t’row da book at him!

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Robert

Eder’s History of Photography. Dover Reprint c1978

Toronto. Our society was founded in 1974 during the rapid growth of Photographic Historical Societies –  essentially like-minded folk who collected cameras and possibly old  photographs. Over time ranks swelled as people interested in the history of photography joined, followed by professional photographers interested in their roots, studios, etc.

One of the means to learn about a topic was books, One of the early books on the history of the art was Josef Maria Eder’s opus whose THIRD edition was published in 1905. Dover Publishing in New York published quality reprints of a number of books on photography. Included was Eder’s book in 1978.

While Eder’s work has a European slant, books by the Gernsheims and Beaumont Newhall counter balance it with a newer North American basis. (I met Helmut Gernsheim down in Rochester the fall of 1982 at the PhotoHistory V symposium).

As the interest in collecting cameras and images grew, a wealth of other collector oriented books were published, and fairs and auctions dedicated to the art flourished. Besides books, you can expand your knowledge and understanding not only of the history, but the processes and outcomes of photography through lectures, association with others of similar interests, attending to photographic auctions, and fairs, etc..

The value of old cameras and photographs increased as people became aware of their history, turnover of items from one collector to another, etc. The shift from chemical (film) to digital technology near the end of last century was a seismic shift resulting in a drop in interest (film) and perceived value as peoples’ interests shifted to computers, cell phones, digital television, etc.

Those interested in both the old film technology and the newer digital gear still swarm our events (see PHSC EVENTS at right) and join our society (see MEMBERSHIP above and at right).  For questions related to the events, email our president Clint at fair@phsc.ca and for membership questions email our membership secretary Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

 

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blink of an eye

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Robert

a c1895 UNICUM shutter on a POCO camera. Included is a Rapid Rectilinear lens.

Toronto. Up until dry plates became common, camera shutters were simply unnecessary. Timing could be easily set by holding something like a dark hat over the lens then briefly removing and replacing it.

Once dry plates and later film became established, sub-second exposures in bright light became common and shutters began to appear on cameras. A typical shutter is the UNICUM shown at left. The shutter usually surrounded a lens like the Rapid Rectilinear shown here.

This shutter was provided on a c1895 POCO glass plate camera (sans the name button). Other versions of the UNICUM are engraved as ‘Bausch & Lomb’ around the speed setting dial. UNICUM shutters appeared from a decade or two before 1900 to a couple of decades after. The Bausch & Lomb engraving showed up shortly before the year 1900 as far as I can tell. The linked page in line one above includes a Rochester Camera & Supply Co. catalogue (POCO link on the linked page. That link is repeated for your convenience).

Visit our PHSC EVENTS (see list at right). Lots of items for your collection will be shown – possibly a POCO camera or a UNICUM shutter!  Next up is our spring auction on May 4th – in about three weeks from now.

 

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let’s hear it for Exec #57 via ZOOM

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Robert

PHSC President
Clint Hryhorijiw

Toronto. We seem to be zooming along electronically these days! Meeting #57 via ZOOM moved along smartly. Below is a screen grab of the executive board in lively discussion.

Treasurer John Morden sent out his report before the meeting with no significant changes at the meeting.

All PHSC EVENTS for this year now have dates and locales (see at right). As event dates approach, a poster such as that for the May 4th auction will be pinned to the top of this website.

Newsletter wise, editor Patrick Gunn  issued 25-3 at month end again with very positive reaction by all. Well done Patrick!

John Allman, our  O3C representation, noted that the travel seminar dinner was sold out but the seminar still has room.

Membership Secretary Lilianne Schneider joined in on the lively discussion on means to distribute the back issues files and it was agreed to move from the 40 volumes of Photographic Canadiana and more on DVD to using a thumb drive instead as of this month. The DVD remains optional on request from members as long as the supply lasts.

Note: Regarding membership (new and renew) our journal is in ‘pdf format only’, so an email address is essential. A MailChimp notification is sent to all member emails when each journal pdf is produced and uploaded.

Remember, if  you have UNSUBSCRIBED to our MailChimp list, you will not receive notification nor Photographic Canadiana nor other info. MailChimp does not permit me to reinstate a specific email address once unsubscribed by the owner. Renewal of such addresses are only possible via a form, not provided on our site.

Also, if you change email addresses, please tell us – MailChimp will tag the old address as CLEANED (they cannot add your new address automatically). If you are a member but HAVE NOT seen any notification for Photographic Canadiana since you registered or renewed, please email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

Celio Barreto is investigating new presentations and presenters. Suggestions are always welcome. Email Celio directly at program@phsc.ca. It was agreed that this and future payments for a ZOOM licence will be directly from the treasurer to ZOOM via PayPal.

Social media editor, Ms Markovic provided a brief update showing an encouraging growth in followers. She welcomes post suggestions and content to help expand our presence.

some executive members discussing a motion before voting

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calling all photographers …

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Robert

a short lived Tom Thumb Camera Radio post WW2

Toronto. A fitting post title for this novel c1948 camera/radio.

Editor Bob Lansdale (who ensures these bright crisp images) writes about his cover shot for issue 23-2, “The Tom Thumb Camera Radio, produced by the Automatic Radio Mfg. Co. of Boston ca. 1948 combines a plastic reflex novelty camera with a 4-tube portable radio–all in a wooden body with grey and red exterior.

“Member S. Chen has shown this gem at Toronto meetings. Radio controls and pop-up viewing hood are on the top while camera lenses, shutter and radio speaker are on the front.

“As seen in the cover photo, the front panel swings down to load 127 film or service the radio.” Bob’s write-up includes help from the McKeown’s Camera Guide available back around the fall of 1997.

Back in the late 40s, all radios used vacuum tubes – and either AC or batteries. Transistors and integrated circuits had not yet been created and marketed. By its very nature, the device was heated by the enclosed tubes – if you wanted music with your photos …

Be sure to visit our 2025 events (under PHSC EVENTS at right). You may not see a Tom Thumb Camera Radio but you will see lots of items, some which just may suit your collection!

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a secret revealed …

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Robert

a means to assist the press if the paper and card separate – use a bit of cotton!

Toronto. A few days ago I did a post on a small press for photographs (issue 23-1). It was accompanied by the following from Robert  Wilson, “During the long period that cartes de visite and cabinet prints were in vogue many variations of the cameo portrait were offered as an elegant form of photographic art.

“The simplest technique required only a printed mat surrounding the central vignetted image in an oval shape or in a rectangle with rounded corners. The effect achieved its true cameo style when the surface of the print was made slightly convex by means of a die and press, causing the central area to bulge forth in low profile.

“With most prints the surface remained firmly attached to its supporting card stock, but others may be found soft and pliable. A recent find has revealed the secret as the print began to peel away from its support. There in the inner pocket was a thin swatch of fibrous cotton, 2 1/2 inches in length, with roughly torn edges and even included the odd cotton seed.”

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steady there, lad

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Robert

a novel adjustable stand allows a good likeness to be taken on the slow media of the day

Toronto. For a large part of photographic history, the media was so abysmally slow a tripod was necessary plus a means to steady subjects. To  this end, Charlie Kruger offered a light, handy support adjustable for a realistic pose.

One was located by Dr Robert Wilson who wrote an article for issue 23-1 back in 1997. The article is in his “Pages from the Past Series” column and begins, “Portrait photographers in the mid nineteenth century needed a headrest in their studio to ensure that the sitter would be able to remain still for the duration of the exposure. Most of these headrests were fairly heavy devises, with a large cast iron base often seen on the floor behind portraits of men; women’s long skirts usually covered any sign of the headrest.

“However, the 15 January 1869 issue of Humphrey’s Journal (Volume XX, No 17, pages 261-263) had a report of this light weight stand patented by Mr Charles E. Kruger:

“It is a fact, perhaps too little known among the public, that as much as photography has of late been benefited by the aid of science, it requires, nevertheless, a great deal more care and practice than one would think off (sic). This we state particularly in regard to the right placing and the securing of the proper position of the person, of whom a photograph is to be taken.

“Not only is the part of the operation generally attended by a great loss of time, but it is also the source of failures which would undoubtedly not occur, if use was made of a proper apparatus, which in being placed behind the person, would allow a suitable hold and support of the different parts of the body, no matter what position they assume.” …

Members are able to read the rest of Bob’s article, and more by opening the issue 23-1 pdf file on the free members only DVD (or as of  this month, thumb drive). To join see MEMBERSHIP above or at right. Questions, Email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

Join us at our 2025 events (listed under PHSC EVENTS at right) and see what you can find for your collection. First up is the May 4th Auction followed by the PHSC Spring fair, trunk sale, and fall events.

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… brand new light …

Posted on April 12, 2025 by Robert

modern image by Henry VanderSpek in current Toronto exhibition “Urban Scrawl”

Toronto. Collecting items and reading history about our favourite past time is a pleasure to us aficionados. A big part of our art uses natural light to make a permanent image from nature. In fact an early book on photography was called “The Pencil of Nature” reflecting the use of light to create what the eye could see.

And our favourite editor, Rita Godlevskis, not only creates both the hard copy and digital versions of PhotoEd magazine, but also this elaborate newsletter (?) about forthcoming issues and more.

Even if your passion is photo history or collecting photographic tools and images, not practicing the art (film or digital), her newsletter will intrigue you – especially in what the art can do today!

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shades of 1997

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Robert

Scenes from 1997 auction by Bob Lansdale

Toronto. In 1997, editor Bob Lansdale took the ‘bull by the horns’ and did his own photography of our events for the journal.

This quartet of photos was featured in issue 23-1 to record the auction held that spring. In the journal, the cut line below the photo names the key people shown and the various items up for bidding or already won.

The related article by editor Lansdale states. “The PHSC Annual Auction proved again to be a success with members as they bid for the wide variety of items offered. Some of the items were donations to the Society from which the monies, gained, will be applied toward bursaries and scholarships.

“A short list of successful bids gives the following: Cambo camera 4×5 – $400; Imagon portrait lens in shutter, 300mm – $410; enlarger 6×7 – $300; Nikon FE – $325; Rolleiflex – $375; Leitz projector – $250; Seneca camera 5×7 – $200; Drymount press 11×14 – $175; Burke & James monorail camera 4×5 – $175; Hansa bellows for 35mm – $175; A box of film holders – $160; Voigtlander Bessamatic/case – $155; K20 Aerial camera – $120.”

Like in 1997, we once again feature our auction (spring auction this time, not annual as in 1997 and open to all comers not only members) – a success for everyone over nearly half a century!

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pressing out from the masses

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Robert

an embosser for prints

Toronto. Once studios took off, savvy owners tried ways to differentiate their services from the pack. One way to accomplish this was to use the “McKee’s Cameo, Embossing and Imprint Press” on photographic prints delivered to customers.

Issue 23-1 of our journal shows the little gem. It was offered in 1900 for $12.00US. The press made “instant embossing or imprinting without injury to the finest burnish or enamel” as the advertisement insisted.

The use of the press to emboss, would raise the face of the photograph and make the subject stand out.

The advertisement suggested that you could, “Hold to your old prices, and get from 50 cents to $2.00 more per dozen for the imprint pictures.” The ad encouraged studios to contact “H.A. Hyatt Photographic Supplies, St Louis, Mo.”. No Canadian supply house or distributor was mentioned.

Our spring events are coming up fast (auction May 4th; fair May 25th). You may fine something to tweak your interest and complement your collection. A poster for each event will be pinned to this site (the auction poster is already up) as received.

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I can hear it coming …

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. … our spring auction (May 4th), of course. See the poster below for times and place. Email Clint at auction@phsc.ca with your questions (poster is jpeg and as such sans links).

poster for the May 4, 2025 PHSC Spring Auction

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