Ambrotype portrait of elderly woman by John Turner of Toronto
Toronto. The Ambrotype at left is one of few cased images with details of the photographer. Bob Lansdale adds this note: “For the story on our cover photograph see page 9 and read the details of discovering a labelled image-case dating to 1860-63. Toronto photographer John Turner left his mark on this family photograph but the question is: Who is the lady? ?”
Collectors of old photos thrive on identifying the process, place, photographer, and subject of their treasures. The earliest portraits, etc, were often cased images – cased for ease of viewing and protection of the delicate image.
We often see these images offered at our events. The 2025 PHSC Events are over now and we will soon announce our 2026 Events (first up is an auction on January 25, 2026 – details to follow). The photo at left and the Toronto photographer who snapped the portrait are dealt with at length in the page 9 article. Members read the article in the issue 26-1 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above/at right to join. Email any membership questions to member@phsc.ca.
