Author Archives: Robert

say trees …

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … said the sleepy photographer. And speaking of trees, people are flocking to High Park here in the big smoke to see the annual Japanese Cherry Blossoms that peak in early May. The trees are a gift from Japan … Continue reading →

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not the indie 500 …

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. …but another 500 – lots that is. Of images from the ‘vernacular’. Mike Lehr announces his “May Vernacular Photo History Auction” starts at 11 am today. Shown at left is lot 112, “Stereoview Chemist Percy Julian Laboratory Portrait.  The … Continue reading →

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a fair arising

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. For information or a table contact Mark or Clint at fair@phsc.ca.

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two to go

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. An interesting category for image collectors is weddings and their celebrations. The example at left took place on Vancouver Island over a century ago near Sooke, BC. People from Ontario and immigrants from England as well as BC folk … Continue reading →

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long ago and far away

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The lot 133 Cooke lens may have been made long ago and far away, but it is offered today as a lot in the PHSC May 3rd Spring Auction. The lens is a 16 inch ‘Process’ lens, series V. … Continue reading →

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committing Hari-Arri

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Lot 237, in our spring auction tomorrow, is a turret style, three lens Arriflex camera and two film magazines Arri is one of the prestigious high end movie camera makers. The cameras are manufactured to robust specifications to withstand … Continue reading →

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hey! … digitari

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The digital era is now decades old, making the collection of digital cameras attractive. In the future, film cameras will be a rarity. Those who collect digital cameras today will pay relatively little for them compared to their future … Continue reading →

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mighty mouse

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. I was a scrawny kid, about 90 pounds soaking wet. The summer I worked for Loblaw Grocers, I earned the nick-name ‘mighty mouse’ after a 100 pound bag of sugar was hoisted on my back and I lugged it … Continue reading →

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mini projector for mini slides

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The tiny Minox is the ultimate spy camera. It was created in 1937, just before WW2, in Riga, Latvia. The chain on the tiny camera has ‘buttons’ for inches matching the lens focus settings for up close exposures. The … Continue reading →

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different speeds; different focal lengths; same name

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The Zeiss lens configuration called “Tessar” has gone down in history like the famous Elmar 5cm f/3.5 lens from Leitz. Lot 121 in our May 3rd spring Estate auction is a very recent Tessar complete with a leather case. … Continue reading →

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