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Forgotten Portrait of New York's First Black Lawyer Sells for $230,400
Sentiment: NeutralHigh Priority
What Happened?
A portrait of George Boyer Vashon, New York's first licensed Black lawyer, sold for $230,400 after being identified. The photograph was taken in 1856 and previously sold for $882.
Key points
- The photograph was taken by Philip Haas in 1856.
- It was initially sold for $882 at Christie's in June 2025.
- Sotheby's auctioned the portrait for $230,400 in June 2026.
- The identification was made by photography specialist Emily Bierman.
- The photograph is a sixth-plate daguerreotype with hand-applied coloring.
- George Boyer Vashon was an influential figure in law and civil rights.
Key insights
- The significant increase in the portrait's value reflects growing interest in historical African American figures.
- The identification of Vashon connects the photograph to a pivotal moment in legal history.
- The auction results may encourage further research into overlooked historical artifacts.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the importance of historical figures in American civil rights.
Tags
Entities
George Boyer Vashon· PersonPhilip Haas· PersonSotheby's· OrganizationChristie's· OrganizationNew York· City
Source
Times of India
