Tag Archives: auction

not the indie 500 …

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. …but another 500 – lots that is. Of images from the ‘vernacular’. Mike Lehr announces his “May Vernacular Photo History Auction” starts at 11 am today. Shown at left is lot 112, “Stereoview Chemist Percy Julian Laboratory Portrait.  The … Continue reading →

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lighting up the night …

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. A decade or two after Edison invented the first practical electric light and Westinghouse won the idea for electricity distribution, a world’s fair was held in Buffalo NY close to Niagara Falls – the prime source of electricity in … Continue reading →

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the tale of a long lens …

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. On a chilly February 15 night in 1983, I attended the PHSC monthly meeting as I usually did each month. A young man (Leon) approached me offering a 135mm Elmar that was once his father’s.  I declined the offer … Continue reading →

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taking a shine to things

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Image collectors have a wide range of sources available for unusual old images. At left is what seems to be a tintype of a youngster polishing shoes. The image is tagged as lot 47 in the Capitol Gallery‘s Spring … Continue reading →

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can she bake a cherry pie …

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Mike Lehr in New Jersey announced his latest auction (online) starts March 28th. The auction of old photos is called, “March 2026 Unreserved Photo Auction — Curiosities, Performers & Vernacular Photography“. Click on the link at left to register … Continue reading →

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remembering Boris ..

Posted on March 14, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. A PHSC speaker and member, Boris first spoke at our March 2001 meeting. I did a memorial post when Boris died in August, 2017 at 81 years of age. At the time he was writing a book of his … Continue reading →

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Winter Photographic History Auction

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Louis Daguerre is famous for releasing the first publicly announced practical process for photography – and for offering it free to all outside the UK. His portrait (shown here) is one of the lots in the upcoming auction of … Continue reading →

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know when to fold ’em …

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … as Kenny Rogers once sang. A step up in camera design was the so-called folder popular around 1930-1950. Between uses, the camera could be easily collapsed for the pocket. The focussing bellows collapsed into the camera body along … Continue reading →

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December 2025 (25-12) PHSC News

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Seasons greetings, all! The cover quietly covers the holiday season.  Once again, this issue is a delight to the eye – all 16 pages. Editor Gunn out did himself doing a fine workup for the season. This issue includes … Continue reading →

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a game changer

Posted on November 20, 2025 by Robert

Toronto. When 35mm movie film ‘ends’ were common, various cameras using the ends were sold, but failed to gain traction – until a century ago when a little German camera from a optical house specializing in microscopes introduced the Leica … Continue reading →

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