Monthly Archives: July 2019

a head for photography

Posted on July 11, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar sent me this image of a diver using a Leica with the special release accessory operated by teeth. This is photo number 17 in the series, “Weird, Wonderful Photos from Another Era” shown in an article by … Continue reading →

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the next generation?

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Trekkies everywhere will recognize this famous inter-galactic spaceship. When the art of photography was announced in January, 1839, it too was revolutionary: Two different processes were announced – one in France; one in England. Both were monochromatic,  dead slow, … Continue reading →

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lookin’ for Llewellyn

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. On June 17th, Kay McGinnis wrote me searching for information on Llewellyn Abbott, or more precisely our articles on his photo studio employers in the big smoke. I sent Kay copies as asked and sent her request on to … Continue reading →

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movies, colour slides, and loose change

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Robert

Toronto.  After about two decades of scrimping, the average person finally had some money for discretionary spending. Marketeers leaped on this largess and pummelled the common man with ideas for things he did not need. In the case of photography, … Continue reading →

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where the girls are

Posted on July 7, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. We have fought for many kinds of equality over the years. One kind is gender equality. Before retiring almost 30 years ago, I watched Bell struggle to improve gender equality. Recently, our federal government bravely formed a senior group … Continue reading →

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“I see”, said the blind man …

Posted on July 6, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. — as he picked up his hammer and saw … This old bromide was around when I was a kid. The photograph at left was taken by P (Philip) H Figary, 590 Yonge St, Toronto (west side of Yonge, a … Continue reading →

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the boys of summer

Posted on July 5, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Don Henley was a singer and percussionist for The Eagles before that dysfunctional group imploded. Most of the group went on to play solo – some with their own bands. Henley made a CD called “Building the Perfect Beast”. … Continue reading →

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Al Who’s little Italian Buddy

Posted on July 4, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. The company “San Giorgio” (St George in English) was founded in Genova, Italy in 1905 to manufacture automobiles. Like many companies, products changed to those with more potential for profit. San Giorgio S.I.p.A. dropped automobiles and moved on to … Continue reading →

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have you seen Al Who?

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Leitz was determined to see the tiny Leica camera succeed as a “do anything bigger cameras can do” camera. For copy work, a focussing stage was offered. The stage swapped the Leica with a ground glass viewer for focussing. … Continue reading →

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New York in 1914 with the prototype Leica camera

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. On the eve of the Great War, the son and namesake of Ernst Leitz, Ernst Leitz II, arrived  in the Big Apple with the novel tiny ur-Leica created by Oskar Barnack. Leitz took a number of street scenes with … Continue reading →

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