Auction Fall 2023 – September 17, 2023

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Robert

September 17 2023 Auction

Toronto.  Get ready for our Fall Estate Auction! It’s an INDOOR AUCTION on September 17, 2023 in Long Branch (south west Toronto) at the usual venue BUT at a slightly different time (see poster) – free parking and free admission.

This Estate Auction features goodies for both film and digital folk – photographs, cameras, lenses, accessories, books, and more. Come out and enjoy this event. Click on the AUCTION tab here or in the menu bar above for directions.

Everybody is welcome. Sorry, no Consignment lots at the door this time. These lots are all ESTATE – really good items, some rare these days. The fall auction  is just in time to let you augment your collection or user gear!

We owe Clint a big thank you for photographing and tagging the lots shown here (images arrived by SD card and email – more have just been added). Click on the montage below, then on the “Portrait of a Period” book (lot 33), and then on any lot icon to see it larger.

The photos in the slide show are in lot order from lot 33 to lot 460 (there may be some variation in the sequence of the thumbnails). Earlier photos went to lot 349 so the photos of lots 350 to 460 are new. Note: lots start at 33 with some gaps in lot numbers. This is shaping up to  be a really exciting auction with a very wide variety of lots – something for literally everyone!

MORE NEW LOT PHOTOS: This time (September 9th) lots 350 to 460 were added so we have photos for lots 33 to 460!  Please note that during the auction, the sequence of lots  is the auctioneer’s choice and will vary from the numerical sequence shown here.

Your left/right arrows will work to move from one enlarged photo to another. The red tags or hand written notations show the lot number. There are some 406 photos so they may take a few seconds to load. These photos were adjusted with Affinity Photo, Focus Magic and  for later lots, also with Topaz Photo AI (including version 2 for the last lots)- Enjoy!

Click above to see lots posted to date

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American photographer Arnold Newman pix at AGO

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Robert

Arnold Newman – self portrait c1981

Toronto. The AGO recently announced it is hosting, BUILDING ICONS: ARNOLD NEWMAN’S MAGAZINE WORLD, 1938-2000“. The exhibit opens October 18, 2023 and will run until its closing on January 21, 2024.

Anyone interested in photography must visit the AGO exhibition to see the works of this professional photographer whose photos are mostly 20th century but drifts into the current century.

Unable to get to the exhibit? Check your local library for books about Newman and his photography. Whether you collect images, actively shoot photos, or research photo history, Newman’s photos and story will be of great interest.

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aide-de-combat

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Robert

War Photographer Paul Tomelin c1952  courtesy of Legion Magazine

Toronto. The idea for this article comes from my good friend George Dunbar. The Legion magazine is online in both official languages. We mentioned war photographers in a number of earlier posts. Here we relate to the techniques of the photographers with a Canadian perspective.

Our Legion magazine this summer has a lengthier (and  interesting) article on the photographers who bravely recorded images of conflicts in “The Eyes of War” by Stephen J. Thorne.

The cover of Legion Magazine for this summer highlights Thorne’s article.  In the article are some memorable war photographs including the one from the Korean war by Tomelin.

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September is Fall Auction Month

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. We are hosting our Fall Auction September 17, 2023. This will be an Estate Auction with no consignments at the door (sorry). For a ‘sneak’ preview of some of the lots, click the little Minox (lot 096) icon on this post.

Then click here for a few new lots recently added.

See the poster below for details. Questions? Email auction@phsc.ca or info@phsc.ca.

join the fun at our fall auction – collectible and user gear

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Odessa Antique Show

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Robert

Visit the Odessa Antique show this month – you may find that rare piece for your collection

Toronto. As collectors we are constantly in search of that rare piece to add to our collection. The PHSC shows are often a good source. Another source seldom mentioned here is Antique Shows. They too might have gems for your collection. An upcoming one is the well known Odessa Antique Show in eastern Ontario, held this year on the 12th-13th of this month (this coming weekend).

My friend Les Jones writes, “… I will be exhibiting my wares at the famous Odessa Antique Show (2 hours east on the 401) on Aug 12 and 13 for those looking for interesting cameras or images. Maybe even a Clarus! ”

Visit the Show web site above or see the attached poster (click on the image at top left) for further information, map, etc. As noted you might find just the thing to augment your collection – or a more attractive piece to replace an item in your collection. Odessa makes a fine family outing (many of us look for other antiques beyond cameras and photographs).

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the future looks fascinating

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Robert

a $25,000US camera body with ultra high sensitivity by Canon

Toronto. When digital came along, photography was revolutionized. Pictures were technically perfect with a digital ‘auto everything’ camera. It still took a professional or knowledgeable amateur to understand framing, lighting, etc for a shot that was steady and captured feelings.

Over the next few decades, sensors increased in size, sensitivity,  and resolution with a reduction in noise. Small sensors have also increased in sensitivity and resolution with lower noise.

Modern smartphones are all camera-equipped and have amazingly tiny sensors and computers to auto correct images. The box camera brigade have no idea how complex their tiny cameras are to create decent images in spite of them.

My first Sony (F828) even had night vision allowing infra red (IR) photos up to a few feet away in total darkness. Recently I had security cameras installed. For them, modern technology means video is on 24/7 and any motion is captured. A hard drive records the video which can be scrubbed back and forth later. A copy of any suspicious activity can be easily downloaded for action,

Once filled, the hard drive begins to over write the oldest videos. Amazingly, at night the cameras automatically switch to IR and record motion activated videos in monotone for the same distance as day time!  Using an outdoor light means the camera is automatically adjusted for white balance and colour videos are recorded. The camera are all digital using an ethernet connection for signal transmission to a recorder and low power transmission to a camera.

The blog Review Geek covers  Canon’s  MS-500 with its spectacular new sensor. While very costly, the sensor hints at the future of digital photography. Modern cameras have low end sensitivity that was once high end and high end sensitivity beyond our imagination two decades ago. In time the cost of these new Canon sensors will drop (think of CD/DVD recorders) and such ultra high sensitivity will be the standard for digital cameras.

 

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botany and the first book with cyanotypes of specimens

Posted on August 5, 2023 by Robert

Ms Atkins c1861 from Wikipedia article

Toronto. Did you ever wonder about the first time a book was printed with photographs included? And the topic? and the author?

Well, wonder no more! My good friend and fellow PHSC member, Les Jones, (author, sports photographer, past president of the PHSC, etc.) sent this message along to me with a brief extract from a book review in Nature magazine:

“Anna Atkins was a pioneer of botany [and a friend of William Fox Talbot] at a time when women were largely excluded from scientific discussions. In 1843, she started using a then-brand-new technique called cyanotype [shown are three cyanotypes of (from left) Laurencia pinnatifida, Aspidium denticulatum and Dictyota dichotoma. Credit: Sepia Times/Universal Images Group/Getty] to produce hundreds of ghostly white-on-blue photos of algae and ferns.

“Her book, which became the first to contain photographic illustrations, is now among the rarest of rare. Historian Peter Walther’s print compilation Anna Atkins reveals more than 500 of her images. ‘To leaf through them is to rediscover an era of painstaking observation and preparation, far removed from a casual snap with a smartphone,’ says science writer and reviewer Georgina Ferry.”

An interesting story about an historic figure in the history of our favourite art form. Oh yes, and the review covers a 2023 book entitled Anna Atkins: Cyanotypes by Peter Walther and published in Europe by TASCHEN.

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Lucy again

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Robert

another brass Camera Lucida over a century old – courtesy of Les Jones

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 Lucy, I noted the relationship this brass accessory has to photography and the negative/positive process we grew up with in the days of film.

My friend Les Jones, who provided the image for this post, said along with the images, “I have a couple of old ones – always been fascinated by them”. I have the one shown in the ‘Lucy’ post in a wooden case with a green velvet interior. At the time I acquired it, the late Bill Belier mentioned his interest in the little brass device – some 4 decades or so back. I also have three that fit microscopes. They are much newer (used with slides to draw objects seen in a microscope).

The original Camera Lucida is another tiny bit of photographic history, a painter’s aid that sparked the idea of a fundamental system of photography used for over a century and a half. The ‘lucida and an inquisitive and creative English gentleman created an enduring concept; one used by niche enthusiasts in this time of digital technology.

Browse our auction and fair this fall – you may just find one for your collection.

 

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one quarter photographer

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Robert

photographs by Paul McCartney of Fab Four Fame

Toronto. Beatlemania hit North America in the 1960s. I knew a girl in Montreal who had every Beatles LP ever pressed. Of the Fab Four, it was Paul Mc Carney who also made a name for himself as a photographer.

My good friend, George Dunbar, wrote this review of McCartney’s 2023 book and shared it with us.

1964: Eyes of the Storm
photographs by Paul McCartney
review by George Dunbar

“Another amazing book of photography. This one with photographs by Paul McCartney, taken during the Beatles’ Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, Washington and Florida tours of 1963-64. I’ve just received a copy from the Toronto Public Library and am also ‘amazed’ by its weight – I hold it on my lap with great difficulty (10″x11″x1″, 335 pages, more than 275 images).

“Unlike my recent viewing of the fantastic photography by Gene Smith, these photos must be categorized as ‘family snapshots.’  That’s certainly not to dismiss them as boring or useless, but rather to welcome and enjoy the very candid and personal views of McCartney’s band of buddies, friends, associates, fans and photographers who followed them everywhere during these tours. We get a real feeling of the intimacy, joy and pleasure of the Beatles’ memorable road trips.

“The book is based on negatives and contact prints that were given to the National Portrait Gallery after the tour. Paul writes of the nostalgia he felt when viewing once again these old photos, unseen since the ’60s. We have his recollections of those marvellous, youthful days in the lives of the Beatles.

“The text by McCartney and other observers is enlightening and it’s a pleasure to read the revealing, behind-the-scenes activities of these unique young men. This was the America tour that included the famous Ed Sullivan TV appearances. Particularly of interest to me  is a chapter on Paul’s working relationships with so many famous photographers, film makers and others who often spent days with the Fab Four.”

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auction-time … and the bargains are many

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Robert

Visit our fall auction Sunday, September 17th, 2023

Toronto.  Next month will be fall … and Auction time again! Be sure you mark the date: SUNDAY, September 17th. It’s another INDOOR AUCTION down in the Long Branch area of Toronto at the usual venue and our slightly later time (the details will be on a poster due up in a few weeks).

This Estate Auction has stuff for both film and digital folk – photographs, cameras, lenses, accessories, books, and more. Click on the AUCTION tab here or in the menu bar above for directions.

Everybody is welcome. Lots will be from ESTATES this time. Stanhopes, cameras, images, photo paper-weights, etc  – really good items (some rather rare). As usual, all lots are in the order chosen by our auctioneer, Clint, to whom we owe a big thanks for photographing the lot examples shown. (PS more will be added over the next few weeks).

Meantime, here is a preview of just a few of the items up for auction! Click on the image at top left, then on the ivory Stanhope, and then on any lot icon to see it larger. Your left/right arrows will work to move from one enlarged photo to another. NB all items are identified by lot (usually a red tag). Enjoy!

Nb: Remember the musical Porgy and Bess? This post title is a riff on a poplar tune from there  – Summertime.

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