Novelty Arcade Studio Risqué Photo Cards.
Lot 355

Group of 11 San Francisco Novelty Arcade Studio Risqué Photo Cards.

Estimate: $200 - $300
Inquire
Starting Bid
$100
Bid increments chart

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$30 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

Group of 11 San Francisco Novelty Arcade Studio Risqué Photo Cards. Including examples from “Gay 90’s Studio,” “Barbary Coast Studio,” and the International Settlement. Each depicts a humorous or risqué staged scene utilizing painted backdrops with inserted photographic portrait heads, a popular tourist amusement format associated with the Barbary Coast and Chinatown districts. Imagery features cross-dressing figures, bathing and domestic scenes, and caricatured compositions reflecting period popular culture and vice-era entertainment. Several retain printed studio imprints and locations, including Grant Avenue. A cohesive and visually engaging group of West Coast vernacular photographic ephemera. Uniformly sized at approximately 3 1/2 x 5 1/2".

Condition

Light to moderate toning, handling wear, and occasional edge wear. Overall, very good.

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay

If your bid is successful, as an alternative to in-house shipping, we can provide you with a list of shippers. We will not be responsible for the acts or omissions of carriers or packers whether or not recommended by us. Property will not be released to the shipper without the buyer's written consent and until payment has been made in full. Packing and handling by us of purchased lots is at the entire risk of the purchaser, and Potter and Potter Auctions, Inc. will have no liability of any loss or damage to such items. Packing and shipping expenses shall be added to buyer's invoice and will reflect a charge for labor, materials, insurance, transportation, as well as actual shipper fees.

Follow Us

Auctions

Specialties

Potter & Potter

Contents and design copyright © Potter & Potter Auctions.