Author Archives: Robert

Winter Photographic History Auction

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Louis Daguerre is famous for releasing the first publicly announced practical process for photography – and for offering it free to all outside the UK. His portrait (shown here) is one of the lots in the upcoming auction of … Continue reading →

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keeping it small …

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Lot 339 in February’s auction (Feb 15th) is a fine example of keeping cameras small, This Balda folds up like a Retina and can be dropped in a pocket. The auction lots include many small 35mm cameras and a … Continue reading →

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field of view

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. In the 1800s professional outdoor photographers were easy to spot: A dark viewing cloth, a wooden tripod and a field camera shouted it out loud! The wooden view camera spanned the wet plate and dry plate eras. Smaller, metal … Continue reading →

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*** AUCTION DATE CHANGE ***

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Robert

HI FOLKS DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER THIS WEEKEND AND THE FORECAST FOR HEAVY SNOW THIS SUNDAY, JAN 25th OUR AUCTION HAS BEENED MOVED TO FEB 15, 2026 AT THE SAME PLACE.  A NEW POSTER WILL GO LIVE TONIGHT THE … Continue reading →

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it isn’t easy being square …

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Most cameras/negatives produce a rectangular image but some do not. Instead, the photographer can expose for the square image, or visualize a landscape or portrait print. One issue with smaller cameras was the ‘squinty’ viewfinder. To solve this issue, … Continue reading →

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you can get any lot you want …

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. At our Feb 15th auction. An example is this package of 4×5 film by polaroid (lot 462).IMPORTANT: OUR Jan 25th AUCTION WAS RESCHEDULED TO FEB 15th DUE TO BAD WEATHER. Cameras and lenses old and newish are featured in … Continue reading →

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for medical apparatus collectors…

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … an electrifying experience! In the last century inventions and innovations exploded. And with no pressure to ‘prove’ any advertised claim, it was a wild west show to make a buck. This led to many odd ball gizmos and … Continue reading →

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flashy stuff

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The idea of flash powder offered a bright light for photography – and facial burns for the unwary. Magnesium Ribbon allowed a controlled amount of “flash powder” to be used giving the bright light while avoiding the accidental burns. … Continue reading →

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know when to fold ’em …

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … as Kenny Rogers once sang. A step up in camera design was the so-called folder popular around 1930-1950. Between uses, the camera could be easily collapsed for the pocket. The focussing bellows collapsed into the camera body along … Continue reading →

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mostly brass and glass

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Robert

Toronto.  In the 1800s brass was often used to manufacture scientific instruments (like microscopes) as it was easy to machine, stable, and inexpensive. A natural follow on was early small brass cameras and  brass mounts for photographic lenses. More commonly … Continue reading →

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