I can hear it coming …

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … our spring auction (May 4th), of course. See the poster below for times and place. Email Clint at auction@phsc.ca with your questions (poster is jpeg and as such sans links).

poster for the May 4, 2025 PHSC Spring Auction

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blink of an eye

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Robert

a c1895 UNICUM shutter on a POCO camera. Included is a Rapid Rectilinear lens.

Toronto. Up until dry plates became common, camera shutters were simply unnecessary. Timing could be easily set by holding something like a dark hat over the lens then briefly removing and replacing it.

Once dry plates and later film became established, sub-second exposures in bright light became common and shutters began to appear on cameras. A typical shutter is the UNICUM shown at left. The shutter usually surrounded a lens like the Rapid Rectilinear shown here.

This shutter was provided on a c1895 POCO glass plate camera (sans the name button). Other versions of the UNICUM are engraved as ‘Bausch & Lomb’ around the speed setting dial. UNICUM shutters appeared from a decade or two before 1900 to a couple of decades after. The Bausch & Lomb engraving showed up shortly before the year 1900 as far as I can tell. The linked page in line one above includes a Rochester Camera & Supply Co. catalogue (POCO link on the linked page. That link is repeated for your convenience).

Visit our PHSC EVENTS (see list at right). Lots of items for your collection will be shown – possibly a POCO camera or a UNICUM shutter!  Next up is our spring auction on May 4th – in about three weeks from now.

 

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let’s hear it for Exec #57 via ZOOM

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Robert

PHSC President
Clint Hryhorijiw

Toronto. We seem to be zooming along electronically these days! Meeting #57 via ZOOM moved along smartly. Below is a screen grab of the executive board in lively discussion.

Treasurer John Morden sent out his report before the meeting with no significant changes at the meeting.

All PHSC EVENTS for this year now have dates and locales (see at right). As event dates approach, a poster such as that for the May 4th auction will be pinned to the top of this website.

Newsletter wise, editor Patrick Gunn  issued 25-3 at month end again with very positive reaction by all. Well done Patrick!

John Allman, our  O3C representation, noted that the travel seminar dinner was sold out but the seminar still has room.

Membership Secretary Lilianne Schneider joined in on the lively discussion on means to distribute the back issues files and it was agreed to move from the 40 volumes of Photographic Canadiana and more on DVD to using a thumb drive instead as of this month. The DVD remains optional on request from members as long as the supply lasts.

Note: Regarding membership (new and renew) our journal is 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.

Remember, if  you have UNSUBSCRIBED to our MailChimp list, you will not receive notification nor Photographic Canadiana nor other info. MailChimp does not permit me to reinstate a specific email address once unsubscribed by the owner. Renewal of such addresses are only possible via a form, not provided on our site.

Also, if you change email addresses, please tell us – MailChimp will tag the old address as CLEANED (they cannot add your new address automatically). If you are a member but HAVE NOT seen any notification for Photographic Canadiana since you registered or renewed, please email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

Celio Barreto is investigating new presentations and presenters. Suggestions are always welcome. Email Celio directly at program@phsc.ca. It was agreed that this and future payments for a ZOOM licence will be directly from the treasurer to ZOOM via PayPal.

Social media editor, Ms Markovic provided a brief update showing an encouraging growth in followers. She welcomes post suggestions and content to help expand our presence.

some executive members discussing a motion before voting

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calling all photographers …

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Robert

a short lived Tom Thumb Camera Radio post WW2

Toronto. A fitting post title for this novel c1948 camera/radio.

Editor Bob Lansdale (who ensures these bright crisp images) writes about his cover shot for issue 23-2, “The Tom Thumb Camera Radio, produced by the Automatic Radio Mfg. Co. of Boston ca. 1948 combines a plastic reflex novelty camera with a 4-tube portable radio–all in a wooden body with grey and red exterior.

“Member S. Chen has shown this gem at Toronto meetings. Radio controls and pop-up viewing hood are on the top while camera lenses, shutter and radio speaker are on the front.

“As seen in the cover photo, the front panel swings down to load 127 film or service the radio.” Bob’s write-up includes help from the McKeown’s Camera Guide available back around the fall of 1997.

Back in the late 40s, all radios used vacuum tubes – and either AC or batteries. Transistors and integrated circuits had not yet been created and marketed. By its very nature, the device was heated by the enclosed tubes – if you wanted music with your photos …

Be sure to visit our 2025 events (under PHSC EVENTS at right). You may not see a Tom Thumb Camera Radio but you will see lots of items, some which just may suit your collection!

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a secret revealed …

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Robert

a means to assist the press if the paper and card separate – use a bit of cotton!

Toronto. A few days ago I did a post on a small press for photographs (issue 23-1). It was accompanied by the following from Robert  Wilson, “During the long period that cartes de visite and cabinet prints were in vogue many variations of the cameo portrait were offered as an elegant form of photographic art.

“The simplest technique required only a printed mat surrounding the central vignetted image in an oval shape or in a rectangle with rounded corners. The effect achieved its true cameo style when the surface of the print was made slightly convex by means of a die and press, causing the central area to bulge forth in low profile.

“With most prints the surface remained firmly attached to its supporting card stock, but others may be found soft and pliable. A recent find has revealed the secret as the print began to peel away from its support. There in the inner pocket was a thin swatch of fibrous cotton, 2 1/2 inches in length, with roughly torn edges and even included the odd cotton seed.”

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steady there, lad

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Robert

a novel adjustable stand allows a good likeness to be taken on the slow media of the day

Toronto. For a large part of photographic history, the media was so abysmally slow a tripod was necessary plus a means to steady subjects. To  this end, Charlie Kruger offered a light, handy support adjustable for a realistic pose.

One was located by Dr Robert Wilson who wrote an article for issue 23-1 back in 1997. The article is in his “Pages from the Past Series” column and begins, “Portrait photographers in the mid nineteenth century needed a headrest in their studio to ensure that the sitter would be able to remain still for the duration of the exposure. Most of these headrests were fairly heavy devises, with a large cast iron base often seen on the floor behind portraits of men; women’s long skirts usually covered any sign of the headrest.

“However, the 15 January 1869 issue of Humphrey’s Journal (Volume XX, No 17, pages 261-263) had a report of this light weight stand patented by Mr Charles E. Kruger:

“It is a fact, perhaps too little known among the public, that as much as photography has of late been benefited by the aid of science, it requires, nevertheless, a great deal more care and practice than one would think off (sic). This we state particularly in regard to the right placing and the securing of the proper position of the person, of whom a photograph is to be taken.

“Not only is the part of the operation generally attended by a great loss of time, but it is also the source of failures which would undoubtedly not occur, if use was made of a proper apparatus, which in being placed behind the person, would allow a suitable hold and support of the different parts of the body, no matter what position they assume.” …

Members are able to read the rest of Bob’s article, and more by opening the issue 23-1 pdf file on the free members only DVD (or as of  this month, thumb drive). To join see MEMBERSHIP above or at right. Questions, Email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

Join us at our 2025 events (listed under PHSC EVENTS at right) and see what you can find for your collection. First up is the May 4th Auction followed by the PHSC Spring fair, trunk sale, and fall events.

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… brand new light …

Posted on April 12, 2025 by Robert

modern image by Henry VanderSpek in current Toronto exhibition “Urban Scrawl”

Toronto. Collecting items and reading history about our favourite past time is a pleasure to us aficionados. A big part of our art uses natural light to make a permanent image from nature. In fact an early book on photography was called “The Pencil of Nature” reflecting the use of light to create what the eye could see.

And our favourite editor, Rita Godlevskis, not only creates both the hard copy and digital versions of PhotoEd magazine, but also this elaborate newsletter (?) about forthcoming issues and more.

Even if your passion is photo history or collecting photographic tools and images, not practicing the art (film or digital), her newsletter will intrigue you – especially in what the art can do today!

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shades of 1997

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Robert

Scenes from 1997 auction by Bob Lansdale

Toronto. In 1997, editor Bob Lansdale took the ‘bull by the horns’ and did his own photography of our events for the journal.

This quartet of photos was featured in issue 23-1 to record the auction held that spring. In the journal, the cut line below the photo names the key people shown and the various items up for bidding or already won.

The related article by editor Lansdale states. “The PHSC Annual Auction proved again to be a success with members as they bid for the wide variety of items offered. Some of the items were donations to the Society from which the monies, gained, will be applied toward bursaries and scholarships.

“A short list of successful bids gives the following: Cambo camera 4×5 – $400; Imagon portrait lens in shutter, 300mm – $410; enlarger 6×7 – $300; Nikon FE – $325; Rolleiflex – $375; Leitz projector – $250; Seneca camera 5×7 – $200; Drymount press 11×14 – $175; Burke & James monorail camera 4×5 – $175; Hansa bellows for 35mm – $175; A box of film holders – $160; Voigtlander Bessamatic/case – $155; K20 Aerial camera – $120.”

Like in 1997, we once again feature our auction (spring auction this time, not annual as in 1997 and open to all comers not only members) – a success for everyone over nearly half a century!

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pressing out from the masses

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Robert

an embosser for prints

Toronto. Once studios took off, savvy owners tried ways to differentiate their services from the pack. One way to accomplish this was to use the “McKee’s Cameo, Embossing and Imprint Press” on photographic prints delivered to customers.

Issue 23-1 of our journal shows the little gem. It was offered in 1900 for $12.00US. The press made “instant embossing or imprinting without injury to the finest burnish or enamel” as the advertisement insisted.

The use of the press to emboss, would raise the face of the photograph and make the subject stand out.

The advertisement suggested that you could, “Hold to your old prices, and get from 50 cents to $2.00 more per dozen for the imprint pictures.” The ad encouraged studios to contact “H.A. Hyatt Photographic Supplies, St Louis, Mo.”. No Canadian supply house or distributor was mentioned.

Our spring events are coming up fast (auction May 4th; fair May 25th). You may fine something to tweak your interest and complement your collection. A poster for each event will be pinned to this site (the auction poster is already up) as received.

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searching for a house

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Robert

Photographic Canadiana issue 23-1 cover shot

Toronto. The cover shot on issue 23-1 features a horse and coach caught by a daguerreotype camera. An article inside titled, “A SEARCH FOR THE ALBION HOUSE” by the late Graham Garrett explains the reason for the cover shot.

Graham’s article begins, “Several years ago I was sent a 35mm slide of a daguerreotype, ca. 1853-54, by Matthew Isenburg of Connecticut, leading me to do some research on the locale of the image. I believe it was taken in Upper Canada and I’m asking [1997] readers for any input they might have on the subject and/or origin.

The double-plate format depicts a stagecoach (see cover) drawn by two gray horses standing on a dirt street with part of a wooden sidewalk noticeable in the background. In addition to a uniformed driver, the stage has the words ‘Albion House’ neatly painted above its door, (probably in gold paint), and the numerals ‘272’.

“One of the buildings in the background is constructed of white clapboard with a sign bearing the words ‘Variety Store’ and a young person exiting the doorway. Another sign discovered on the side of the store is unreadable.

“It should be noted that the word ‘Albion’ (an ancient name for Britain) was used for a variety of goods and services in British North America for almost a century, particularly hotels, houses and inns. The most well-known of these establishments was located in Cobourg, U.C. and was documented in ‘Pioneer Inns and Taverns’, (Tor., 1954-56), by Edwin C. Guillet, (see ill.).

“It should be pointed out that although newspapers carried ads for ‘Albion Hotels’, the word ‘House’ seemed interchangeable in editorials. I have compiled a large amount of data relating to places of accommodation in U.C. using the word Albion and I have listed those few that were in operation close to the above circa date.” …

Mr Garrett’s report of his research continues. Members are able to see all of Graham’s illustrated article in the pdf file for volume 23 (including 23-1 with the article) You can join by following MEMBERSHIP above or Membership at right. Email any questions to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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