lots of weighty things

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Robert

lot 072 is an example of photo paperweights in the PHSC auction this September

Toronto. We collect cameras, lenses, and photographs. Others collect paperweights. And like photo history buffs (camera collectors, photo collectors, ephemera, etc.), many clubs exist for the paperweight collectors (see additional resources on this site). There are also Canadian clubs.  Sometimes the two disciplines merge as is the case with photograph-decorated paperweights.

Paperweights have been around for a long time. They were an office staple back in the days when paper copies of things prevailed (invoices, bills of lading, cheques, etc.). Today, such ‘essentials’ seem to have departed from the offices of the nation.

Interestingly, they remain artistic items worthy of collection instead of being of practical use in this digital age.

Come and visit our fall ESTATE auction on September 17th, 2023. There are lots with photo paperweights along with lots with 35mm camera, ultra miniature cameras, photographs, books, Stanhopes, and many more goodies (film or digital) for the collector and user.

Posted in auction | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on lots of weighty things

Rebel with a cause

Posted on August 20, 2023 by Robert

Lot 205 – Canon Rebel body in box with IB

Toronto. At the September 17, 2023 ESTATE Auction, there will be lots for all – including the digerati amongst us.

For example, lot 205 shown at left is Canon’s EOS Rebel T2i digital camera body. Well received by reviewers, this model topped the Canon ‘prosumer’ lineup in 2010 when it was first available.

Like the Nikon D60 posted earlier, it is one of many lots in this auction especially for digital fans – collectors or users. Come out on Sunday, September 17th to see friends old and new and perhaps augment your collection or discover another item for your user gear. Free admission and parking as usual.

Posted in camera | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Rebel with a cause

for want of a board …

Posted on August 19, 2023 by Robert

Lancaster Instantograph c1886 – 1910 as snapped by Carl Baxby

Toronto. This is the famous English camera called the Lancaster ‘Instantograph’. The camera was made from c1886 to 1910. The name indicates a dry plate camera.

The Instantograph used a revolutionary dry plate that was so much faster and neater than any wet plate. And dry plates finally allowed ‘instantaneous’ photos (about 1/15 second) to be taken on a tripod.

Lancaster manufactured the camera in various sizes to accommodate different plate sizes from a small 1/4 plate model to a large 10×12 inch plate model. A major design change was made about a year after first introducing the camera, making earlier cameras very rare (information from McKeown’s Cameras price guide, 11th edition).

While visiting an auction in Eastern Ontario this summer, past president of the PHSC, Les Jones, managed to obtain one, less a single critical part – the baseboard – which allows the lens/bellows to be set for subject distance.

Les writes, “I bought a wonderful and early English Instantograph camera at the auction which is missing the baseboard. Essential for use and hard to replace. Eventually tracked down a photo. If you ever come across anything that looks like any of these – maybe 4” x 6”, very approximately – please do let me know. It would make my day.”

Should you have a suitable baseboard like this (click hot link for photo) kicking around, drop me a note at info@phsc.ca and I will pass the note on to Les.

NB. Les contacted the Photographic Collectors’ Club of Great Britain’s expert on all thing Instantographic, Carl Baxby, who kindly provided the photos used here.

Posted in camera | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on for want of a board …

a broader view

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Robert

 

the Bristol, England Balloon Fiesta photographed on a c1890s camera – courtesy of BBC News

Toronto. Over a century ago, cameras were made to take a very wide, ‘panorama’, photo. Kodak made some with a lens that swings in a 180 degree arc and the famous geared version (Cirkut) that rotated the entire camera nearly 360 degrees.

Like all fads, panorama photos tended to come and go. Every one has seen a group photograph taken with the Cirkut camera. It was a popular way to record school students, workers, organizations, etc. In film’s dying years, Kodak and other film makers  tried to replace 110 film with APS film and cameras. With APS, the user could specify format, including panorama (cropping the top and bottom areas of a negative). It didn’t catch on.

Nowadays people can set their digital camera or smart phone to ‘panorama’ and carefully scan the scene in the direction shown on the camera screen and at the correct speed to create a modern digital panorama photo – without need for a tripod!

Recently my good friend, George Dunbar, discovered this article in the BBC News written by Clara Bullock. The article describes how Simon Williams photographed the Bristol Balloon Fiesta with an 1890s camera. Two different cameras are illustrated in the article, one obviously a swinging lens design.

Our ESTATE AUCTION next month is an ideal time for you to augment your collection! And hard on its heels on October 15th will be our annual Fall Fair.

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on a broader view

dag – nab it!

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Robert

lot 145 – a cased daguerreotype from the 1800s studio of Henry Warren

Toronto. Okay, it’s not the most subtle expression but our Fall Estate auction on September 17th will  include some cased and uncased images including this uncased daguerreotype (lot 145) taken by Henry Warren down in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Dags are amongst the oldest of photographic images. In fact, a society is dedicated to the Daguerreotype. Ironically, the American society is far more interested in the history of these images and their process than any organization in Europe. It was in France where Louis Daguerre discovered and announced this amazing process (the relative interests are from comments mentioned to me by our late editor, Bob Lansdale, after his visit to France and the home of Niepce and Daguerre).

There is even a Toronto connection: PHSC past president Dr Mike Robinson is one of the few modern-day professional Daguerreotypists (only a half-dozen or so are known to exist). Mike’s studio is in the east end of the city. Mike is also a past president of the Daguerreian Society whose members included a few PHSC members.

Posted in auction | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on dag – nab it!

heavenly shower

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Robert

an 1833 woodcut of the 1833 Leonids display over Niagara Falls

Toronto. Each year as the world rotates around the sun, it passes through the comet debris known as the Perseids meteors. The best and most spectacular display of the resulting ‘shooting stars’ is mid August. While Astronomical  Photography was and is common, it is difficult to find the earliest date the Perseids were captured by a photographer.

Another impressive exhibition of ‘shooting stars’ is called the Leonids and appears about every 33 years so it will occur again around 2030 give or take. The image at left is an 1833 woodcut of the Leonids display over our Niagara Falls in November of that year (courtesy of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada).

Meantime , keep an eye or camera peeled for the Perseids this year – your image may be of historical importance in the future. Do a Google search for recent photographs.

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on heavenly shower

a lot of photos

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Robert

Lot 177 of the Fall Estate Auction. One of numerous photograph lots

Toronto. Some years ago I checked the member interests and about 15% of members collected mainly photographs. Almost all members – including me – seem to  have some old photographs around.

With the evolution of digital technology photograph collections are likely to increase. The Fall Auction of September 17, 2023 has a number of lots, such as number 177 shown here, that are photographs – in folders, cased, etc.

Be sure to mark the date and drop in to see the marvellous lots – photographs, Stanhopes, cased photos, etc. And for the camera folk there are lots with ultra miniature cameras, 35mm cameras, film cameras, digital cameras, and much more to augment user and collector alike.

See you at the auction!

Posted in auction | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on a lot of photos

light me up

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Robert

lighting – courtesy of Doug Hansgate

Toronto. When it comes to photography, the thing  that separates the men from the boys is lighting. Photographers who are light savvy can model their subject to bring out both plasticity and an air of mystery.

Doug Hansgate knows this well. He has a studio just across the border and has announced a  class called “Studio Lighting Class” to be held in his studio on August 19th (Saturday) from 9 am to 5 pm.

Whether you take or collect photographs this course will help. Sign up and visit Doug’s studio this month to see how lighting affects the photograph – either taking or collecting.

Posted in activities-other | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on light me up

train photography

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Robert

c1957 steam engine 6167 loading coal during winter station stop.

Toronto. For many decades travel by train was elite. Train travel gave way to aircraft in time and then passenger trains slowly disappeared for the most part. Most modern day trains are busy shipping goods across North America. A couple of decades ago I used Via Rail to go out to BC and back. Through southern Ontario the train used the old CPR rail line.

During his pursuit of photographic history, my good friend George Dunbar happened upon a Facebook account featuring Train Art. George writes, “A fine archive of train photos here“. While the site is American in origin, many items are common to Canada as are two of the largest North American rail lines: CN and CP. Many railway companies used photographers to record events and the photographs are now held in there archives.

The winter scene (an amateur photo) depicted here is at the old CNR Allandale, Ontario station about an hour north of Toronto. It shows a train from the big smoke taking on more coal as it travels west. Today, the station still exists, but as an historic site. There is  nearby stop for GO train service not for CNR – passenger or freight.

Do a browse on Google to see the variety of train photographs old and new. Also, train photos are another great reason to visit a local library or archive.

Posted in history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on train photography

an auction gem – Nikon D60

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Robert

a Nikon D60 and lens – lot 199 at the Fall Auction

Toronto. As you may know, digital cameras have been around long enough that savvy collectors are adding them today at reasonable prices. Think about the value of truly old cameras and lenses today – far above the original price when new or when discontinued.

Our late editor, Bob Lansdale bought a Nikon D70 first announced in January 2004 (not a D60 from 2008) as his first DSLR. Bob used the camera for a few years as his main camera at PHSC presentations, executive meetings, etc. His D70 model came out about 4 years earlier than the D60 shown here (Lot 199).

Whether you want to add to your collection, find added user gear, or meet with friends old and new, come out and join us on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at our fall ESTATE  Auction. See this previous post for details.

Posted in auction | Tagged , , | Comments Off on an auction gem – Nikon D60