look ma, no glasses …

Posted on December 15, 2025 by Robert

a new way to take and view 3D scenes

Toronto. In the 1950s, a new ‘lenticular’ technology threatened to turn the 3D world  on its ear. A camera took multiple shots from slightly different angles. When the images were printed, a special lenticular screen was added to the print to display each ‘strip’ of image making a 3D scene sans glasses.

Unfortunately a special camera was required as well as special print processing resulting in limited appeal. Traditional 3D technology continued on, thank you and the Nimslo camera and process faded into history.

Here is the start of the story in issue 26-1: “Stories in Volume 25 #2 concerning the Nimslo and Its Vancouver Connection and The Wonderview S–102 Single Lens 3–D Photo System have brought our attention to an earlier multi-lensed camera featured in the accompanying advertisement from the 1954 British Journal Photographic Almanac.

“The 1953 issue of the BJP Almanac has the following to say about the process and the equipment: A Portable Camera for Autostereoscopy

“Autostereoscopic three-dimensional pictures – pictures which appear to the observer in full natural relief without any artificial viewing aid such as polarizing spectacle – have become known in this country chiefly through the examples of Deep Pictures which have been exhibited here and used in advertising.

“These used the lenticular system as developed in France by the firm La Reliephotographie, using the Bonnet process. In the Bonnet process each (vertical) lenticular element has twenty strip-images. The negative is obtained by what is termed a “camera sweep”, the one taking lens moves along on an arc round part of the subject, the plate and the lenticular selector remaining however parallel to the plane photographed.

“The camera required to do such a job may weigh as much as half a ton. The twenty strip-images necessarily call for considerable camera-sweep, and thus also for bulky apparatus. Deep pictures were made in a similar manner.

“Maurice Bonnet designed a 26-lens camera called the Multiobjectif, to enable the lenticular system to be used for instantaneous photography, but this was not really portable. Now Mr. Colin Butement, formerly associated with Deep Pictures, in conjunction with Ferrari, of Maidstone, Kent, have produced the Lentic camera which, as the illustration shows, really is portable.

“The best way of describing the Lentic system is to say that the technique has been turned back to front. The making of the strip-images takes place after the exposure has been made. This is achieved by making a specially designed enlarger “sweep” over the lenticular elements.

“The necessary controls, including an electric motor, are incorporated in the enlarger and make for automatic printing. Portability of the camera has been obtained by reducing the number of strip-images to the very minimum possible. This has been found to be six, hence there are six lenses in the camera.

“These six perspectives are projected by the special enlarger on to the lenticular screen placed in contact with a sheet of bromide paper. A master negative is made if large quantities are to be printed.” …

Members read the entire story of the predecessor to the Nimslo and the lenticular system in the 26-1 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/memory stick. See above and at right to join. Email all membership questions to member@phsc.ca.

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what big teeth you have …

Posted on December 14, 2025 by Robert

Ambrotype portrait of elderly woman by John Turner of Toronto

Toronto. The Ambrotype at left is one of few cased images with details of the photographer. Bob Lansdale adds this note: “For the story on our cover photograph see page 9 and read the details of discovering a labelled image-case dating to 1860-63. Toronto photographer John Turner left his mark on this family photograph but the question is: Who is the lady? ?”

Collectors of old photos thrive on identifying the process, place, photographer, and subject of their treasures. The earliest portraits, etc, were often cased images – cased for ease of viewing and protection of the delicate image.

We often see these images offered at our events. The 2025 PHSC Events are over now and we will soon announce our 2026 Events (first up is an auction on January 25, 2026 – details to follow). The photo at left and the Toronto photographer who snapped the portrait are dealt with at length in the page 9 article. Members read the article in the issue 26-1 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above/at right to join. Email any membership questions to member@phsc.ca.

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an accidental tourist

Posted on December 13, 2025 by Robert

Bob’s 1949 Speed Graphic and a new fangled electronic flash (Multiblitz)

Toronto. As a kid, I often thought about seeing Europe. Some youths took physical action to do so. In the 1950s, a young news photographer from Toronto found himself in Germany to review the Canadian Military presence there when he was abruptly told to drop every thing and hit the Atlantic shores of France – Marilyn Bell was about to swim the Channel – the youngest person to make the attempt.

Along with Bob was his trusty Speed Graphic and Multiblitz electronic flash.  The story is told by Bob to Bill Belier in Bill’s column “A Treasure From My Collection … “.

Bill begins the story, “For some time I’ve been pestering our editor, Bob Lansdale, to ‘come clean’ and tell me something about his career as a young press photographer… the equipment that he used, and some of the major stories that he covered in his ten-year association with Federal Newsphotos of Canada.

“As a preliminary, Bob let me have access to his well organized print files of hundreds of national events that he had covered. One particular file caught my attention and took me back forty-five years… but this is Bob’s story, so let him continue as he reminisced with me.

“’Press photography’, recalls Bob, ‘has come a long way since the early days of flash powder and glass plates when it was a rarity to capture action and an instant of history. Today [c2000] the press boys klack off a full roll of 35mm film with their Nikons and motor drives so that every instant is covered; their built-in mini-strobes keeping pace with the camera’s chattering shutter.

“By the mid 1950’s things had progressed to a higher level but still shy of the technology enjoyed today. In the summer of 1955, I was touring the Canadian Forces Bases in Germany as a photo journalist for a Toronto press agency, Federal Newsphotos.

“I received an urgent message to drop everything and head for Calais, France to join the Marilyn Bell crew as she made ready to become, at age 17, the youngest person to swim the English Channel. The swim was sponsored by the Toronto Telegram and when I arrived I was received with cool reservation as assignments in Toronto usually identified me with the rival Toronto Star.

“When the Star refused to make use of me (they had their own men on the scene) a deal was worked out for me to act as backup to the official photographer, Jack Judges, a veteran lensman for the Tely.” …

[In those days, the Tely (Telegram) was the more conservative of the three main dailies in the big smoke – we read the Tely daily and my grand parents read the Star. Dad occasionally read the Globe …]. Members read all of Bill’s column and saw the many photos contained in the story  in the issue 26-1 pdf file on the free, members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above and at right to join, Email any membership questions to member@phsc.ca.

NB. The post title is a riff on the acclaimed 1988 movie, “The Accidental Tourist” (of course Bill’s story has nothing to do with the movie plot …).

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merrie melodies

Posted on December 12, 2025 by Robert

a kids’ band c1980 – photo is too new to be a collectible

Toronto. As a kid at the movies, Merrie Melodies meant a cartoon short from Warner Bros. This brought to mind another subset of photos for collectors – a section on music.

In November, 2003, we had a talk by a friend of Larry Boccioletti – the late Paul Hoeffler. Paul was a photographer of jazz musicians, and an SPBQ singer with Larry.

While his photos date back to mid last century, they are also a bit too recent for collectors. They do bring to mind a ‘musical’ sub-category for old photos. Paul was a graduate of the college at Rochester. He knew many musicians performing across the lake, sometimes offering them a ride home after a long night (eg. Billie Holiday).

Another photographer of symphonies is member Wayne Gilbert, whose photographs are far too recent for consideration by collectors in spite of their charm.

But it is never too soon to begin collecting ‘future’ collectibles …

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November 2025 PHSC News 25-11

Posted on December 11, 2025 by Robert

Nov 2025 PHSC News cover – click icon to see newsletter

Toronto. Wow! What a snazzy cover! Christmas is on the horizon and The old ad should make Kodak blush with pride. This 17 page issue is a delight to the eye. Editor Gunn out did himself on this fine issue!

Amongst other things in this issue, is a fine article by Sam Carpick on the discovery and restoration of a rare “hockey stick” Leica found in a local antique market. Anytime a Leica went back to the factory for repairs or updates, the “hockey stick was replaced automatically with the newer infinity stop making such Model A Leicas rather rarer than usual.

Another sober must read article is David Bridge’s cautionary tale on potential damage from older electronic flash units and somewhat newer cameras (Why do we need the red circle).

Click on the icon of the cover at left to snag a copy. Like all issues this year, issue 11 is a delight to read and see!

Issue 25-11 has the familiar eye-grabbing layout and quality in images and text we have come to expect from Mr Gunn. As an all volunteer operation, the PHSC relies on its volunteers, especially those with envious talents like those shown  here!

Click here for a copy of 25-11 or visit NEWSLETTER above for this and all other issues. Do you prefer a personal copy (notice sent directly to your in-box)? Just email news@phsc.ca and be added to our MailChimp list.

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space shots

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Robert

the first photo from space? courtesy of NASA

Toronto. Hey! You photo collectors out there. I know space shots are too new for your consideration at this time. BUT think ahead and start looking for photos taken beyond earth.

In 2022, an American auction house, Rago Wright LLC in Chicago, sold an 8×10 photographic print of what is arguably the first extraterrestrial photograph (verified by NASA) for $3,750.00 US. It was taken aboard the Friendship 7 by John Glenn using an Ansco Autoset and Kodak colour negative film.

The write-up on the Rago Wright web site is: “One of the first and extremely rare photographs captured by John Glenn in full color from Friendship 7, the first manned American spacecraft to orbit the Earth. 

“John Glenn was the first human being to carry a still camera into space. The suborbital missions of Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom prepared the way for the first orbital flight. On 20 February 1962 John Glenn became the first American to circle the Earth making three orbits in his Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft. He also became the first human being to photograph Earth from space using a hand-held 35mm Ansco Autoset (modified Minolta) camera and Eastman Color Negative Film 5250.

“The malfunction of his spacecraft’s automatic control system during the second orbit limited Glenn’s opportunities to make use of his camera. Nevertheless, he did manage to document his time in space and snapped this view looking northwest of the cloud-covered Atlantic Ocean on the third orbit of Friendship 7. Over the Atlantic on the third orbit, Glenn photographed an overcast region to the northwest and patterns of scattered clouds in the foreground.”

My thanks to George Dunbar. George read an article in the Nov 29/30 weekend NY Times  (print edition) about this and other rare photos. Unfortunately on line, the NY Times uses a pay wall so  a subscription is necessary before even a single article can be read.

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the napalm girl in the news …

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Robert

who took this photo of the napalm girl back in 1972?

Toronto. The Vietnamese child photographed in 1972 showing the horrors of  napalm now lives in the GTA. Recently, as noted in many papers such as the Globe and Mail here and the Guardian in the UK, a recent video on Netflix refutes who took the photograph. According to Netflix, “We have to be able to ask difficult questions’: who really took the iconic Napalm Girl photo?”

The Guardian precedes its article with the statement “A controversial Netflix documentary follows an investigation into the truth behind one of the most important wartime photos ever taken”.

Read the Guardian article and see which Vietnamese photographer is said to have recorded the sad event. My thanks to PHSC member George Dunbar who phoned to tell me about the Globe article. Unfortunately, the Globe hides its articles behind a pay wall. The Guardian does not.

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one rare bird redux …

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Robert

a rare Canon NS

Toronto. A few days back on Nov 29th, 2025,  I posted a note about “a couple of rare birds“, the cover shot for issue 25-5.  In the following issue, 26-1 editor Lansdale notes an e-mail from Paul Nelson, up Ottawa way, who snapped up the Canon NS.

Our editor Lansdale writes, “Paul Nelson of Carleton Place, Ontario (up near Ottawa) e-mailed us to say that he was surprised but quite delighted to see his camera, the Canon NS, reproduced on the cover of our March/April issue.

“He purchased it a year ago in London while attending a Christie’s auction. Recalls Mr. Nelson, ‘I came back with about 20 cameras including early Leicas and an interesting multi-image plate camera that uses a clock-work motor to move the plate into position. Sheldon Chen is a friend of mine and we had discussed the camera before I left for the auction. As it turns out Sheldon was bidding against me over the phone from Toronto. Heaven knows how much extra that cost me!’

“’I started collecting cameras and photographica about 1971 and have over 600 cameras to this date which includes machine-gun cameras from WW I and II, wood & brass examples, RFDR’s, miniatures and the inevitable folders and boxes. Images cover a wide swath of stereos, cartes, ambrotypes and tintypes.

“‘I’m always looking for unusual cameras as I eventually hope to set up a camera museum here in my home town. I’m proud to be a member of the society as it’s nice to know that I’m not the only crazy camera collector out there’”.

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a timely canal and lock

Posted on December 7, 2025 by Robert

Gallop Canal c1890 – ” Clearing a channel of a sunken hulk”

Toronto. As  youth, the news of creation of the St Lawrence Seaway was big news. As usual, the USA declined to pay for construction or host part of the project, but happily made use of the Seaway once completed. The idea was to open ALL the upper great lakes to the ocean for larger vessels.  The Seaway was built entirely in Canada with towns moved as necessary.

What I didn’t know was that this was all done over century earlier with the Lachine canal in Montreal and the Welland [one time home of  founder, photographer and president, Larry Boccioletti]  and Galop canals in Ontario opening the upper great lakes to Montreal and eventually the ocean.

The late Bob Wilson wrote a brief illustrated article for issue 25-5 titled “Upper Entrance Work Galop(s) Canal… 1889-1897”. Bob’s brief text is printed here: “The original series of locks which allowed ships to travel from Montreal to the Upper Great Lakes were built over a period of 26 years, commencing after 1825 when the original Lachine Canal was completed, and ending in 1851 when the Iroquois-Galop lock was finished.

“As soon as the system was in operation, it became obvious that it needed to be expanded, so over the next fifty years the entire system was upgraded. These photographs show the construction activities on one of the lock sites – the upper entrance to the Galop(s) Canal, just east of Prescott, near the town of Iroquois, on the St. Lawrence River.

“These photographs are all from one album of 47 prints. The photographer or publisher is not noted, but presumably it was put together as a progress report by an engineering firm that worked on the construction.

The photographs are all cyanotypes – the type of photograph that an engineering firm would use due to the ease of processing.

Members viewed all Bob’s images plus other article in the issue 25-5 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above and at right to join. Email member@phsc.ca with any questions.

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magic moments ..

Posted on December 6, 2025 by Robert

the late Robert Gutteridge with his book ‘Magic Moments’

Toronto. Most of us have fond memories of visiting a movie house as a kid and cheering on the ‘hero(s)’ as they thundered across the screen.

Member Robert Gutteridge was our resident movie expert of the day. In January 2000,  his book titled “Magic Moments” was published. The book covers the first two decades of movies here in the big smoke (1894-1914). Bob was a teacher, movie creator, hardware collector, speaker at our meetings, writer, and participant in our fairs, displaying unique movie gear along with François LeMai of Montreal, another serious collector of movie gear.

I wrote the odd book review for the journal, including Bob’s book when it was first released: “Robert Gutteridge is an educator in visual art and film, collector of motion picture apparatus and optical toys, a filmmaker, and a member of both the Movie Machine Society and the Photographic Historical Society of Canada.

“I first met Robert Gutteridge at one of our photo fairs; later, he was a guest speaker at a Toronto meeting. Along with his submission for a PHSC Publication Grant, Robert provided a short extract from his book-in-progress. I read the extract and decided then and there to order a copy of his history of the early years of moving pictures in Toronto.

“He is a natural storyteller, making the dry historical writings come alive. The copy was delivered last night (early in 2000) –what a great book! I spent hours browsing through Magic Moments, and I was intrigued to read more the next day during breaks and lunch.

“The book is the culmination of two decades of research into early cinema, especially of the technology and films.” …

Members read all of the book review in the 25-5 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. Not a member (yet)?  See above and at right to join. Questions can be sent to member@phsc.ca. PS – Bob’s book, while long out of print, is still available as a used copy (see ‘Magic Moments’ link above).

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