Author Archives: Robert

a closer view

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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the itsy bitsy spider …

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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the better to see …

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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oh! to be in Paris …

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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The Kinetoscope Castle

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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being frank

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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pottering about … again

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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pottering about …

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Robert

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 … Continue reading →

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it’s here … it’s here …

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … our first 2026 event, that is. The February 15th auction kicks off the events for this year. The auction starts around 1:30 this afternoon with an hour of viewing the lots on offer. The slightly flexible timing will … Continue reading →

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