have muscles, can use an Auto Graflex …

Posted on July 20, 2024 by Robert

the famous Auto Graflex c1940 courtesy of Larry Boccioletti

Toronto. Back in late 1986, the late Larry Boccioletti (co-founder and past president of the PHSC) wrote in the “Treasures from my Collection” column about his amazing find of a near perfect ‘Auto Graflex’ camera originally purchased (perhaps used) by the seller in 1940. The camera remains undated but that model was made from 1917-1941.

Here is Larry (Lauro) beginning to discuss his find, “Every collector has a piece that has a special spot in his or her collection, and perhaps a story to go with it. I have several such pieces, of which one of my favourites is a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Auto Graflex with a revolving back.

“The body and mechanics are in excellent condition, but the original lens board has been replaced with a fibre board fitted with an 8” Cooke lens. It is quite obvious from its condition that the camera was rarely used.

“Yard sales have rarely yielded any real gems for my collection. This time was an exception. On my way home from my weekend retreat in Sutton, Ontario, I stopped at a sale on Highway 48 and, as I usually do, asked if there was any photographic equipment for sale.

“I got the usual negative reply from the lady in charge, but she added that her dad, sitting under the tree “over yonder” had an old camera at his place. Naturally I asked the gentleman about his camera. He described it as an “old beast” with a thing on top that unfolded and you looked into it to focus and take the picture. I began to get excited as further questioning confirmed that it was almost certainly a Graflex.”

Back then, members could read the rest of Larry’s story in the hard copy issue of Photographic Canadiana (issue 12-3). Members who joined more recently could see this and other issues on the DVD sent to all members via Canada Post. This DVD includes volumes 1-40 of Photographic Canadiana. It’s easy to join and get your copy of our DVD as a bonus. See the menu item MEMBERSHIP above or the right hand sidebar item on membership and payment through our PayPal account (anyone can use PayPal for payment)

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sitting pretty

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Robert

a c1870 sitting portrait cabinet card looking as crisp as when first made a century and a half ago

Toronto. In the summer of 2005, late editor Bob Lansdale was still busy researching the Chromotype and similar carbon process B&W prints that purported to eliminate the nefarious fading issue that plagued photographs in the mid 1800s.

Shown at left is a beautiful sitting portrait taken by the Lindop and Cooper studio around 1877. This cabinet card is courtesy of Les Jones. Here is Bob Lansdale as he introduces this cover shot for issue 31-1, “We continue our investigation into the carbon process that was hoped would bring an end to the fading of photographic images in the mid-nineteenth century. Samples of the Chromotype and Lambertype print are rarely seen when sleuthing through collections of old carte and cabinet prints despite wide ranging publicity in the photographic press.

“We have here a cabinet-sized Chromotype portrait by Canadian photographers Lindop & Cooper of St. Thomas, Ontario. Facial details and tones are retained over the century since the image is made of non-fading carbon (India Ink).

“See pages 8 to 16 for the full story and images.”

Members of the day read the latest saga of the process in hard copy. More recent members could read this and similar issues on our DVD sent to them via Canada Post. The DVD contains all volumes of Photographic Canadiana from 1 through 40. Not a member? It’s super simple! Follow the menu item above marked ‘MEMBERSHIP’ or follow the right hand sidebar to use a credit card or PayPal.

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stan’s little secret

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Robert

The Dagron camera c1865 for taking Stanhope images – courtesy of GEH

Toronto. The PHSC encourages investigation of photographic history in many ways. In late 2012, we announced our first thesis winner from Ryerson (now TMU). The winner, sol Legault (first name all in lower case as requested). Part One of Mr Legault’s excellent thesis was published as “Making the Invisible Visible – Exhibiting Erotic Stanhopes” in issue 38-4. This was followed by Part Two in the following issue (39-1)

If you are not an image collector, or unsure about Stanhopes, follow the links in an earlier post titled “Dancing with mr Stanhope” – heck, read the earlier post anyway!

The photograph at left is a camera used to make the tiny Stanhope images. The photograph, from Mr Legault’s thesis, is courtesy of GEH. The camera name, Dagron, is that of the Frenchman who first saw the potential in John Dancer’s microscopic images. By the way, the name Stanhope refers to the lens used to view the tiny images.

Members enjoyed reading the thesis in issues 38-4 and 39-1. More recent members could read the pdf versions on the PHSC DVD which covers volumes 1-40 of Photographic Canadiana. Not a member? Well, what are you waiting for? Join today using PayPal – just follow the right hand sidebar. You can alternatively use the above menu item MEMBERSHIP. Once signed up, a DVD will go off to you via Canada Post.

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what on earth is a FLOTEMAR

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Robert

a “Flotemar” (?) camera as photographed by Bob Lansdale

Toronto. The late John Kantymir and his father both collected cameras – some very rare. One camera John came across simply had the name “FLOTEMAR” embossed on its base. No other name or country was indicated. A Google search was as unsuccessful then (2012/13)  as now (2024).

Please note that the photo (at left) was taken by Bob Lansdale and ‘upscaled’ in Topaz Photo AI which still mangles text occasionally as it did here.

Perhaps the camera is German. In German Flote means flute and mar means sea or in English ‘sea flute’. A search on Google for sea flute shows it to be a type of Norwegian recorder copied from German recorders of the day imported by sea, hence ‘sea flute’ in Norwegian. So perhaps our mystery camera is called ‘Recorder’ . Who knows?

Editor Bob Lansdale suggests, “John Kantymir comes up with some weird and wonderful cameras for his “A Treasure from my collection” column but here is a cameras that has completely stumped him.

“With the name Flotemar engraved on a medallion ensconced on the outside bed of this folder, it leads to no data as the company or country of manufacture.

“It is quite a unique camera in its odd shape and its two-part construction; it may be a one-off pre-production model that never went into manufacture. Quite a hefty camera at 3.2 pounds which might have something to do with its non-production.”

The column appears in issue 39-1 of our journal. Members back then read the hard copy version of 39-1. More recently, members can read about this strange camera in the pdf version of 39-1 which appears on our DVD (it covers all volumes of Photographic Canadiana from 1 to 40). And you are STILL not a member? Okay, let the moths loose and follow the menu item “MEMBERSHIP” above, or the PayPal set-up in the right hand sidebar. Once your membership is received, a copy of the DVD will be sent to you by Canada Post.

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a metal miniature camera

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Robert

the Marion Metal Miniature Camera c1885 (bottom of box)

Toronto. Many of us think miniature cameras stem from the 1920s when the Leica was announced but there were many earlier ones. In this case it is a French camera named after Monsieur Marion, and sold around 1885.

The late John Kantymir recounts how he added one of these very rare cameras to his collection, “This camera story has a real twist to it when a gentleman in England bought a trunk full of junk at a boot sale. He paid 50 pounds for the trunk and thought he was taking a risk at getting anything for it. Out of the mess he found an odd metal tube which he thought was a microscope camera. He described it as such when he offered it on eBay.

“In my searches I happened to come across the listing and somehow it just did not sit right in my mind’s eye. I just couldn’t figure it out.

“I was lying in bed wondering about it when all of a sudden it came to me. I had a eureka moment and sat up and yelled “I know what it is!” I really scared the living bejesus out of my wife, Carri who was lying beside me. I was sure it must be a Marion’s Metal Miniature camera built about 1885 when a number of miniature cameras were being introduced to the market.”

Following John’s story is added material in an illustrated article titled “Marion’s Metal Miniature” written by the late  Dr Robert G Wilson, a long standing member of the PHSC.

Members continued on with the story in issue 38-4 that spring (2013). Later members could read the story in the pdf version of 38-4 on their copy of our DVD which includes all volumes 1 through 40 of Photographic Canadiana. You don’t have the hard copy or the DVD? You are not a member? Well, see the MEMBERSHIP menu item above, or the right hand sidebar item on membership using PayPal. Sign-up and the DVD will be sent via Canada Post!

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bulls eye!

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Robert

Production of No. 2 Bulls-Eye Special, 1898 model. Note box with Brownell name – courtesy of the F. B. Mehlenbacher collection

Toronto. In issue 38-3 we reproduce Frank B. Mehlenbacher’s well researched tale of the world’s largest camera manufacturer and its connection with Kodak in Rochester. The manufacturer, Brownell, was born in Ontario and moved to the States when he was 11 years old.

The fine article begins, “For the first two decades after the founding of the Eastman Dry Plate Company, the photographic equipment that the firm marketed was manufactured under contract by Frank A. Brownell of Rochester, New York.

“In this article his grandson Frank Brownell Mehlenbacher reviews the business relationship of his grandfather and George Eastman. Before signing his exclusive contract with Eastman, Brownell manufactured a large variety of studio and professional cameras. Mr. Mehlenbacher has drawn on his personal collection of surviving corporate records and photographs to give us this view of an early Rochester industrialist.

“He also briefly highlights several of the early cameras manufactured by Frank A. Brownell and sold under the Eastman name, cameras that contributed significantly to the popularity and growth of photography during the infancy of the Eastman business. We are grateful to Mr. Mehlenbacher for writing this article.”

Members thoroughly enjoyed this article in issue 38-3 dated December 2012. More recently members read this issue on our DVD which includes all journal issues from volume 1 to volume 40. You say you are not a member? Well that is so easy to solve! Go to the right sidebar or up to the MEMBERSHIP menu item and join today! Your DVD will be sent promptly via Canada Post.

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postcard from the edge … of summer

Posted on July 14, 2024 by Robert

PHSC President
Clint Hryhorijiw

Toronto. Summer is here again and your executive will be off for a bit of a rest after our last executive meeting held Wednesday, July 3, 2024 (meeting #49 by ZOOM).

You will notice that the postcard below predates the popularity of colour (though some short lived colour processes were already available). Close examination shows the postcard to be a black and white photograph hand coloured. Its estimated date is around 1900. The station at Allandale was GTR until 1922 when it became CNR as part of the transition of the GTR to Canadian government ownership.

Regretfully, our PHSC newsletter has been put off until the fall session. If you would prefer your own copy, just drop me an email at news@phsc.ca. If you aren’t already on our MailChimp list, I will add your email.

Membership Secretary Lilianne Schneider reminds you to RENEW NOW to ensure you are notified when the next issue of Photographic Canadiana  is ready (this month). See the MEMBERSHIP menu above and/or our PayPal button at right. *Note that as of 2022, our membership year ends December 31st*. Also, as of 2024, membership fees are $35/$100 1 yr/3 yr Canadian regardless of the member location (one of the perks of pdf).

There are some program presenters being arranged for this coming fall. The meeting topic, speaker, date, and connection process will be posted here when available.

Plans are underway for the fall fair and the fall auction. Details will be posted here when available. There will be a small admission fee increase this fall for the fair. The anticipated date of the fall auction is a weekend day in November.

Co-editor David Bridge and partner Louise Freyburger  plan to issue 50-1 of the PHSC journal late this month (July 2024). They apologize for the delay which is due to other commitments. Our journal is in ‘pdf format only’. Each issue is available for download after the MailChimp notification. Important: 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 that specific email address. If you change email addresses, please tell us.  Members who  HAVE NOT seen any notification for the journal since registering/renewing can email me at info@phsc.ca for assistance.

Our social media editor reports some active discussion over her Fred Herzog article.

As a non-profit society, we always need volunteers. If you feel you can help in any capacity, email me at info@phsc.ca and I will advise our president. Meanwhile, as they say, see you in September …

Allandale Ontario Station c1906 or earlier and boating on Kempenfeldt bay (the ‘d’ was dropped mid last century). This is a slight crop of the original by The Valentine & Sons’ Publishing Co. 100942

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pre dating the reflex

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Robert

A Ross Portable Divided Camera from the late John Kantymir collection

Toronto. Camera makers could design a camera that used a lens to view and a second one to capture the scene, but did not know how to name the design. The term “divided camera’ fell flat and the term ‘reflex’ or ‘twin lens’ took over.

In his column “A Treasure from my Collection”, the late John Kantymir features a Ross Portable Divided Camera, made to improve upon then current designs.

John begins his story, “This camera is one of the early reflex cameras to come on the market. Its name even denotes that early part of photographic history as they used the name “Divided Camera” before the word “reflex” came into common use for such cameras. The name did not last as it was later designated the “Portable Twin Lens Camera.”

“Many people visit my coin shop in Niagara Falls and it was through one such American tourist that I learned of an 80 year old gentleman in Pennsylvania who was clearing out his home. I soon made contact and negotiated a price for this late nineteenth-century beauty. I bought it about four years ago, a year after my Dad died. I’m sure he would have been proud to add it to our collection.

“The camera is horizontal in format so it was designed for scenics rather that portraiture. In Michael Auer’s book The Illustrated History of the Camera, he describes the later model as “designed especially for lady photographers, being light and reasonably compact when the front was retracted and the double doors closed.” I think it was easier to look through the reflex viewer rather than fumble under a photographer’s dark cloth and mess up a lady’s hatted coiffure.”

Members continued the story in issue 38-3 of our journal, or more recently on the DVD mailed to all members. The DVD covers all Photographic Canadiana volumes from 1 through 40. Not a member? Well that is a snap to correct! Just go to the right sidebar or the menu item MEMBERSHIP above and sign up. Your DVD will be on its way via Canada Post.

Drop by the trunk sale this month and you may find a camera (possibly like this one) for your collection!

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think this Sunday, think trunk sale

Posted on July 12, 2024 by Robert

scene from our July 2018 Trunk Sale

Toronto. A favourite PHSC event is the annual summer trunk sale in honour of the late Larry Boccioletti. Pictured at left is a scene from the July 15, 2018 sale. As usual the sale will be outdoors in the morning hours.

Come on down and enjoy the fresh air and friendship while picking up something for your collection or user gear. We hold the sale come rain or shine (mid July is usually sunny). There is a poster and details for those who have forgotten (or are new to the sale).

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more colour choice for niche denizens

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Robert

Lomography’s Color’92 Sun-Kissed

Toronto. The folks at Lomography cater to film niche users who enjoy the ambience of film images not possible with digital technology (sorta like vinyl vs. CD audio fans).

If you are a film fan in or close to the GTA, you are in luck! Most Lomography products are available from Downtown camera (they process film too).

Browse the results from this film at the Lomgraphy press kit up on Google Drive. And remember, our fairs, auctions and coming Trunk Sale often feature films, darkroom gear, and film cameras.

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