quartet

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Robert

Four Ladies (generations?) with a drawer of photos

Toronto.  Okay, all you image collectors, here is some food for thought. For the cover of issue 24-5, editor Bob Lansdale used a photograph courtesy of Robert Wilson. The photo shows four ladies and a drawer full of photos taken around the late 1800s.

Bob Lansdale describes this photo as follows, “Possibly four generations, this is a curious portrait as four ladies shuffle through a drawer of old photographs sending a symbolic message to the recipient of the picture. Alas, the charcoal-grey mount with embossed ivy-leaf frame, c. 1895-1900 bears no identity of photographer nor sitters.”

Looking at the four and their approximate ages, it indeed looks like four generations of women. Do you have any multi-generational images like this in your collection? As to this specific photograph, can you identify the studio? the date? the people? If so, drop me an email at info@phsc.ca possibly with the reason for your opinion.

To add to your collection, drop in at the PHSC EVENTS (see right) for 2025. Next up is our Fall Fair set for October 19th at the usual spot. Details and a poster will be posted here closer to the date.

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sup-pose

Posted on July 20, 2025 by Robert

baby posing chair – photo by Bob Lansdale

Toronto. Our 1998 Fall Fair offered many rarely seen items from a by-gone era. One of these was a unique portrait helper, shown here at left, which was best described in the photo cut-line: “Every photo studio needed one of these baby posing chairs to keep the child upright and still. Wire restrainer was hidden by flowing robes.”

How often we have seen old child portraits not realizing why the baby’s costume was ‘fluffed’ out.

Speaking of fairs, our next 2025 event will be our Fall Fair. A poster and details will go up on this site closer to the October 19th date. Hint: think Trident, Evans, Islington … See PHSC EVENTS at right for the events and dates (some events have already been held …

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browsing …

Posted on July 19, 2025 by Robert

Browsing Through Our Exchanges

Toronto. The late Bob Lansdale as our editor worried that exchange journals sat unnoticed in our storage. Certainly I did not know about them until I became an executive member. At the time such journals were given limited circulation.

Bob came up with the idea of taking a summary of selected journals and featuring the summaries in a new column called, “Browsing Our Exchanges” always ending with an urging to ‘see our librarian” to borrow a copy.

In issue 24-4, the column was written by Ev Roseborough. He began the column as follows, “Zeiss Historica, journal of the Zeiss Historica Society, Fall ‘98, focuses on theatre glasses and special telescopes. Biographies of Dr. Erhardt Glatzel, Dr. Kurt Michel and Wolfgang F. Jacobi will interest photo historians.

“Viewfinder, the Leica Historical Society quarterly, third quarter 1998, contains an important article on the [Leitz] Stemar by Harold Tichenor of North Vancouver B.C. Stereo enthusiasts take note. Walter Kluck, who was V.P. of Leitz Midland ON, and his role in saving the Leica M Series is told by Rolf Fricke.” …

These and the many other summaries in this issue’s column are available in the pdf file for 24-4 on the free members-only DVD/memory stick. To join, see ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above or “Membership’ at right. Questions? Email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

And remember, we host a number of events for collectors of cameras, images, photo history, etc. See PHSC EVENTS at right for our 2025 events. Oh yes, and our librarian has morphed into our archivist (David Bridge – a.k.a. Journal co-editor) these days.

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time, gentlemen …

Posted on July 18, 2025 by Robert

c1900 Kodak 1A camera

Toronto. When dry plates came along, cameras required a shutter to snap a fraction of a second exposure in sunlight. The late Stan White picked up a Kodak 1A along the way and experimented with it. The Bulb setting allowed the shutter to remain open as long as the release was depressed. The ‘time’ or Instantaneous setting was about 1/25th of a second – great for use on bright, sunny, afternoons.

Stan talks about his find as follows, “My interest is not in collecting antique cameras as much as finding out how well they fulfill their intended purpose. I picked up the Kodak the No. 1A Folding Pocket Kodak Camera in an antique mall.

“This is the last of a series of pull-out front, roll film cameras that appeared in 1897 and went through numerous minor changes until it was discontinued after 1905. The 1A was enlarged from the original 2-1/4” x 3-1/4” to take 2-1/2” x 4-1/4” exposures – particularly adaptable to broad landscape views… and to portraiture as Kodak literature states.

“My camera was fully functional but needed a couple of hours clean up to bring it to “excellent” condition. The construction is unusual: the interior is machined from hardwood while the body itself is made of aluminum, covered in black seal grain leather and completed with a red bellows.

“Simple spring-loaded scissors hold the pull-out front rigidly in place. The two viewfinders are simple mirror type and accurate. There is no tripod bush but the wings on the front standard allow the camera to be set down horizontal on a flat surface. Used vertically there is an adjustable notched rod that supports the front.” …

Members of course read all of Stan’s article in the issue 24-4 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/memory stick. You can join too. It’s easy! Follow ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above or ‘Membership’ at right (depends on how you pay). Questions? Email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

Visit one of our 2025 Events (see right) and you may find a 1A for your collection (or perhaps another camera, lens, book, etc.). Up next is our fall camera fair in October!

NB. Today I’m a piano and the ivories need a small touchup too …

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pretty, pretty, pretty …

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Robert

a c1890s fashion portrait by
J J  Millikin of Toronto

Toronto. … is what our budgie said when it wasn’t irritating our youngest by calling out her name over and over.

In November, 1998 our speaker was Joan Severa. Her topic was “Dating Your Images”. As you can see from the photo at left, in the late 1800s people ‘dressed to the nines’ to have a likeness captured.

An offshoot of this practice formed the subject of Joan’s talk – and book. Fashion in portraits could help date a photograph as fashion changed frequently – especially ladies fashions.

Ev(?) wrote in issue 24-4 the article, “How Fashion Influenced Photography in the 1890s”. The article begins, “The presentation by Joan Severa at the November meeting (see Toronto Notes page 12) in which she outlined the changes of fashion found in photographs, recalled the frontispiece illustration (at left) used in The Canadian Photographic Journal.

“This was at a time when photographic prints were still inserted in each issue as a prime example of the photographic art. In reality it was pure advertising to promote the qualities of photographic papers and plates that were being offered on the market.

“This illustration [at left], photographed by J.J. Millikin of Toronto and printed on Brown &  Palmer’s Malmedy Paper, shows a young lady in a gown with leg-o-mutton sleeves; a very pretty picture in deep unfaded tones but with the image turned sideways in the journal, and the nose pointing most awkwardly to the ground.

“The June 1895 issue carried an Editorial Chat by George W. Gilson in which the explanation for many such portraits was given:”. …

Members read what Geo Gilson had to say in the issue 24-4 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. Get yours by joining today and see all of this article and many, many more. To join, see ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above, or ‘Membership at right. Questions? Email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

PS. See our 2025 EVENTS list to the right of this page and come out to see what you can add to your collection!

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… even included the sink …

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Robert

The late Paul Hoeffler carted off this six foot fibre glass darkroom sink at the 1998 fall fair

Toronto. Next up in our 2025 events will be the fall fair on October 19th at Trident Hall. In issue 24-4, at our 1998 fall fair chairman Larry Boccioletti had this to say, “Larry Boccioletti reports that good weather and plenty of publicity brought happy faces and an attendance of 1320 paying customers to this year’s Fall Fair.

“Some 151 tables were sold with six additional tables being given free to camera clubs to promote their objectives. A lot of equipment exchanged hands with some very rare items being spotted by the experts and photo aficionados.

“Now it’s time to start planning for the coming Spring Sale scheduled for Sunday March 21st 1999 at the same location, the Queensway Lions Club, 3 Queensway Lions Court, Toronto. There may be fewer tables available so it’s imperative to reserve early. Call Mark Singer, Spring Fair Chairman”.

The article had a large photo essay as well courtesy of our editor, the late Bob Lansdale. The days of big shows at the Queensway Lions Club are long gone, as is the Queensway Lions Club as a large show venue.

Today we run our fairs at the Trident Hall at Evans and Islington. Enjoy the summer, and get ready for this year’s fall fair! A great opportunity to enhance your collection and move those less desirable (to you) goodies.

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two eyes are better than one …

Posted on July 15, 2025 by Robert

John Young’s 1898 Premo Model A Stereo camera

Toronto. In issue 24-4, the late Bill Belier continued to publish his column, “A Treasure From My Collection”. As you may know, Bill spent much of his career in photography. In the early days after WW2, as a sales representative, he made many friends including John Young, owner of this remarkably fine example  of a stereo camera.

Bill’s column begins, “John Young became a collector of fine cameras not necessarily by design, but by circumstance. In a way, you might say that he was forced into it!

“John was not only “Young” in name, but in age and experience. He opened Young’s Cameras in 1947 in a low rent area on Queen Street, east of Parliament [Toronto]. He learned as he went along, never losing sight of his goal to eventually locate on Toronto’s “main drag” – Yonge Street.

“In 1953 he moved to an uptown area just north of Bloor. After 20 years the property was expropriated and he found a downtown location at 352 Yonge St. (just north of Dundas) where he would remain until his retirement in 1992.

“Over the years he attracted a loyal following of regular customers that appreciated the unhurried atmosphere of the store and the knowledgeable staff that he employed.” …

Of course members read all of Bill’s column in the issue 24-4 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. Not a member? Just see above (MEMBERSHIP) or at right (Membership). Questions? Drop Lilianne an email at member@phsc.ca.

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a rash decision

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Robert

Kodak introduces its version of the Instant Camera

Toronto.  Have you ever heard of a Kodak Instant camera? No? Not surprising, since Kodak was sued by Polaroid and lost the toss. The Kodak Instants (in any condition) were bought back by Kodak for a small sum after the 1986 loss.

In issue 24-4, collector Peter Venema (Caledon, ON) wrote an article titled, “Kodak Instant Cameras – ‘Made in Canada'” (copyright 1998).  Peter’s article is quite lengthy and well illustrated. He begins, “Kodak instant cameras are not a common sight. Born out of a desire to secure a part of the mediocrity market of the instant picture, they appeared on the scene in 1976.

“Kodak had long been aware that Polaroid was doing well with its sales of instant cameras and instant film. The instant cameras were Polaroid’s lifeline with some 90% of its annual gross revenues deriving from it.

“During the period that Kodak was in the instant camera market (entering in 1976 and being forced to withdraw early in 1986), Kodak produced over 16 million instant cameras but its annual revenues from the instant cameras barely made a ripple in its finances. It never represented more than 2% of the company’s annual income.

“Polaroid produced its first instant camera in 1948 and despite rumours that the process was offered for sale to Kodak, nothing came of it. In the 1950s and 60s Kodak continued to do well with its line of films while Polaroid gained a steady increase in its niche market.

“Several events influenced Kodak to alter its decision and jump into the production of instant cameras. By the mid 1960s Polaroid had a stable market in which the sales of its films were higher than the sales of the cameras. This was a good indication of success so it did not go unnoticed in Rochester. As well, market research indicated that an instant camera bearing the Kodak name would be well received by the consumer.

“However, any Kodak instant camera project that might have been in the planning stage at that time fell victim to Kodak’s own success. In 1963 Kodak introduced the Instamatic camera with its 126 film format. Its run-away success shoved the concept of a Kodak instant camera onto the backburner for almost a decade.” …

Members eagerly read all of Peter’s article in the issue 24-4 pdf file on the free member’s only DVD/thumb drive. You can join or renew by following ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above or ‘Membership’ at right. Email any questions to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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describing those old collectibles consistently

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. a big headache to camera collectors was describing an old camera in way that let a prospective buyers figure out the value when sight-unseen. Our exchange member, the LHSA (Leica Historical Society of America) had a particular challenge since the value of many Leica models depended on their condition as well as their rarity. To this end the folks at LHSA printed the chart reproduced in issue 24-4.

Screenshot

Members saw the chart full size in the issue 24-4 pdf on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See above ‘MEMBERSHIP’ or at right ‘Membership’ to join or renew. Questions may be sent by email to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

Need a Leica for your collection? You may find one today at our famous annual summer trunk sale.

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nightmare at the fair …

Posted on July 12, 2025 by Robert

the late Ev Roseborough – photo by Robert Lansdale

Toronto. Our one time journal editor, the late Ev Roseborough was great story teller. Ev ran his own photography studio and being  a risk taker in the business, he had a wealth of fascinating tales.

For editor Bob Lansdale’s issue 24-4, Ev chose a CNE related tale which begins, “This is a continued story; that is, it lasted five days. For my part, it was a fiasco to end all fiascos, and believe me I have run into some dandies!

“August was always a hectic time of the year with the Canadian National Exhibition [CNE] due to open during the last week, to say nothing of Christmas booklets and advertising either in planning or production stages. To make it worse many decision makers were still away on holidays.

“I was fortunate in having an open contract with a large Canadian display firm that was operating around-the-clock to complete sizeable displays for the major motor car manufacturers, oil giants, bakeries and even pickle manufacturers. Although operating outside this company, I was their ‘photographic arm’, supplying photomurals, translite transparencies, slide sequences and almost any other form of photography of which you might think. Most of these jobs were repeat annual affairs.

“The ‘nightmare’ assignment was from a Canadian carpet manufacturer, which had just supplied the Royal York Hotel with a new specially-woven floor covering for their huge lobby. This prestigious achievement was to be the backdrop for a tremendous product exhibit occupying hundreds of square feet in the old Manufacturers’ Building, which has since burned down.” …

Members read all of Ev’s tale -including its surprise ending – in the issue 24-4 pdf on the free members only DVD/thumb drive. Not a member? See Membership above and at right to join. Questions can be sent to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

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