Potter & Potter Auctions
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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.
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Lot 239

Group of Fifteen Novelty Souvenir Photographs with Painted Backdrops. 1940s-1960s.

Estimate: $150 - $350
Starting Bid
$80

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 Fifteen Novelty Souvenir Photographs with Painted Backdrops. 1940s-1960s. Silver print photographs(15) depicting couples posed before illustrated and cutout-style backdrops, including humorous, romantic, and mildly risqué scenes (bathing, honeymoon, and cartoon tableaux). A portion of the group with “Santa Cruz or Bust” captions, others uncaptioned but of similar style and likely from comparable amusement or boardwalk studio settings. Largest approximately 3 x 5". 

Condition

General wear, some curling, edge wear, and light soiling; occasional creases.

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