a very private person …

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Robert

photographer Randolphh MacDonald by Robert Lansdale – enlarged for the web with Topaz Photo AI

Toronto. Ev Roseborough as editor of our journal drew upon his extensive background in photography to write articles relevant to our members. In volume 16-3 (Nov/Dec 1990) Ev wrote a lengthy illustrated article about photographer Ran MacDonald titled, “A very private person – Randolph Macdonald ARPS, (Hon) FRPS, AIBP”.

Ev begins his article on this famous Toronto photographer as follows. “When I began to write what was intended originally to be a rather short obit., based on some fifty years of knowing and sometimes working with Randolph Macdonald on association matters [PPoC], it became increasingly clear that very few people really knew him. The more I probed members of the Arts and Letters Club and other organizations in which he had been active, Ran was remembered for doing a fine job but disappearing when it was completed.

“So it was with his contribution to staging the Annual Theatre Night at the A & L; Ran attended the lighting. Club members, such as A. J. Casson, would spend weekends at his Woodbridge farm and many fine painting and sketches resulted .

“To say that he was shy is untrue; unobtrusive, perhaps. But certainly a very private person was the handsome, gifted urbane gentleman who in 1938 bought the business of Charles Aylett.

“The Aylett studio was favoured by wealthy Torontonians for many years, here Ran took the plunge from camera club exhibitor into the world of professional photography.”

Well, regular readers know the drill: recent members can read the rest of Ev’s article and see the illustrations in the pdf file for issue 16-3 on the PHSC DVD we send free to all members. To join, see the membership menu item above or the information at far right. Questions? Drop Lilianne a note at member@phsc.ca.

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remembering the CSC

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Robert

a custom stereo card graces the cover of issue 16-2

Toronto. May, 1990 was the culmination of strenuous work by some PHSC members, especially Stan White, one of our resident 3D experts. Stan worked hard to pull together a library of stereoscopic material that the society could offer to a local institution on loan for research by its students.

At the time, Stan was a lecturer at Sheridan, teaching photographic topics to aspiring photographers. Stan  previously worked on industrial photography in England and later with our journal editor Ev Roseborough in his studio in Toronto.

On May 22, 1990, a young PHSC president, Mark Singer, met with Sheridan College’s president, Mary Hofstetter to formally place the Canadian Stereoscopic Collection (CSC) on loan to the college. A commemorative stereo card was designed and graced the cover of our journal issue 16-2.

Sadly, stereo to the average soul was a sometimes thing, falling in and out of fashion, perhaps due to the need for the viewer to use a special viewing apparatus or glasses to keep the left and right images from entering his/her incorrect eye (unless they had the rare ability to ‘free-view‘). The CSC was rarely used and the College elected to return it to the PHSC to gain space for other items.

At the time, Ryerson (now TMU) was busy absorbing a major collection from Canadian Kodak and lacked resources to accept the CSC. Fortunately it could be housed at the AGO where it resided for many years. But like Sheridan, in time the institution felt the space could be better used. This time some items remained at the AGO while others were returned to the PHSC.

And as usual recent members can read about the event contained in the pdf file of issue 16-2 on the PHSC DVD that is mailed free to members. To join, see ‘MEMBERSHIP’ at the top of this page or the article at the far right on renewing via credit card or PayPal, Questions? Drop our membership secretary, Lilianne Schneider,  an email at member@phsc.ca.

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a nanny and the twins

Posted on September 8, 2024 by Robert

19th century tintype from Indiana. Lot 191 in the Live ML Auction

Toronto. Once summer is in the rear-view mirror, the collectors see many choices to augment their collections. For the photo collectors amongst us, ML Antiques (Michael Lehr) in the States have announced their fall auction as being held September 21, 2024  –  about a month before our fair. Michael says, “Explore Our New Bidding platform and Save 5% on Our Upcoming Auction!

“We’re excited to introduce our new auction platform, designed for the needs of our collector, dealer, and curator clients. Our fall 19th century photographic history auction will be available soon and you can get a head start by preregistering today.” …

The catalog of offerings and estimated value may be seen here. The image at left is described thusly, “A quarter plate tintype presents a rare image from the 19th century, capturing an African American woman tenderly interacting with twin white girls, who are kissing each other while seated in a crib. The photograph exudes warmth and intimacy, offering a glimpse into the lives and relationships within a domestic setting during this era.

“The composition of the image, with the African American woman gently overseeing the interaction between the two girls, is both striking and emotionally evocative. The children’s white dresses and the soft lighting add to the serene atmosphere, while the woman’s presence suggests a deep bond and care within the household.

“This tintype was discovered in Indiana and serves as a valuable historical artifact that sheds light on the complex social dynamics of the time. The image is a powerful reminder of the often-unseen personal relationships that existed during a period marked by racial divisions.”

Visit the catalog and see what Michael is offering this fall – and you can register and bid on line!

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time for fall 2024 Camerama Show (Sep 29th)

Posted on September 7, 2024 by Robert

Toronto.My friend Gary Perry tells me the next Camerama Camera Show is  Sunday, September 29, 2024. See flyer [below] for details.

“Now in our 28th Year!”

Show will be held at the same great location and same time as always:
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
6 Sakura Way, Toronto, M3C 1Z

Open for attendees: 10:00am – 3:00pm for $9 admission  (Student with ID $7)

Vendor Tables Available (only a few left). Rates  are $75 per 8ft table including  entry for vendor and one helper. No tablecloths are provided. Use EMT money transfers or PayPal payments to cameramashow@gmail.com.

Future show dates are: Feb 09, 2025; June 8, 2025; and Sept 28, 2025.

Any questions or concerns, email Gary:

Gary Perry
Camerama Camera Show
email: cameramashow@gmail.com

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Alberta in Silver Images

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Robert

Tom Spink’s BarberShop 1912 – ROBERT HOARE COLL. PROV. ARCHIVES OF ALBERTA

Toronto. Ever wonder what a barbershop looked like inside in say 1912? Thanks to photography, this bit of reminiscing is totally practical. In issue 16-2 of our journal, dated Sept/Oct 1990, editor Ev Roseborough collaborated with Brock Silversides  and the Alberta Archives saying, “I would like to thank the Provincial Archives of Alberta and Brock Silversides, Senior Audio-visual Archivist for material and assistance … .”

The pair listed key photographers, each with a brief write-up and photo using material from the Archives as a basis.

In discussing Robert Hoare (1878-1964), who shot the Spink’s barbershop photo in 1912, they write “Gerald Robin O’Bryan Hoare (known to his friends as “Bob” and to posterity in general as “Robert”) was born in Hampshire, England in 1878. He and his elder brother came to Canada in 1900 as remittance men, taking out a homestead east of the village of Bowden.

“It was at this time that Robert opened his photographic studio which he operated during the first decade of the twentieth century, recording the people and events of Bowden and district. His photographic enterprise did not, however, prove a success for he was no businessman; he finally closed his studio in 1914.

“He continued to reside on his homestead where he indulged in his favourite hobby of gardening, and maintained his interest in photography. He died in Edmonton in 1964. Five years later his collection was deposited on permanent loan at the Provincial Archives by the Bowden Historical Society.” …

Members read the rest of this article and more in the pdf version of issue 16-2 on the PHSC DVD which is sent free to members (we are at issue 50-1 today). What! you aren’t a member! Hey why not? It’s easy and inexpensive – see the menu bar item above or the paragraphs at the right to join. Questions? Email our Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider at member@phsc.ca.

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Fall Fair Oct 20, 2024

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Robert

Toronto. The famous PHSC Fall Fair will be held at the Trident Hall on October 20, 2024. For details, see the poster below. Still have questions? Send Mark a note at fair@phsc.ca (the links in the poster below do not work).

PHSC FALL FAIR October 20, 2024

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tales from across the pond

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Robert

Williamson Kinematograph Co Tropical 35mm wooden cine camera that was probably made around 1911

Toronto. Our friends in Great Britain  sent along the latest issue of  The Photographic Collector’s Club of Great Britain (PCCGB) Tailboard (August 2024). We exchange newsletters with the  PCCGB – and the odd article. The camera you see (left). is featured in an article on member Paul Godfrey.

While this is a cine camera, it was originally “acquired by John Barker around 1930 and was used to take three-in-a-strip walkies on the streets of Great Yarmouth and other towns [in Great Britain]”.

In this article Paul explains how he came to join the PCCGB and how he acquired this camera and its provenance.

 

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some thoughts on collecting

Posted on September 3, 2024 by Robert

Marche Aux Puces – Sunday morning flea market in Leige, Belgium. February 25, 1945 near the end of WW2

Toronto. It is sometimes said one person’s junk is another’s treasure. John Naslanic, past president and editor for MiPHS, suggests this in an 1990 article titled, “Collecting: This is not a museum- this junk is for sale.”

John’s article is at the height of camera and image collecting. He uses anecdotes and illustrations to make his case. His article on the subject begins, “Someone somewhere will collect almost anything and it’s a good thing that not everyone wants to same thing. With the coming of warm weather, the season for outdoor collecting has begun – garage sales, flea markets and antique shows.

“You may have heard of the ultimate down-east string saver, who tied every piece of string he found into a large ball. And on a shelf, he had a box marked: “Pieces of string too short to save.” Or the fellow who said,”They think I’m strange just because I like buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup.”His friend replies, “I like pancakes myself.” And the first fellow’s eyes brighten up and he says, “You do? You must see mine! I’ve got two closets full of ’em!”

“As you know by now, the world is divided into “tossers” and “savers”. The tosser says, “When in doubt, throw it out.” The tosser is always trying to borrow something from the saver, because he threw his away. The saver says, ” It is better to have something and not need it than to need it and not have it,” and then looks for a place to put it.”

Members read the full article in the pdf format of issue 16-2 on the free to members PHSC DVD disk. What? You aren’t a member yet? No sweat! Signing up is easy and inexpensive. See the menu item ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above and the paragraphs to the right marked “Membership – Join or Renew!”. Any questions? Email our Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider at member@phsc.ca.

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boxed set stereo cards

Posted on September 2, 2024 by Robert

Viewing a card from the Italy boxed set of Underwood & Underwood stereo cards c1908

Toronto. People occasionally see a book-shaped box containing stereo cards – the pre-movie, pre-radio, pre-tv 3D entertainment phenomenon. Many name distributors of stereo cards took to box sets around the late 1800s. A detailed written guide was often available for a price to expand on each card.

Many boxed sets covered travel topics (like the Italy box being used by the viewer shown at left). Other boxed sets were of an educational nature, usually addressed to teachers.

Bob Wilson, in his Image of the Month column in issue 16-1 introduces an image demonstrating a typical boxed set, saying “Most stereo collectors, and certainly boxed set collectors would long to have a shelf like the one shown in this 1908 view by Underwood and Underwood [image at left].

“The main bookshelf, behind the man looking through the stereo viewer, contains 32 Underwood and Underwood boxed sets, with more in view on the second bookshelf farther back. He is looking at a stereo view from the Italy set, while consulting the guide book and referring to the view location on the map.

“Underwood and Underwood began publishing boxed sets of stereo cards in the late 1890’s. These usually contained 100 stereo views, but sets with as few as 12 cards were published. The cards were stored in boxes which resembled books from the end. The nominal 100 card set came in a box that looked like two books.

“The Italy Box that is open on the table in this view contains 100 cards. Along with most sets, Underwood and Underwood also published a descriptive guide book, although its purchase was optional.”

Yep! You guessed it. Members can view all of Bob’s column in the issue 16-1 pdf file on the (free to members) DVD. Non-members can sign up tout de suite using the ‘MEMBERSHIP’ item above on the menu bar or the ‘Membership – Join or Renew!’ guideline to the right. It’s easy and inexpensive to be a member! Questions? Drop a line to Lilianne Schneider, our Membership Secretary at member@phsc.ca.

Visit our fall events to search out stereo cards (and other goodies) to fill the empty spots in your collection. Next up is our Fall Fair on October 20th.

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… paul stranded, nearly …

Posted on September 1, 2024 by Robert

Strand is simply the biggest, widest most commanding talent in the history of American photography.
– Susan Sontag, New York Review of Books

Toronto. About 50 years ago, I saw a few of the works of Paul Strand. His 1917 photograph of a blind woman shows up in many places. The photograph by Strand of people scurrying along Wall Street past the J P Morgan building two years earlier  (titled Wall Street is even more compelling (to me).

But while many books show Strand’s work, there are few details of the man himself. In issue 16-1, editor Ev Roseborough adds two thought provoking articles, First is titled. “Strand – Under the Dark Cloth“.  It offers excerpts from a review of John Walker’s film of the same name.  The film premiered at the Bloor Cinema in Toronto in early 1990. The second of Ev’s articles, “Paul Strand, 1890-1976”, gives a thumb-nail history of the iconic photographer.

Note: The title of this post is a riff on a line in  the Simon and Garfunkel song, “A Simple Desultory Philippic”, a satire of Bob Dylan sung here by S&G. The song appeared on the LP Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme (which I have).

Members read the pdf version of issue 16-1 on the PHSC DVD (free to members). Not a member? Well it’s so easy (and cheap)! See the menu item ‘MEMBERSHIP’ above or the ‘Membership – Join or Renew!’ paragraphs to the right of this web page, Questions? Drop an email to Lilianne Schneider, our Membership Secretary at member@phsc.ca.

I”ll end this post with another plug to visit our fall events, the next one being our Fall Fair on October 20th.

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