Tag Archives: archives

foul-play

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. This c1920 portrait of a child, Henri Groulx, sitting next to a hen and smoking is from the image collection of the ‘Library and Archives Canada‘. Discovered by George Dunbar, it is another reminder of the many historic photos … Continue reading →

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what the heck is THAT?

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Today, we take automobiles (a.k.a cars) for granted. But at the beginning of the last century cars were a novelty seldom seen outside cities.  Around 1902, an automobile visited Ancaster Township in Ontario (Hamilton area).  It was the first … Continue reading →

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bare ruin’d choirs

Posted on May 7, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Anyone who studied Shakespeare will recognize the title of  this post as part of a line from one of his sonnets (#73). It is fitting to use it in a post noting the importance of photography and photographers in … Continue reading →

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before the old city hall …

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. George Dunbar sends this remarkable photograph from the archives of the Toronto Public Library. The photo shows the old Globe Foundry on Queen Street West at about the address of the old Toronto City Hall (the only City Hall … Continue reading →

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the Barretts of Whitby

Posted on April 7, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. I seldom see write-ups on older Canadian photographers. George Dunbar was browsing ‘ourOntario.ca‘ and happened upon the Whitby Library Archives. There he found material on a photographer, Augustus Barrett, who once operated a studio in Whitby and later a … Continue reading →

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marble nursery

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Like all youths, we were very incorrect. When we passed a cemetery for example, it was called a ‘marble orchard’! In response to a recent post on work photographs (workin’), my friend George Dunbar replied that he sent photographs … Continue reading →

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Archives of Ontario puts images online

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Robert

Toronto. Photography Historians take note! The Archives of Ontario has taken to the internet offering numerous free images from selected fonds in its holdings. Sean Smith of the archives writes, “Good Morning, “I hope that this e-mail finds you well … Continue reading →

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to hell and back

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. In the heady days of railway travel there were many railroads operating. On such railroad was the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railroad with headquarters in Hamilton. My friend’s grandfather and father called it the “To Hell and Back” railroad. … Continue reading →

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1,000 words …

Posted on September 13, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Have you noticed the trend? Our ancestors prided themselves on being able to read and write. As the decades passed, the written word in books, newspapers, magazines, etc. gave way to images in movies, newspapers, magazines, books, TV. In … Continue reading →

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one for the road …

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. Even photographers get thirsty. This photograph is the property of the Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and Orillia. It was taken c1898 by the H. J. Goetzman Studio and shows the ‘Joe Cook & Co., Dome Road House hotel … Continue reading →

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