seeing stereo

Posted on October 5, 2024 by Robert

Polaroid Stereo c1985

Toronto. In issue 17-2, Ev printed part one of an article by Dr. Harvey A. Kader, B.Sc., M.Sc., O.D. called, “Stereopsis and Stereoacuity”. Part 1 covers the physiological and optical basis for stereo vision.

At left is a relatively modern stereo slide shot on the wonderful but short lived Polaroid colour transparency film.

Ev introduces Dr Kader as follows, “Dr. Harvey A. Kader is an optometrist. He has a great interest in all aspects of photography and cameras. He has a B.Sc. in biochemistry, and a M.Sc. in chemistry, both degrees from McGill University. His O.D.degree is from the University of Waterloo.

“Dr. Kader’s graduate research was on the development of potential anti-cancer and anti-viral medicines. He is a part-time clinic faculty member at the School Of Optometry, University of Waterloo, in addition to private practice in Toronto.”

All of Dr Kader’s article and illustrations are available on the PHSC DVD sent to all members. Not a member? Well, it’s a simple and inexpensive process! See the material above under the ‘MEMBERSHIP’ menu item and/or at right as “Membership – Join or Renew!”. Questions? Send a brief email message to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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a fair bit of excitement …

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Robert

Crowd at the Spring Fair in 1991

Toronto.Fairs always bring excitement. Our spring fair 33 years or so ago was no different. In issue 17-2 of our journal, Bob Lansdale’s photos like the one at left were reproduced while Larry Boccioletti summarized the event saying, “Although it took more work than previous Fairs, it was a resounding success.

“John Alldredge’s evaluation table appraised some twenty cameras; eighty-one tables offered innumerable items; 608 discount tickets (of which 157 were clipped from news papers) were collected. No actual count of total admissions was made but the photo page by Bob Lansdale tells the story.”

You may not have been around back then, or perhaps you were too young to collect photographic goodies. You can make it up now by visiting our latest fall fair on October 20, 2024!  Lots of free parking in the area, delicious food, inexpensive admission, and a chance to discover new goodies for your collection or use! This link gives details and directions.

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a “something” camera

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Robert

Bill Belier’s ‘something’ back in fall, 1991 courtesy of Ev Roseborough

Toronto. Did you ever see a one-off camera? Bill Belier found such a beast that was once used in a studio. In issue 17-2 Ev writes and illustrates this captivating find by Bill Belier in an article titled: [Identify] Bill’s “Something”; win a book!

Ev describes his first encounter with Bill and the beast, “Recently one evening the ‘phone rang and a familiar voice enquired if we had finished dinner. This immediately set him apart from most other callers to the Editor who usually launch into their discourse as soon as the receiver is lifted.

“The caller was Bill Belier and the conversation went something like this:

“I have bought a ‘something’. perhaps you can tell me what it is?”

“Half an hour later a perspiring Bill struggled up the steps. clutching a huge wooden contraption which he deposited on the floor with a thud.”

Members back in 1991 read the story in their copy of the journal. Recent members could also read the story, but as a pdf file on the ‘members only’ DVD. It is easy to join – see ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above or ‘Membership – Join or Renew!’ at the right. Drop Lilianne Schneider an email at member@phsc.ca if you have questions.

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Micklethwaite Captures U of T Ruins

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Robert

1890 – fire destroys east wing interior of University College – photo by F W Micklethwaite

Toronto. In issue 17-2 Bob Wilson featured a local disaster in his “Image of the Month” column. In 1890, the east wing of University College on the U of T campus was ravaged internally by fire, a definite threat back in the days of exposed flames. The photograph was taken by a famous Toronto photographer, Frank Micklethwaite.

Bob writes a portion of his story as, “On the evening of February 14, 1890, a college servant dropped a tray of lighted kerosene lamps. The fire quickly spread through the dry wooden interior and destroyed the entire east wing of the building. But, as was reported in 1891, ‘luckily its outer walls, and particularly its noble front, were saved from destruction’.

“The loss included the College library and its 33,000 books. The building was soon reconstructed using funds from provincial and private sources and it is still in use today.

“After the fire, many Toronto citizens would have come to observe the ruins. Some of them can be seen in this photograph of the building taken on the day after the fire. The photographer on the scene that day was F. W. Micklethwaite.”

Bob continues this story addressing a brief history of the dashing photographer. Members in 1991 read Bob’s story in a printed copy of the journal. Newer members read the pdf file for issue 17-2 on the ‘members only’ DVD. Not yet a member? Tsk, tsk. It is easy and inexpensive to join: See the info above under ‘MEMBERSHIP’ or at right under ‘Membership – Join or Renew!’ Questions? Send Lilianne an email at member@phsc.ca.

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making things really big …

Posted on October 1, 2024 by Robert

sketch from Photographic Mosaics, 1899 edition

Toronto. In issue 17-2 the late Robert Wilson has a column titled, “Pages From the Past”, This particular column’s article is titled, “Tele-Photo Combinations By C. Francis Jenkins”.

The article is reprinted from, “Photographic Mosaics published in Washington, D.C. by Edward L. Wilson and in its thirty-fifth year when this volume was printed. Wilson described it as “an annual record of photographic progress”. The following appeared in that 1899 edition and describes one way of obtaining very large magnifications – if you have a number of long bellows view cameras lying around.”

Shades of Gigapixel! To read this story (which members read in the printed version of the journal and today’s members can now read in the pdf version), just grab the issue 17-2 pdf file on the DVD. This PHSC members only DVD (with volumes 1-40 of our journal) goes free to all members. Join the PHSC today by following either ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above or ‘Membership – Join or Renew’ at the right. It’s easy and inexpensive! Meet other camera collectors, photo collectors, photo historians, etc..  Questions? Email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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Latest Daguerreian Society Quarterly Issued

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. One of our exchange organizations is the Daguerreian Society. This group recently announced their third quarterly issue for 2024.

Cover of the DSQ 36-3

In a mail last, the contents of this issue were listed as including:

  • Latest details on next month’s Symposium & Photo Fair in Houston, with topics ranging from a spectacular collection just acquired by a leading museum to early dog show images and tintypes of the first automobiles
  • Preview of select offerings in the live Benefit Auction
  • Jeremy Rowe reports on the September photography auction by Michael Lehr Antiques
  • Wm. B. Becker digs up a super-early daguerreotypist’s ad that reveals just how long patrons had to hold still for a portrait in 1841
  • Stephen Perloff recaps the Smithsonian’s purchase of the earliest known photograph of a U.S. First Lady
  • In Memoriam: Rebecca L. Norris by Cliff Krainik

To read the articles in full, use the above link and join the Daguerreian Society (DS). This organization also publishes a massive annual. The DS is focussed on images, and mainly those of the first ever process – the Daguerreotype. P.S. you may see some familiar faces in the DS group shot since some PHSC members are also DS members.

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I’ll go bare foot before I’ll miss the fall fair

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Robert

little bare foot kid photographed by Featherstone in Milton, Ontario.

Toronto. You heard me! With less than a month to wait, I think of all the goodies I will find at the coming fall fair (October 20th).

There will be lots of photos like the little bare foot child shown here at left. Besides photos we usually have cameras, lenses, accessories, books, ephemera, darkroom stuff, studio stuff, etc etc. There will be something for every collection.

At the fair, you can add to your collection and to your user gear (whether you favour film or digital technology). Come and be part of the excitement. Remember, for those of you who feel you have good written material (about photos, processes, equipment, studios, photo history, etc.) that others may enjoy, we have lots of venues – just ask for Clint at the fair).

This link goes to the poster for time and location. The fall fair is easy to reach, either by TTC  or driving (lots of free parking in the area). We have good food; the show is indoors; and admission is inexpensive.

See old friends and tons of bargains! Everyone has a great time at our fairs.

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we’re going to the fair!

Posted on September 28, 2024 by Robert

print of two young kids standing by a c1924 automobile

Toronto. Wow! This is so exciting! The fall fair is less than a month away! The doors open at noon, October 20th, 2024 (sorry, but the 2024 fall fair is open only on Sunday, the 2oth).

Expect to see some photos like the one at left of the old car and two kids. Besides photos, our fairs offer cameras (mostly old, but usually some digitals, lenses, accessories, books, ephemera, darkroom stuff, studio stuff, etc etc. – there will be something for every photo collector whether the collection is prints or cameras. There are usually things for collectors, users, and even  photo historians!

Often you will find user gear for both film folk and the digital mavens. Join the excitement. In fact, if you have something to say or write of interest to photo historians, we have lots of venues – just ask for Clint (fair@phsc.ca).

Click here for time and location. The fall fair in Toronto is at Evans and Islington, on the eastern edge of Mississauga – easy to reach. There is public transit nearby as well as free parking for all you drivers. There is good food; the fair is indoors; and the cost is inexpensive!

See old friends; see tons of bargains! And remember , you always have a good time the PHSC fall fair.

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I see a great fair coming fast …

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Robert

Portrait of child by Green & Co, Berlin, ONT. (now Kitchener)

Toronto. It’s less than a month away! Our fall fair opens its doors for one day only on October 20th, 2024.

Lots of photos like the one at left (from the days when we called Kitchener “Berlin”). And of course you will find cameras, lenses, accessories, books, ephemera, darkroom stuff, studio stuff, etc etc. – something for every photo collector – prints, cameras, photo history, etc.

Not only can you add to your collection, but there will be user gear for film folk or digital mavens. Come along and join in on the excitement (p.s. we have lots of venues for those who would like to write about photo history, or talk about it and historical aspect of the photo art – just ask for Clint).

Check out this poster for time and location. Easy to reach, public transit nearby, free parking for all you drivers, good food, indoors, inexpensive.

Come out and see old friends (and tons of bargains)! There is always a good time to be had at our fairs.

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conserving old photos

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Robert

a studio portrait tintype with some surface problems

Toronto. Many of us have met Lincoln Ross during meetings, presentations, and fairs. In issue 17-2 Lincoln wrote an article called, “A Professional Approach to Conserving Photographic Material”.

The article gives sound advice on ways to conserve old photos. Near the beginning, Lincoln states, “Photograph Conservation has come a long way in the past 15 years [written fall 1991].

“What used to be a ‘hands-off approach to preserving photographs is now changing as our knowledge increases. thanks to the efforts of Dr. Klaus B. Hendriks (Ottawa). Mr. James M. Reilly (Rochester. N.Y.). and Mr. Henry Wilhelm [check out Henry’s download for lots of great material] (Grinnell, Iowa).

“However, when people hear the word ‘restore’ most think of air brushing and retouching. While there is a demand for such work, conservation (restoration) goes far beyond it.

“Conservation is the preservation of original photographic materials and includes chemical treatments to reverse and/or stabilize their condition. Most photo conservation knowledge is in the area of black & white materials, and is in no way complete. …”

Visitors to our fall events (fair on Oct 20th is next) may find interesting photos, cameras, lenses, etc for their personal collections. Members of the PHSC could read all of Lincoln’s article in issue 17-2 in either hard copy for or more recently as a searchable pdf file on the free to members DVD. Not a member yet? See the menu item ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above and the ‘Membership, Join or Renew!’ paragraphs at the right. Questions? Drop an email to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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