pottering about … again

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Robert

Typical glass slides sold by Chas Potter – Robert Wilson collection

Toronto. In issue 26-5 we learnt about the ‘Potter Lantern’ in Bill Belier’s column. In the same issue, the late Dr Wilson expanded on Charles Potter and his Toronto establishment in his article, “Charles Potter: Toronto Optician and Mathematical Instrument Maker”.

Bob begins his article with this précis: “For nearly 120 years, the firm of Charles Potter, Optician, provided optical and mathematical instruments for the citizens of Toronto, including such things as stereoscopes, camera lenses, lantern projectors and lantern slides among many other optical devices.”

Bob then continues with his article proper, “Charles Potter was first listed in Toronto as a partner in the firm of Hearn and Potter. This company originated in 1853 when the partners bought the watchmaking and jewellery business from George Savage (who had been in Toronto since before 1837).

“Hearn and Potter soon added optical devices and mathematical instruments to the products offered, as well as continuing in the watch and jewellery business. Among the many optical instruments that they sold were ‘Lenzes’ and Stereoscopes.

“The other partner in Hearn and Potter was William Hearn. The firm of Hearn and Potter lasted for four years, and was finally dissolved on 28 August 1857. William Hearn continued the business of this partnership. By June 1859, William Hearn had been replaced by Charles Hearn, likely his son, and by June 1861, Charles Hearn had moved to Montreal.

“The story of the optical firms that evolved in Montreal from this company was told in Photographic Canadiana, Vol 25, No 1, May/June 1999, pages 18 and 19.

“Charles Potter was born in London, England about 1831 of Charles and Mary Potter. He served a regular apprenticeship in England before coming to Canada.

“After the breakup of Hearn and Potter, Charles Potter was not listed in the Toronto directories for several years. During this time he met Elizabeth Carruthers of Pether Hill, near Weston, and married her on 10 May 1860. They settled in Toronto in a three-storey brick house at 115 Adelaide Street West.” …

Members were able to read all of the article and enjoy the photos in the pdf file for issue 26-5 on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See ‘membership’ at top and at right to join. Address any questions to member@phsc.ca.

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pottering about …

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Robert

an old Potter badged glass plate projector

Toronto. Issue 26-5 introduces us to a Toronto company selling various scientific instruments such as the Potter Lantern shown at left and described by Bill Belier and Bob Wilson in Bill’s “A Treasure From Two Collections…” column.

Bill begins, “About twenty years ago [1980] I received a call from an old gentleman living in a rural area just east of Toronto that lead to my acquisition of the Potter Lantern, pictured here. Somehow he knew my telephone number, supplied by a ‘friend of a friend’…

“He could not quite remember the sequence, but he had been told that I would buy old cameras. Well, he had just such a camera… ‘with a big brass lens’ that he had discovered in his attic.

“It apparently was left behind by the former owner of a house he purchased soon after WW II. Was I interested?… Yes I was, and without further questioning, drove over to see the camera the following day.

“Name plate on [the] lens of Bob Wilson’s Victor projector reads: Sold By Charles Potter, 85 Yonge St. Toronto. (1901-1914)

“What a disappointment awaited me… the ‘big brass lens’ was attached to an ugly old lantern slide projector that did nothing to increase my heart beat… I had expected at least a wet-plate [camera]!

“My host was visibly disappointed by my lack of enthusiasm after I had explained that a projector was not actually a camera. But because of the strange name plate, with the Toronto reference, I decided to purchase the projector anyway. Not being in any particular hurry to find out more, I consigned it to my storage loft where it remained until I casually mentioned it to Bob Wilson recently [March 2001].

“His 1989 article about a projector in his collection, the Victor Portable Stereopticon also had a connection to Charles Potter (see P.C. Vol. 15 No 3 1989).”

Members read all of Bill’s column in the pdf file for issue 26-5 on the free member’s only DVD/memory stick. To join, just see ‘membership’ above and at right. Questions? Drop an email to member@phsc.ca.

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it’s here … it’s here …

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Robert

lot 835 is a book on the Nikon camera system

Toronto. … our first 2026 event, that is. The February 15th auction kicks off the events for this year. The auction starts around 1:30 this afternoon with an hour of viewing the lots on offer. The slightly flexible timing will allow the church using the hall each Sunday time to wrap things up and disembark.

Please note the above link gives directions and other details.

The viewing time allows you an opportunity to see in person what you intend to bid on – a winning bid can add to your collection or user gear.

Come on down to the Legion Hall #101 in Long Branch (southwest Toronto). Remember there is free parking and free admission. That, plus the great food offered and a chance to meet and chat with fellow collectors makes this a choice way to pass a February Sunday afternoon.

This link shows most lots so you can preview the items suitable to your interest before you see them personally. You can offer a bid when a lot goes under the hammer!

 

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Davey, can you see it …

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … tomorrow’s auction, of course. The February 15th, 2026 auction takes place in the Legion Hall #101 down in Long Branch (southwest part of Toronto). Click here  for many lot photos and a partial lot list. Click on the poster below to see the earlier poster indicating the date change that avoided the epic January 25th, 2026 snow storm.

Our first 2026 event – February 15, 2026 auction

Note: This post title is a riff on a song title from the Who’s Rock Album ‘Tommy”. The above poster was revised and sent by David Bridge who with wife Louise, president Clint Hryhorijiw (auctioneer) and other volunteers will be involved in tomorrow’s auction.

PS Happy Valentine’s day all …

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lots of cameras

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Robert

lot 645 – Pentax cameras – in the Auction Sunday February 15th.

Toronto. Our first event this year is this Sunday, February 15. Our auction will feature many great items for your collection and user gear.

The cameras range from very old to newish models like the Pentax collection in lot 645 shown at left.

Come on down to our February 15, 2026 Auction in Southwest Toronto at the Legion 101 Hall in Long Branch. The weather looks decent according to recent weather forecasts.

There is Free Parking and admission. Good food and friendly folk. A great way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon while browsing the lots (shown here – just click the Kodak Stereo camera) and seeing what you can get for your own collection.

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a picture perfect moment

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Robert

lot 736 – hand coloured glass plate portrait of a young girl.

Toronto. The hand coloured glass plate at the left is lot 736 in the coming auction on Sunday, February 15th. It is just one example of the old images offered this Sunday.

The February 15th Auction is the first event of 2026 for the PHSC. And the weather forecast continues to predict a fine but cloudy day.

Come on down to Legion Hall 101 in Long Branch (southwest Toronto). See the above link/poster for directions and details.

Free parking. Free admission. Good food. And great company. The link also shows a large group of photos which you can click on to see most of the lots!

Be sure to join us in this terrific way to spend a Sunday afternoon. You may spot items that suit your collection or user gear and place the winning bid!

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canon fodder

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Robert

Canons looking for fodder …

Toronto. It’s coming! It’s coming! The February 15th auction, that is. We were forced to delay due to the nasty storm on January 25th and now look forward to the coming Sunday, February 15th. Weather forecasts predict a relatively clear, warm(er), and snow-free day this time.

We plan on offering about 300 lots with a wide variety of goods for all photographic collectors and users. Take a peek at the slide show here. And the most recent list description of the lots too. And directions and details.

Come on down to Legion Hall 101 in Long Branch (southwest Toronto). Free parking and admission. Great food as always plus friendly folk. See you Sunday!

 

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… and the winner is …

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Robert

TMU graduates with their photography books – photograph by M Markovic

Toronto. The five year award period for original photo book creation by TMU’s graduating class in photography has been renewed by the PHSC.

The winning grads are: Jerry Zhang for “A Beginners Guide to Swimming and Diving”; Dalila Oliveira for “Mapa do Inicio”; Ethan Barruch for “The Classifieds”; Carter Henry for “Urban Landscape”; Gorden Nyenhuis for “A General Feeling of Being Unwell”; and Evva Sofia Pereria for “Liapis Still-ness”

Warm thanks to our Social Media editor, Mina Markovic, for attending the event on behalf of the PHSC and sharing her photographs of the event.

Ms Markovic herself is a graduate of the TMU program. She finds time in her busy schedule to assist the PHSC in many important ways.

 

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auction jamboree …

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Robert

lot 664 is a Kodak folder ready for your collection.

Toronto. … Our first event for 2026 is the February 15, 2026 auction. It is looking to be a wonderful means to add to your collection and user gear. All the details are shown here in the auction post.

The above auction post shows photos of about 2/3 of the lots plus the most recent lot list in pdf format. It will be pinned to the top of the first page until conclusion of the bidding.

Come and join friends on a Sunday afternoon in February. Free admission. Free parking. Good food. And great photographica lots just ready to be claimed by the highest bidder. All lots are on view before bidding begins.

Note: Decades ago I bought an album by the Kingston Trio. One song on the album, “Zombie Jamboree” inspired the name of this post.

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Kodachrome gone …

Posted on February 8, 2026 by Robert

quartet of Nikons – lot 693 in February 15th auction

Toronto. … but our events like the February 15th auction carry on! Kodachrome film bit the dust about 15 years ago but we continue to bring joy and thrills into the lives of photographica collectors with the tasty range of goodies featured in our auctions and fairs.

Our February 15th auction has oodles of items in 100s of lots (like these Nikon film shooters) to add to any collection or user gear. Come down and see, and bid for those special things that catch your eye.

Details and directions are here. Free parking. Free admission. Good food. Great friends. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

NOTE: The post tile is based on the Paul Simon 1973 song “Kodachrome” sung here by Paul.

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