February 4, 2026 Executive Meeting #66 by ZOOM

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Robert

PHSC President Clint Hryhorijiw

Toronto. … Here we are once again in February.

This, our 66th executive meeting by ZOOM, was held on Wednesday evening, February 4th. All except our Social Media editor were able to attend.

Our treasurer, John Morden, sent out his report  prior to the meeting.  While there was a brief discussion, no changes were necessary.

Financial Controller, Jeri Danyleyko noted once again all is quiet on the GIC front other than an additional GIC purchase is planned.

Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider noted we have five new members this month. Lilianne is also one of the helpers in preparation for each auction.

Note: For those choosing to buy or renew a membership, please remember our journal is now  in ‘pdf format’ only, so an email address is essential. A MailChimp notification is sent to all member emails when each journal pdf is produced and uploaded.

If you are a member but HAVE NOT seen any notification for Photographic Canadiana since you registered or renewed, please email us at member@phsc.ca.

The ever patient PHSC OC3 contact, John Allman, noted an insurance round table will be held on February 7th. Our treasurer has been invited. John sees that each PHSC event is included in the OC3 newsletter.

Our programs director, Celio Barreto, will be taking some time off from his program duties this year. Celio has been working very hard on programs as well as co-ordinating most of these ZOOM meetings and experimenting with innovative ways for the society to use ZOOM and other technical tools.

Newsletter editor Patrick Gunn sent in a report. He plans to combine issues 26-1 and 26-2 as this seems to be a quiet time for newsletter content.

The spring fair is confirmed for May 24, 2026 (Victoria Day long weekend is the week earlier). Clint will continue investigating the viability of an expanded image show (Image and Books) at the auction venue.

The first auction of the year was moved to February 15th due to the heavy snowfall that hit Toronto on January 25th seriously impacting movement around the city. Consideration is being given to holding a second auction around May 3, 2026.

Journal editors, David and Louise, are considering a revised journal schedule and content. They will report their recommendations next month at the executive meeting.

Social media editor, Ms Markovic was unable to attend this meeting. She provided a written report for instagram once more showing positive growth month/month). She will encourage article input from TMU students for instagram and eventually our newsletter and journal.

Ms Markovic attended the TMU photo books awards on behalf of the PHSC and took photographs which she shared.

As usual, I distributed a monthly web report by email. Daily posts have been made since I  began using WordPress as a basis for the PHSC website. The technical support and up time shown by our host (A2 Hosting) in Michigan has been excellent.

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a closer view

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Robert

a Leitz NOOKY-HESUM with the original red box c1935. Engraved with “SUMMAR” and “HEKTOR” 5cm lenses, but without the ratio scale added later.

Toronto. When supplementary lenses, extension tubes, and ‘spider legs’ proved successful in the early 1930s, Leitz came up with more ways to allow the tiny Leica to operate closer to the subject. One idea was to use a variable depth (focusable) extension tube with corrections to the viewfinder and rangefinder.

In the mid 1930s, the NOOKY was announced for the ELMAR and the NOOKY-HESUM (shown at left) for the 5cm SUMMAR or 5cm Hektor (the SUMMITAR was a later addition). When the M-series arrived a bayonet mount version called a SOOKY was added.

These little accessories allowed hand held shots using the camera’s viewfinder and rangefinder for framing and focussing. The colour photo at top left was taken with my iPhone 16 digital camera under an LED desk light bulb.

You may find Leitz versions of these neat gadgets at our May 24th fair, or other neat finds, to expand your collection of old camera accessories. As we approach the fair date (early April), a poster and directions will be pinned to the top of this site.

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the itsy bitsy spider …

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Robert

a four legged BEHOO close-up device used with the shown extension tubes.

Toronto. … climbed up the water spout. In the mid 1920s, Leitz made the tiny Leica to help retain its well trained mechanics in the face of post war hyper-inflation. The camera was an overwhelming success. In fact it was the first minicam to be a commercial success.

Leitz worked to add accessories to the little utilitarian camera, expanding its versatility. In the case of close-ups, in the 1930s, various ‘Auxiliary Setting Devices’ came to market featuring extension tubes to correctly extend the lens, a special ring to fit on the front of the lens and four extendable legs that set the distance and framed the area in the camera’s field.

The gadgets, affectionately known as spider legs could copy documents, book pages, and any other flattish items in close-up. With care, one leg could be removed to avoid any shadow.

Shown at top left is the BEHOO accessory (1935-1959) which was an improvement on similar earlier devices. Its special ring was intended for use with the 5cm ELMAR and SUMMAR lenses.

Post digital, such devices became unnecessary as the view is on screen, in full colour, and the sensors fast enough for hand-held exposures. My smart phone (which copied the above photo) boasts 48 mp and 12 mp cameras with instant viewing of any shot. Blurry or out of focus images can be retaken immediately.

Visit our spring fair this May 24th. You may spot one of these wonderful old accessories (or a cousin), made by Leitz or another maker and just waiting for your collection.

Note: The post title is from an old nursery rhyme we once sang to our children.

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the better to see …

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Robert

Leitz close-up magnifiers. from left:
chrome 5x LVFOO, 30x LWHOO, 5x chrome LGCOO and black 5x LVFOO, all with vision correction

Toronto. … you with, said the wolf to Little Red Riding Hood. In the last century, Leitz made close-up devices for the Leica. Both various focussing slide gadgets and mirror boxes used common five power magnifiers code named LGCOO (on top of box at left) and LVFOO (on either side of box at left), plus stronger magnifiers like the squat 30x LWHOO.

The subject could be viewed through an Elmar or other lens with the magnifier before the camera was moved into position (or a mirror flipped up) to capture the close-up scene on film.

These magnifiers continued into the early M-series line of Leicas until the focussing slide was phased out and a newer mirror box (Visoflex II) came to market using a different shaped magnifier.

The LVFOO lingered on briefly as a negative and slide inspector, but the asking price was too steep compared to 8x acrylic magnifiers.

The need for special accessories for close-ups changed with faster film, close-up capable lenses, and finally the digital revolution, when almost any camera could reliably snap close-up images on its own.

At our fairs, like the one this May, both Leitz and other makes of various film camera based close up gadgets are often offered.

NB. The above post title is familiar to all who read fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm as a child.

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oh! to be in Paris …

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Robert

Rue Cardinale in 1910 – by Eugène Atget – 2001 exhibit at the AGO

Toronto. The city of light is featured in issue 26-5 in an article by Günter Ott on the AGO exhibit of works by the Parisian photographer Eugène Atget.

While the show described took place about a quarter century ago, it may well be featured once again. Regardless, collectors of old photos should look carefully at Atget’s work before choosing photos by others to add to their collection.

Mr Ott’s story begins with this précis. “For nearly 30 years, Eugène Atget (1857 – 1927) worked diligently at his life’s work, a precise photographic record of le vieux Paris as it entered the modern era.

“That amazing body of work is the subject of a terrific show currently at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. Paris Itineraries: The Photographs of Eugene Atget, (sponsored by Château des Charmes Wines) runs from February 28 – May 27, 2001.

“It comprises 180 albumen silver prints taken largely from the collection of the Musée Carnavalet, Paris, and produced by the Association Paris-Musées.”

You can read all the following article by Mr Ott in the issue 26-5 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See ‘Membership’ above or at right for ways to join this exciting group of like minded photo collectors, camera collectors, and photo historians. You can address any questions to member@phsc.ca.

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AI-I-I-i-i-i-i-i

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Robert

American West landscape by Dr Robert Adams – courtesy of NPR.ORG

Toronto.  President Clint Hryhorijiw recently sent an intriguing email to various members and helpers at the PHSC and MiPHS. It was a brief article about Dr Robert Adams and how his lessons are an antidote to the current fascination with artificial intelligence (AI).

Ironically, the article appears on the perplexity.ai website. This site  requests that you sign in (free) to view its articles.

Dr Adams wrote a profusion of articles and books as well as doing landscape photography in the American west.

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The Kinetoscope Castle

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Robert

before hi-fi …

Toronto. Editor Bob Lansdale in this article writes about visiting the town of Fowlerville, a few miles northwest of Detroit with some MiPHS members.

The house he visited has a huge collection of kinetoscopes – and antique audio equipment as shown at left.

The premises are occupied by Ken Stokes, John  Johnson and Teddy the cockapoo. Shown at left is the living room [c 2000/2001] filled with audio equipment of the Victorian and Edwardian ages.

Bob begins his article, “Being close to the international border makes it convenient to participate in the activities of one of our American counterparts. Such was the case when I accompanied members of the Michigan Photographic Historical Society [MiPHS] on a Saturday sojourn to the home of John Johnson and Ken Stokes in Fowlerville, some 60 miles north-west of Detroit.

“The setting has a small town atmosphere with a sedate bungalow style home of white clap-board that belies what awaits inside. The tour was so impressive I had to return a second time to record the exhibits on film…

“After a short introduction everyone was invited inside to see ‘the collection’. It seemed slow for the gathering to file inside as if the first to enter were hard pressed to choose their way or move on to some other choice exhibit. But once I, too, was past the threshold I realized we were entering a museum … crossing a time warp to the early 1900’s.

“In all directions, in every nook, covering every wall and shelf were hundreds of examples of old gramophones with their big horns, and movie projectors with their golden brass sprockets and gears. This collection had, in fact, taken over the house, taken over a double garage, taken over the loft, and, as I found out, taken over several other storage facilities.

“Narrow paths wind through the rooms making it hard to move past anyone taking time for a close inspection of some prize item. One visitor described it as ‘being lost inside a Christmas tree.’

“The displays are the result of merging two collections. Ken Stokes focuses on musical machines and has accumulated 40 thousand records, primarily 78’s with a zest for jazz of the 1920’s and 30’s. Juke Boxes, player pianos and nickelodeons fill the air at the drop of a coin, –the pride is to restore the items to working condition.

“Any memorabilia that goes with the theme is of interest; doilies, lamps, Mazda lamp bulbs and trinkets consume all space atop the time-piece furniture.

“John Johnson points to his grandparents for perking his interest in old things. They possessed intriguing battery-operated radios that worked with vacuum tubes; his great grandfather’s brother owned a Regina music box-phonograph combination.

“John eventually found a Regina Corona which operates with 27 inch punched discs. John’s main interest is in movie projection equipment which harkens back to 1935 when he showed movies to neighbourhood kids with a handcranked projector in a garage.

After the Second World War John bought up a bunch of old movie equipment from a dealer who was going out of business. In April 1952 he entered a new phase of his life when he refurbished an old theatre in Caspian, Upper Michigan, fixed up a couple projectors and started a movie house, running 1st and 2nd run films.

“Success encouraged him to install bigger equipment – even venturing to show the first 3-D movie. At the same time John continued with his daytime job as an electrician.” …

Bob continues his story. Members read the tale and viewed the many photos in the issue 26-5 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. If you aren’t yet a member, see the ways to join (it’s inexpensive) under ‘Membership’ above and at right. Direct membership questions to member@phsc.ca.

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being frank

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Robert

cover shot c1890 by Frank Micklethwaite – Toronto Archives

Toronto. The cover shot for issue 26-5 is shown at left. The original was taken by Frank Micklethwaite around 1890 when the area was the business district of Toronto. For the cover shot this time, editor Lansdale devotes a full page discussion repeating the image and adding two very recent [spring 2002] ones (George Dunbar and Mike Robinson) with one taken using the very first commercial technique [Daguerreotype] with modern chemistry (the shot by Dr Robinson).

Bob begins his lengthier article on the cover shot like this: “The cross-roads at Toronto’s Front, Wellington and Church streets have seen dramatic changes over the years, but one thing that seems constant is the Flat Iron building which has been a delight to photographers for a century.

“The bottom photo is the earliest and was taken by Frank Micklethwaite ca. 1890 to capture the street action of the wholesale stores and warehouses of the area. A carter hawls his heavy crate along the dirt road, passing the horse drawn street-cars.

“Our attention is drawn to the three story brick building in the centre, known at that time as The Coffin Block since it was likened to the end of a coffin. Originally a portion of the building served as the booking office and terminus for the stage lines that connected Toronto with cities and towns to the east and the west.

“It was the hub of downtown Toronto. Adequate train connections changed that and the Dominion Telegraph Company assumed occupancy for many years. It was the perfect location to serve the business district.” …

Members read all of Bob’s article and viewed the accompanying photos in the issue 26-5 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/memory stick. Not a member? Joining is a snap – look above and at right under ‘Membership’ to see the ways to join. Questions? Send them to member@phsc.ca.

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pottering about … again

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Robert

Typical glass slides sold by Chas Potter – Robert Wilson collection

Toronto. In issue 26-5 we learnt about the ‘Potter Lantern’ in Bill Belier’s column. In the same issue, the late Dr Wilson expanded on Charles Potter and his Toronto establishment in his article, “Charles Potter: Toronto Optician and Mathematical Instrument Maker”.

Bob begins his article with this précis: “For nearly 120 years, the firm of Charles Potter, Optician, provided optical and mathematical instruments for the citizens of Toronto, including such things as stereoscopes, camera lenses, lantern projectors and lantern slides among many other optical devices.”

Bob then continues with his article proper, “Charles Potter was first listed in Toronto as a partner in the firm of Hearn and Potter. This company originated in 1853 when the partners bought the watchmaking and jewellery business from George Savage (who had been in Toronto since before 1837).

“Hearn and Potter soon added optical devices and mathematical instruments to the products offered, as well as continuing in the watch and jewellery business. Among the many optical instruments that they sold were ‘Lenzes’ and Stereoscopes.

“The other partner in Hearn and Potter was William Hearn. The firm of Hearn and Potter lasted for four years, and was finally dissolved on 28 August 1857. William Hearn continued the business of this partnership. By June 1859, William Hearn had been replaced by Charles Hearn, likely his son, and by June 1861, Charles Hearn had moved to Montreal.

“The story of the optical firms that evolved in Montreal from this company was told in Photographic Canadiana, Vol 25, No 1, May/June 1999, pages 18 and 19.

“Charles Potter was born in London, England about 1831 of Charles and Mary Potter. He served a regular apprenticeship in England before coming to Canada.

“After the breakup of Hearn and Potter, Charles Potter was not listed in the Toronto directories for several years. During this time he met Elizabeth Carruthers of Pether Hill, near Weston, and married her on 10 May 1860. They settled in Toronto in a three-storey brick house at 115 Adelaide Street West.” …

Members were able to read all of the article and enjoy the photos in the pdf file for issue 26-5 on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See ‘membership’ at top and at right to join. Address any questions to member@phsc.ca.

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pottering about …

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Robert

an old Potter badged glass plate projector

Toronto. Issue 26-5 introduces us to a Toronto company selling various scientific instruments such as the Potter Lantern shown at left and described by Bill Belier and Bob Wilson in Bill’s “A Treasure From Two Collections…” column.

Bill begins, “About twenty years ago [1980] I received a call from an old gentleman living in a rural area just east of Toronto that lead to my acquisition of the Potter Lantern, pictured here. Somehow he knew my telephone number, supplied by a ‘friend of a friend’…

“He could not quite remember the sequence, but he had been told that I would buy old cameras. Well, he had just such a camera… ‘with a big brass lens’ that he had discovered in his attic.

“It apparently was left behind by the former owner of a house he purchased soon after WW II. Was I interested?… Yes I was, and without further questioning, drove over to see the camera the following day.

“Name plate on [the] lens of Bob Wilson’s Victor projector reads: Sold By Charles Potter, 85 Yonge St. Toronto. (1901-1914)

“What a disappointment awaited me… the ‘big brass lens’ was attached to an ugly old lantern slide projector that did nothing to increase my heart beat… I had expected at least a wet-plate [camera]!

“My host was visibly disappointed by my lack of enthusiasm after I had explained that a projector was not actually a camera. But because of the strange name plate, with the Toronto reference, I decided to purchase the projector anyway. Not being in any particular hurry to find out more, I consigned it to my storage loft where it remained until I casually mentioned it to Bob Wilson recently [March 2001].

“His 1989 article about a projector in his collection, the Victor Portable Stereopticon also had a connection to Charles Potter (see P.C. Vol. 15 No 3 1989).”

Members read all of Bill’s column in the pdf file for issue 26-5 on the free member’s only DVD/memory stick. To join, just see ‘membership’ above and at right. Questions? Drop an email to member@phsc.ca.

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