May 3, 2026 Spring Auction

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Robert

Our Spring (Estates) Auction poster – May 3rd 2026

Toronto.  Our  Spring  Auction is on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 in Long Branch (south west Toronto) at the usual venue  – free parking [OVERFLOW AT GO TRAIN LOT JUST WEST of HALL] and free admission.

This is an Estates auction featuring goodies for both film and digital folk – photographs, cameras, lenses, accessories, books, and more. Come out and enjoy this event. Click on the AUCTION tab here or in the menu bar above for directions.

Everybody is welcome. There are many  great items, some rare these days. and just in time for you to augment your collection or user gear!

Click the icon below, then the Zeiss Hasselblad lens (lot 1) and then any item to enlarge the lot photos.  Please note the lots are in reverse order so the new additions are shown first.   L, R keys step from lot photo to lot photo.

Our May 3rd, 2026 Estates Auction

 

LOT SLIDE SHOW: We owe Clint, Patrick, Lilianne and Jeri’s son Jeff a big thank you for photographing these lots, naming all lots by lot number and tagging them. The first four batches of photos (99) are now on site. The photos in the slide show are in lot order (there may be some variation in the sequence of the thumbnails). Remember, these photos represent most of the lots to be auctioned on Sunday May 3rd.

During the auction, the sequence of lots  is the auctioneer’s choice and will vary from the numerical sequence shown.  The photographing alone is a huge undertaking on behalf of the PHSC. This auction is a thrilling event with its wide variety of lots – something for everyone!

LOT LIST: Patrick has created a spreadsheet identifying the lots. This is the current version in pdf format.

LOT PHOTOS: The slide show of photos will be updated as photos are received.

Remember, your left/right arrows will work to move from one enlarged photo to another. The orange/red tags (or black typed numbers or hand written notations) show the lot number – Enjoy!

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… the cruelest month …

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Robert

PHSC President Clint Hryhorijiw

Toronto. … as T. S. Eliot said so poetically about April. On Wednesday, April 1st we held Executive Meeting #67 by ZOOM.

Treasurer, John Morden, sent out his report  prior to the meeting.  While the results were  discussed,  changes were unnecessary.

Financial Controller, Jeri Danyleyko noted things are progressing on the GIC front and proceeding as  planned.

Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider was absent due to a personal matter. It was agreed that new members should receive a confirmation letter like Wayne Gilbert drafted and issued before. Webmaster Carter to investigate including the 40 years of journal etc. back issues online in a password protected file for members to access thus eliminating any need to mail a DVD or thumb drive to members.

Note: For those choosing to buy or renew a membership, 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. 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.

PHSC OC3 contact, John Allman, noted events coming up. This site will post the coming event “Beyond The Frame“. Our Social Media editor will also be advised.

Clint is currently searching for a new programs director. A short green light session came up with many suggestions to fill out 2026.

Newsletter editor Patrick Gunn plans to have the PHSC News for April out this month (soft target is April 8 but depends on some outstanding articles). The previous issue (March 2026) has been issued and covers January and February.

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 success of the first auction in 2026 prompted a second (spring) auction set for  May 3, 2026. This will also be an estate auction. Mid April a group of PHSC volunteers will visit one estate to tag and photograph the lots. Photos will be sent directly to me (amongst others) for posting on the website.

Journal editors, David and Louise, have completed and released Photographic Canadiana 51-3 taking advantage of the pdf format to significantly increase the number of photos and pages in this issue.

Social media editor, Ms Markovic was unable to attend this meeting, but provided a written report for instagram showing positive growth in interest once again. Well done Mina!

I distributed the monthly web report by email on the meeting day to be able to capture all of the data for March. I managed to continue posting daily since we  began using WordPress as a basis for the website.

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shrewd marketing …

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Robert

a Leitz branded Swiss Army Knife

Toronto. Some high end camera manufacturers came up with a shrewd means to gain exposure. The firms marketed various items associated with their name or marque.

For example, Leitz offered items like the Swiss army knife at left branded with their name, Or for those with deeper pockets, replica cameras like the UR-Leica. Or they sold glass/crystal versions of their cameras if the shapes were definitive such as the “glassy Hassy” crystal Hasselblad.

While we can’t say that you will find such special treats amongst the items at our 2026 events, you will find exciting things to expand your collection/user gear.

Coming up fast is our May 3rd (Estate) Spring Auction and May 24th Spring Fair. Details and a poster will be pinned to the top of this site as we near the date.

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the tale of a long lens …

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Robert

a true long focal length 135mm lens for a specific c1930/1 Leica.

Toronto. On a chilly February 15 night in 1983, I attended the PHSC monthly meeting as I usually did each month. A young man (Leon) approached me offering a 135mm Elmar that was once his father’s.  I declined the offer since it was not of interest to me at the time.  As we closed for the night, Leon approached me once again. Seemingly he had no luck selling the old lens. He offered it to me again, this time for a serious discount. I relented and bought the lens.

At home that night I recorded the purchase, noting the old lens had neither a visible serial number nor a traditional lens ring, just threads inside the lens tube and a skinny ring holding in the elements. On further investigation, I realized the lens was manufactured  c1930/1.

In 1930 Leitz revised the tiny Leica to make it an interchangeable lens camera. For the first months the lens mount to film plane was a slightly variable distance. Any interchangeable lens had to be purchase with the camera and was engraved (scratched) inside with all or part of the associated camera serial number. Scratched on the inside of this lens head is “134” and on the focussing mount “A 134”.

For a brief period, Leitz manufactured Leicas with non-standard lens mounts. I never met Leon again, nor did I ever find the associated Leica. Once the film to lens mount distance was standardized, a small “o” was engraved at 12 0’clock on the outside of the lens mount signifying any fully serial numbered lens could be safely used.

The 13.5 cm Elmar lens head was initially offered from 1920 for larger cameras and has a field of view much greater than necessary for any 35mm camera. The lens was seemingly intended as a normal lens for field cameras (9×12 cm field of view according to one collector’s guide).

Our 2026 events may turn up this type of lens or another interesting item for your collection. Coming up next are two traditional events – our May 3rd, 2026 auction, and our May 24th, 2026 (spring) fair. As we get closer to the dates, a poster and details will be pinned to the top of this site.

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spring is in the air …

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Robert

a Sigma Zoom from the spring auction six years ago

Toronto. … and our spring auction is coming up fast. At left is an item from our spring auction six years ago in 2020. The Sigma Zoom 120mm – 400mm is an example of what you may find this year.

As the date approaches photographs of many lots will be posted here along with directions and other information.

Come out to our May 3rd auction and see what you can add to your collection – or user gear (note – the Sigma lens is from our auction six years ago).

This is one of our 2026 events. As each event date comes  closer a poster of the event will be pinned to the top page of this site.

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beyond the frame

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Robert

Beyond the Frame – a full day of O3C presentations on May 2nd, 2026

Toronto. While we are primarily a photographic  collectors club, many of our members also take photographs. In its earlier days, the PHSC sponsored an annual photographic contest for its members with winning photos featured in our journal. The skills of those who participated varied – we can all learn more.

As a photographic society, we share interest with similar organizations. One such group, the Ontario Council of Camera Clubs, or O3C, focus on taking photos rather than collecting them and the associated equipment, giving our members an opportunity freshen their ‘taking’ rather than ‘collecting’ skills.

Our friends at the O3C are hosting a special event this year on May 2nd (Saturday). The event is called “Beyond the Frame“, and features talks including:

  • Architectural Photography Learn to photograph buildings and structures with impact. From perspective control to dramatic angles, this session will elevate your architectural work.
  • Smartphone Photography The best camera is the one you have with you. Unlock the creative potential of your smartphone with composition tips, mobile editing techniques, and more.
  • Street Photography Capture authentic moments of everyday life with confidence. Learn how to anticipate action, work with natural light, and tell compelling visual stories.
  • Geometric Photography Discover the power of shape, symmetry, pattern, and form. Explore how lines and repetition can transform ordinary scenes into striking compositions.

Those of you who take photos can always learn more about our art. The O3C suggest that you “grow your photographic skills for just $50 per person for the Full Package“. Space is limited so enrol today and grow your skills “Beyond the Frame“! Please note: Registration is now closed, but you might be able to get on a waiting list.

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it’s light and sharp, said Bill …

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Robert

SOM Berthiot Paris Angular f/3.3 28mm lens c1950

Toronto … as he showed me the Angular f/3.3 28mm screw mount Leica lens by Berthiot of Paris. We were at the March 19th, 1986 PHSC meeting.

The little lens in a brass, aluminum coated mount, went on trips to Europe and Japan with Bill. It is the fastest screw mount 28mm lens in my collection.

Like the 5cm Elmar, the aperture setting is around the front element, but in this case with suitable sized knobs on the rim of the focussing mount.

With a screw mount to bayonet ring, the little lens was equally at home on my M4, but never replaced my oversized f/2.8 28mm Elmarit designed by Dr Mandler in Midland, Ontario.

Our 2026 events are beginning to fill in. Next up are two events next month: an auction on May 3rd and a fair on May 24th. These and the coming PHSC events will give you ample opportunity to add to your collection – not necessarily a Berthiot lens, but many interesting items nevertheless.

As the date draws closer, details and a poster will be pinned to the top of this site. In the case of the auction, we hope to add a slide show of lot photos as we have for past auctions.

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taking a shine to things

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Robert

lot 47 tintype from Capitol Gallery online auction ending April 8, 2026 at 10 pm (or so)

Toronto. Image collectors have a wide range of sources available for unusual old images. At left is what seems to be a tintype of a youngster polishing shoes.

The image is tagged as lot 47 in the Capitol Gallery‘s Spring Auction (West Virginia), which ends around 10 pm on April 8th. Online bids are accepted.

This is a chance for collectors to look over the offerings and add to their collection. To see the catalogue, click here and then click the choice of image type. Each listing shows a photo of the image, its lot number, and its estimated value (and the latest bid).

Once again, a sister organization (The Daguerrian Society) announced the Capitol Gallery auction.

Those uneasy about cross border events can do well to visit our 2026 events here in the big smoke. A couple of up and coming events are Spring Auction on May 3rd and the Spring Fair on May 24th. As the dates approach, we will pin a poster and details to the top of this site.

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by popular demand …

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Robert

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cut ups

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Robert

a small cut film holder – photo taken with an iPhone 16 camera

Toronto. Camera collectors sometimes collect various odds and ends related to cameras such as plate and film holders.

When film evolved late in the 1800s, for a time film rolls and film holders overlapped. Using a thicker base, cut (sheet) film became available with camera holders to replace the glass holder style cameras. Cut film was notched along one edge for easy recognition and placement in the dark. Film packs gave the cut film some of the benefits of roll film but required a special holder.

These special accessories may be found at our 2026 events. We have two coming up next month: The May 3rd auction and the May 24th fair. As we get closer to the dates, a poster and details will be pinned to this site. In the case of the auction, we plan to post the photos and listing of most lots as well.

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