browsing the news around 1963 when the most important media were newspapers
Toronto. There has been an interest in the history of photography dating back at least to 1905 when Josef Eder produced his first edition (I have the Dover reprint of his third edition). In America, there have been many books on the history of our art including the massive book by the Gernsheims in 1955 (I have the revised and enlarged edition printed in 1969 that I bought in 1971).
In the 1970s interest in cameras and old photos exploded with a proliferation of ‘historical’ societies world wide. Our own society was formed late in 1974 and became active the following year. The initial idea was an umbrella national society with many regional groups but this lofty goal eventually faded to one society here in Toronto and many other independent groups across Canada.
The PHSC initially attracted mainly camera collectors. Over the years a subset of members also collected old photographs and a subset of that group also addressed stereo.
The journal, Photographic Canadiana, began as a monthly mimeographed product and evolved into the current more professional journal we see today while slowly shrinking to four issues per annum. Two factors sparked the beginning of the newsletter, originally 10 issues per year. Colour pdf files were far cheaper than printed media; and as the number of journal issues was reduced, we occasionally missed an event.
An annual fair, then two, were held encouraging all collectors – members or not – to come and add to their personal collection. An auction was added for members to move less expansive items no longer of interest to them. The auctions expand in the number per year and began covering member estates as well.
COVID19 had a major impact on us, driving the journal and meetings online using pdf files and ZOOM meetings. Fortunately, by the time COVID hit, almost all members had embraced digital technology and had an email address facilitating the online notice of electronic publications and attendance at online meetings.
The society added various social media platforms to attract younger members, and reach those who did not bother with the by now ubiquitous web sites. And membership emphasis shifted more to professional photographers and advanced amateurs as well as the core group of collectors. Regular informative meetings fell off as we focussed more on events like fairs and auctions.
Members today can join/renew by mail (cheque or cash) or online (PayPal). See above and at right under ‘membership’. Questions may be emailed to member@phsc.ca.
