Category Archives: auction

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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Feb 15, 2026 Museum Auction Part 2

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Robert

IMPORTANT: OUR AUCTION WAS RESCHEDULED TO FEB 15th DUE TO BAD WEATHER. Toronto.  NOTE THE NEW DATE. Part 2 is coming fast – our 2026 Museum Auction Part 2, Sunday, February 15, 2026 in Long Branch (south west Toronto) at … Continue reading →

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Museum Auction Pt 2 – Feb 15, 2026

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Our first 2026 event is our February 15, 2026 Museum Auction, Part 2 featuring more lots from the Sherman Hines Museum plus other estate items. Sorry, no consignment lots. Questions? Drop auctioneer Clint a note at auction@phsc.ca. The yellow … Continue reading →

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hotdog! It’s a hoodie!

Posted on November 9, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. With apologies to Sam whose jingle sparked this title. No lens should be sans hood. The purpose of the lens hood is to allow all image forming rays to hit the media and all other rays to be blocked, … Continue reading →

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a lot of brass …

Posted on November 8, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … as my mother used to say. At tomorrow’s fair lot 299 features an old Bausch & Lomb brass lens with a coverage of  12×15 inches called an “Extra Rapid Universal” lens complete with a lens mount but no … Continue reading →

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