remembering Bob Lansdale

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Robert

A young Bob Lansdale in Jack Marshall’s darkroom (early 1950s)

Toronto. Bob’s son Robert sent over these images and asked me to switch them into yesterday’s post which I agreed to do. However; both sets are so wonderful I decided to do a second post instead.

When I first met Bob, little did I know that he was so innovative – always thinking of ways to achieve an improvement and attract more members. For those of you who are unaware of Bob’s contributions, let me state some of them once again. Hs first and longest duty for the PHSC was to edit the journal, “Photographic Canadiana” which he did with enthusiasm and professionalism right to his end.

He did lengthy research into Canadian photographers and inventors, unearthing and publishing details that got buried in the noise of histories published by far bigger countries. He expanded his network of willing writers world wide. In time, he began to get offers of material written by many others.

Worried about society events that missed the publishing deadline, he conceived a free pdf-style newsletter that continues to this day.  To eliminate wasted journal pages, he dropped the back cover advertisement began by Jack Addison in the early days of the society and moved other material to a newly created “news sheet” that was packaged with each issue of the journal. Continue reading →

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the end of an era in journalism

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Robert

Editor Bob Lansdale with his Nikon and Leica M in 1982 (courtesy of son Robert)

Toronto. Our journal editor died at 2 am Tuesday (yesterday). Bob Lansdale was 90 years old. He was a valued member of the PHSC and a personal friend. The images below are courtesy of his eldest son, Robert.

Bob joined the society in the membership year of 1985. Once he finished editing and producing his late wife’s book of selected columns that she wrote for the publications of the PPO/PPOC, he collaborated with then editor, the late EvRoseborough, to learn the structure and distribution of Photographic Canadiana.

In January, 1997 Bob became editor with issue 22-4. He continued as editor right up to his death with the pdf  publication of issue 47-2 just a few days ago – over 100 issues edited making Bob the longest running editor of Photographic Canadiana to date.

While editor, Bob expanded his network and encouraged others (including members) to write articles addressing mainly photographic history in Canada. In November 2001 he produced his first pdf newsletter to address the need for a means to report timely events between issues of the journal and to solve the cost of colour images on paper. Continue reading →

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it’s not easy being green

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Robert

What ever happened to Anken film? Ad from June 1947 issue of Pop Photography.

Toronto. … sang Kermit the frog in his famous 1970 song on Sesame Street so many years ago. This apparently applied to a film called “Anken” too. The film was orthochromatic and, according to the ads, available in the most popular roll film sizes (127 120/620, 116/616). No mention of 135 (35mm) which became a major force in the industry especially the last half of the past century.

I never came across Anken film which was made by the “Anken Chemical & Film Company” of Newton New Jersey. A company called “Anken Chemical & Film Corporation” appears to have replaced the earlier company. On the internet, there are various references to Anken of Newton NJ. In the 1960s, the company made photographic paper. Later on, lawsuits suggested they were into photo copiers. Later still there is reference to a truck system for shipping goods in the States. The film and company seem to have vanished over time.

The above ad appears in the June 1947 issue of Popular Photography. Our thanks to good friend George Dunbar for suggesting this ad and link as part of our photographic history.

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all a twitter

Posted on July 12, 2021 by Robert

PHSC Twitter

Toronto.  Well, it had to come to this. Twitter, I mean. When the society was established back in 1974, everyone had a land line and a postal address. Personal computers were unheard of. Mobile telephones were massive affairs used only by companies and very deep pocketed folk.

Later, businesses could have and use a new concept – the toll free telephone number. It could be used country, continent or even world-wide (for a fee to the owner).

Personal computers (so called micro computers) began to appear in the 1980s. They were a bit too pricey at the start but quickly dropped in relative cost. Bulletin boards popped up as a means for individuals to communicate via “modems” that cost nearly as much as a  personal computer. Continue reading →

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all that’s fit to photograph

Posted on July 11, 2021 by Robert

Graflex ad in the December 1946 issue of Pop Photography

Toronto. The best known press cameras according to Hollywood seem to be the ubiquitous Speed Graphic models. This ad from the December, 1946  issue of Popular Photography [link repeated here for the viewer’s convenience]  suggests why.

My thanks to good friend, retired industrial photographer/videographer, and PHSC member, George Dunbar, for sharing his interesting find with us.

NB. The title of this post is a riff on one of the most famous ‘catch phrases’ in Newspaper History, “All the News That’s Fit to Print“. Owner of the NY Times, Adolph Ochs, coined it in 1897 and it remains the slogan of the NY Times newspaper today.

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John Kantymir 1966-2021

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Robert

PHSC July trunk sale in 2015. Photo by Bob Lansdale

Toronto. It was with great shock and sadness that we learned of the passing of our 1st VP, John Nicholas Kantymir, suddenly at home the evening of July 8th, 2021. John leaves behind his wife and children. He was always involved with our auctions and fairs. John joined the executive team shortly after Clint became our president.

He and wife Carri made the long trek to most executive meetings. Carri often helped with the refreshments. John was also a frequent contributor to the “A Treasure from my Collection” column in Photographic Canadiana. His knowledge was most welcome in estimating the value of items and lots presented at our auctions.

John’s obituary reads, “It is with great sadness and sorrow that the family announces John’s sudden passing on July 8, 2021 in his 55th year. Beloved husband of Carolin (nee Sawatzky). Loving father of Nicole, Michelle, Robert (Destiny), Stephen and Kerrin (Travis). Caring grandpa to William, Elliawna, Izek, Ethan and Ariel.

“Predeceased by his father Bill Kantymir (Big Daddy). John was V.P. for the Photographic Historical Society of Canada. (PHSC) The family will receive friends at the ARMSTRONG FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 179 Clarence Street, Port Colborne on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 from 1 – 3 p.m. (Due to COVID restrictions, attendance will be monitored, gathering limits will be enforced and face masks are required.)

“A private funeral service will follow in the Armstrong Chapel. To view the service a link will be made available on Monday July 12, 2021 at 2 p.m. Please go to YouTube and type into the search bar – Armstrong Funeral Home & Chapel Port Colborne John Kantymir Funeral Service, and you will be able to view the service.

“If so desired, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Photographic Historical Society of Canada, 666 Burnhamthorpe Rd., Box 11703, Etobicoke, ON, M9C 2Z0 – phsc.ca Online photos, memories, condolences and donations may be shared at www.armstrongfuneralhome.ca”.

 

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want more about cabinet cards?

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Robert

Studio shot of two safety bicycles and their male riders. Taken by McCormick in Belleville ON

Toronto. You are in luck! Our sister organization, the Daguerreian Society in the States is hosting an online talk this Saturday (July 10, 2021) afternoon by Senior Curator of Photographs, John Rohrbach, of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Texas titled, “What’s So Special about Cabinet Cards“.

There is usually a small fee for their talks. Sign up now for this talk via PayPal (no account needed). You can also join the Daguerreian Society too!

The internet and libraries, archives, books, etc are alternatives to learn more about these oversize CDV style photo cards so popular late in the 19th century.

Come out to our fairs, shows, meetings and auctions to find the cards and many other treasures. As COVID-19 restrictions are loosened, we will return to in person activities. Follow our web site and the “PHSC News” newsletters for the latest news.

 

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Photographic Canadiana Vol 47-2

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Robert

Photographic Canadiana Vol 47-2 in PDF format

Toronto. Our editor created this latest issue – its been a bit wild and windy here in the big smoke. We briefly inherited the heat dome that was so devastating to BC, followed by a chilly and rainy period. Bob Lansdale had this issue almost ready weeks ago! Last minute changes were made as late as Thursday, July 8th when members WITH an email address received this delightful 28 page magazine via pdf. It  is  the Photographic Canadiana 47-2 dated July-August  2021.

This is another colourful issue envisioned by editor Lansdale to help create the excitement we all feel as we await the coming end to this rotten  pandemic which has dragged its heels into this year too. Like last year, we plan on doing at least five issues.

Drop me a line at info@phsc.ca if you are a member and haven’t received this special pdf edition. Not a member? Easy-peasy, just break out your plastic (VISA, MasterCard, etc.), follow the rules at the upper right of this page and sign up via PayPal (no PayPal account needed – we will pay the modest fee). Membership is an incredible bargain. Period!

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sweet sixteen by ZOOM

Posted on July 8, 2021 by Robert

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B B B

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Robert

February 1947 ad for the “new” Leica IIIc

Toronto. Some decades back, my VP elected to meet with very junior staff. To break the ice and ease the tension of the many level spread between VP and computer staff, he wore a T-Shirt emblazoned with this alliteration: “Bullshit Baffles Brains”. The shirt proved so popular he was asked to wear it when meeting other junior level groups.

Leitz took the same approach with this February, 1947 advertisement in Popular Photography. By 1947, the IIIc introduced in 1940 was decidedly NOT new by any means (in spite of the WW2 intervention), but lens coating by Leitz was relatively new – even if the lenses quoted were not. There was no built-in flash (the IIIf would introduce that in 1950) and a major revolution with the famous M series was about to hit the markets (1954) although design was underway when the war broke out.

Post war, the German camera makers struggled to assemble cameras in any way possible to meet demand and build back market share. In fact, the American government had yet to decide who would represent Leitz in the newly important America.

My thanks to George Dunbar for once again sharing his amazing find with us.

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