Category Archives: history

Lucy again

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. No, not the TV series, “I Love Lucy”, and the madcap antics of Lucille Ball, her husband Desi,  and friends. but the tiny drawing aid, the camera lucida. In an earlier post this year (Feb 19th, 2023) titled simply … Continue reading →

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it ain’t no Leica

Posted on August 1, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Like many 1940s, and ’50s 35mm cameras in contemporary ads, Clarus touted quality comparing the camera indirectly to a Leica, but far less costly. Like the famous little camera manufactured in Germany by Leitz, Clarus was small, compact, chose … Continue reading →

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the stone kids

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Giass was king of the photographic base materials for decades covering wet plate, dry plate, and into the film era. Glass was an ideal medium for photography. It was transparent, flat,  grain free – if carefully made – and … Continue reading →

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focus eruptus

Posted on July 30, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Photography was used to record volcanic activity over a century ago, an activity that continues to this day. A more recent example being a colour video of  an eruption in Hawaii (shown on TV). The record of an eruption … Continue reading →

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when the stars come out

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. My good friend and fellow PHSC member sent along a note with an image of  stars Mary Pickford and husband Douglas Fairbanks at Montreal’s French radio station CKAC in 1922, the year it first went on the air. “Pickford’ … Continue reading →

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hop a bus, Gus

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. The photograph here shows a 1922 trolly bus on Merton Street in Toronto. The photograph is part of the vast collection at the City of Toronto Archives. As we have said many times before, archives are a rich source … Continue reading →

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on what basis?

Posted on July 22, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar wrote me recently regarding a new ‘horror’ book. George writes, ” For those who like horror-novels and photography too, this new book may be just the thing. “‘Silver Nitrate’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia apparently refers to the dangerous … Continue reading →

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once was not a hotel nearby

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. You may not recognize the area today, but in Notman’s day this building on the southeast side of King St (39-43 King Street East) was the studio associated with Montreal’s famous Notman Studio. Notman became renown for his studio’s … Continue reading →

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a steamy day in old SK

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar sent me this photograph from ‘Canada’s History‘. George tells me that the website has a wealth of historic Canadian stories and photographs. Take a look at the site – you may find some interesting stories and photos … Continue reading →

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before we had Carousel projectors

Posted on July 15, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. When 35mm transparency projectors came along, a simple slide holder allowed a slide to be loaded while another was projected. The operator had to keep the slides in order for storage and correctly positioned for right side up and … Continue reading →

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