Absentee bids let you place your maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. During the live show, we’ll continue bidding on your behalf up to your max bid — just like leaving a bid with a traditional auctioneer.
When you place an absentee bid, you’ll choose a bid strategy. Your chosen strategy determines how the current bid will be set at the time your bid is placed. Your maximum bid always remains confidential.
The available strategies are:
🐢 Slow & Steady — starts your bid low and lets others chase you.
⚡💥 Power Bid — starts at about half your max to show intent without revealing your top number.
♥️♠️ All In ♦️♣️ — sets the current bid to your full bid amount right away.
The current bid shown on each lot reflects all confirmed absentee bids and updates automatically as new bids come in.
When the live auction starts, bidding will begin at the current bid. The auctioneer will continue bidding on behalf of absentee bidders up to their max bids.
Because absentee bids can arrive seconds apart, the current bid you see may not always include bids still being processed. Refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.
For our full absentee bid policy, please click here.
Bidding Quick Facts
How bidding works
All items have a minimum bid of $1.00.
When "No Bids" is displayed, it means no absentee bids have been placed on this item yet.
Once bids are placed, the current bid will be displayed instead.
For more information on the bidding process, please click here.
Bid Successfully Submitted!
Your absentee bid for Lot 163 - Antique Boarded Interior Photograph Of Girl Identified As Ella In “Music Room” With Toy Cat, Dated April 30, 1893 was successfully submitted—thank you for bidding with us!
The current bid displayed will not update immediately. You will receive a confirmation email shortly.
You may continue to place additional bids.
For our full absentee bid policy, please review the Auction Rules.
Confirm Bid
Lot 163 - Antique Boarded Interior Photograph Of Girl Identified As Ella In “Music Room” With Toy Cat, Dated April 30, 1893
Antique board-mounted interior photograph depicting a young girl identified as Ella, seated in a music room and posed with a cat identified in the image as a toy rather than a live animal. The verso is inscribed “music room,” along with the address 314 Howard Avenue, and dated Sunday, April 30, 1893. The address may be in New Haven, Connecticut, though listings for that home state is was build in 1900.
The interior setting is richly detailed and includes framed paintings and a print on the walls, a wall clock, a fireplace mantel displaying a piano baby figure, and a large upright piano. The photograph documents a furnished domestic music room interior with period decorative and musical elements.
Condition includes light overall toning, surface wear, and edge and corner wear to the board mount consistent with age and handling. Handwritten identification and date on the verso remain legible.