Category Archives: history

proof of the pudding …

Posted on July 7, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … is in the eating, or so they say. About two years before announcing the Daguerreotype process, Louise Daguerre tested his process by taking a portrait of M Huet. The reproduction in issue 24-4 is courtesy of and is … Continue reading →

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these shoes are made for walking …

Posted on July 6, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Collectors of cameras and photos haunted garage sales, photo retail stores, antique shops, flea markets, etc. in search of old collectibles. Some even resorted to want ads in the days of newspapers. The mantra was “save the best and … Continue reading →

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thinking cool thoughts …

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Sweltering weather last week and more forecast for next week. We seem to be getting a preview of the effect of climate change! Phew! After the recent rash of camera posts, it’s time to give the other side – … Continue reading →

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a century already?

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Wow! Leica has been around for a century now. It seems like only yesterday that the little camera saved a German optical house and revolutionized photography – all after WW1 ended. The camera, formally introduced to the world in … Continue reading →

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an eye-popping price tag!

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. A null series  Leica serial 112, once assigned to the inventor of the tiny marvel, Oskar Barnack, was sold at auction in Europe for an estimated 11 and a half MILLION dollars Canadian! The camera was sold by Leica … Continue reading →

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A Photo Album from 1930

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Photo collectors frequently add photo albums to their collection. These are often Victorian in nature filled with CDVs, Cabinet cards and the like. But some albums are special, even post Victorian, and  intended to commemorate big events. Check out … Continue reading →

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sometimes a bit sketchy

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Being a small journal, we get/ask members to contribute. One fine contribution was that of the late Thomas Ritchie from Ottawa. His article on a photographic process is titled, “AUTOGRAPH ETCHINGS – John Ehninger’s New Application of Photographic Art”. Like … Continue reading →

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PUTSing it to plastic …

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. Early on photography became a main-stay of advertisements, brochures, and manuals.  As camera and image collecting interest grew, so did interest in photographic history, including that of camera manufacturers. Around the same time, the CD replaced the old vinyl … Continue reading →

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… meanwhile, back east …

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. For over a century, Montreal was our largest city per capital. And the most well known photographic studio in Montreal was operated by Notman with branches in Ontario and down the American east coast. The studio photograph at left … Continue reading →

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mythography

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. When I was a kid, I spent a few weeks in the bush with my dad’s brother. My uncle mentioned his horse was skittish around loud noises so he returned to Ontario. “Like gunshots?”, I naively asked. My uncle … Continue reading →

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