Category Archives: history

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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reminiscing again …

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The second ‘memories’ person in issue 26-4 is the late Ronald Anger – charter member #007. Ron was heavily involved in the society in a variety of capacities including president of the PHSC. Ron collected Ernemann cameras and was a … Continue reading →

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another memories article

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Taking a brief break from collecting, we look once again at the column, “Members Memories… from the past”, initiated by late editor Bob Lansdale in volume 25 of the journal to help celebrate our 25th anniversary. The first memory … Continue reading →

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as Horace Greeley once said …

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. …Go west, young man. Many photographers did indeed ‘go west’ – in North America, that is. Messrs Palmquist and Kailbourn recently released a “biographical dictionary” of the “pioneer photographers of the far west“. This opus was reviewed in issue … Continue reading →

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a really rare one

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. I often mention that wet plate cameras usually self destruct as they are used. In this rare example shown in Bill Belier’s column in issue 26-4 it is described by its present owner – Mike Robinson. Bill begins, “Our … Continue reading →

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submerged in religion

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The article “A Surprising Find!” not only expands on Carswell’s CdVs but discusses the meeting of Baptist clergy in Toronto in 1868 and Carswell’s group photo shown here. It is a collage of individual portraits. The article by editor … Continue reading →

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a pocket full of poses

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Robert

Toronto.  Around the time when the northern part of British North America established  itself as the Dominion of Canada (1867), a Toronto photographer, Robert Carswell, created these CdVs which became part of the late Robert Wilson’s collection. Twenty-five years ago, … Continue reading →

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home movies again …

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. In the time before digital and smart phones everywhere, a sub set of amateur photographers took and projected movies. Home movies entertained us after watching the ‘boob tube’ lost interest momentarily. The late Alan Katttelle from down Massachusetts way, … Continue reading →

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from the very beginning …

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Photography was announced in January 1839 by two very different men as two very different processes, both based on the reaction of silver salts to light. And both were  successful because a means was discovered to make the resulting … Continue reading →

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