Author Archives: Robert

what on earth is a FLOTEMAR

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The late John Kantymir and his father both collected cameras – some very rare. One camera John came across simply had the name “FLOTEMAR” embossed on its base. No other name or country was indicated. A Google search was … Continue reading →

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a metal miniature camera

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Many of us think miniature cameras stem from the 1920s when the Leica was announced but there were many earlier ones. In this case it is a French camera named after Monsieur Marion, and sold around 1885. The late … Continue reading →

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bulls eye!

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. In issue 38-3 we reproduce Frank B. Mehlenbacher’s well researched tale of the world’s largest camera manufacturer and its connection with Kodak in Rochester. The manufacturer, Brownell, was born in Ontario and moved to the States when he was … Continue reading →

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postcard from the edge … of summer

Posted on July 14, 2024 by Robert

PHSC President Clint Hryhorijiw Toronto. Summer is here again and your executive will be off for a bit of a rest after our last executive meeting held Wednesday, July 3, 2024 (meeting #49 by ZOOM). You will notice that the … Continue reading →

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pre dating the reflex

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. Camera makers could design a camera that used a lens to view and a second one to capture the scene, but did not know how to name the design. The term “divided camera’ fell flat and the term ‘reflex’ … Continue reading →

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think this Sunday, think trunk sale

Posted on July 12, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. A favourite PHSC event is the annual summer trunk sale in honour of the late Larry Boccioletti. Pictured at left is a scene from the July 15, 2018 sale. As usual the sale will be outdoors in the morning … Continue reading →

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more colour choice for niche denizens

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The folks at Lomography cater to film niche users who enjoy the ambience of film images not possible with digital technology (sorta like vinyl vs. CD audio fans). If you are a film fan in or close to the … Continue reading →

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pas de duex

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The late Stan White chose to highlight the little Kodak Duex camera in the column “A Treasure from my Collection”. Only retailed for a couple of years, the Duex was an ugly duckling to camera collectors. Stan begins the … Continue reading →

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Dag-nab-it again

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. In journal issue 38-2, an article titled, “MATTHEW ISENBURG’S Collection Comes to Toronto” penned by our late editor Bob Lansdale expands on the then recent press release. Bob writes, “The Matthew R. Isenburg Collection of early photography has been … Continue reading →

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kidding around …

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. … in the 1870s. Hard to imagine, but this crisp, well exposed portrait of a little girl is over 150 years old! Many prints this old – or far younger – have succumbed to fading,  lost detail, etc. This … Continue reading →

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