Philip Haas photographer -

In 1856, a photographer captured a man whose identity was forgotten; after selling in 2025 as an unknown sitter, the portrait was traced to New York’s first licensed Black lawyer and sold for $230,400

Vashon was known for his contributions to law, education and civil rights in US. (Photo:Sotheby’s) A photograph that sold for just $882 at a New York auction last year has…