North American Auction Company
Timed Auction

Last Chance June 2025 Passed Lots Sale - End June 27th

Mon, Jun 23, 2025 02:00AM EDT - Fri, Jun 27, 2025 03:00PM EDT
Lot 433

Native American Cabinet Card Photos 1920-40s (2)

Estimate: $250 - $500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
For your consideration are two cabinet card photos of American men from the early 1920-40s. The first and smaller photo was take by Fred Rentschler in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the early 1920s. J. Fred Rentschler (1868–1940) was a prominent portrait photographer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, who apprenticed with the photography firm Lewis and Gibson before establishing his own studio in 1890 at the corner of Main and Huron streets. As his business grew, he relocated in 1904 to 319 East Huron Street, constructing a studio with a two-story glass wall to maximize natural light. Rentschler's studio became the go-to place for portraits of mayors, businessmen, service organization officers, ministers, and University of Michigan presidents from James Angell onward. He also photographed leading professors and major sports teams, including the university's football team. In 1926, his son Edwin joined the business, continuing the tradition until 1969. The Rentschler studio remained a cornerstone of Ann Arbor's photographic history for over eight decades, capturing countless images that documented the city's social and academic life. His photo shows a Native American man sitting in his studio getting photographed. He is wearing traditional clothing and a feather headdress as he smokes a large tobacco pipe. The bottom of the photo reads, "Rentschler / Ann Arbor, Mich.". The second and larger photo is hand colored and shows a Native American man looking down towards the camera as his photo is being taken. It is brightly colored and shows a small section near the headdress that is uncolored. The photos show good condition overall with slight wear present from their age and use over the years but no signs of damage noted. The smaller visible photo measures 6 1/4" L x 4 1/2" W, while the entire piece measures 7 7/8" L x 5 7/8" W. The larger photo measures 10" L x 7 7/8" W.*

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