Jan 25, 2026 Museum Auction Part 2

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Robert

Museum Auction Part 2 Jan 25, 2026

Toronto.  Part 2 is coming fast – our January 2026 Museum Auction Part 2, Sunday, January 25, 2026 in Long Branch (south west Toronto) at the usual venue BUT at the slightly later time (see poster) – free parking [OVERFLOW AT GO TRAIN LOT JUST WEST of HALL] and free admission.

Our Jan 2026 Auction features goodies for both film and digital folk – photographs, cameras, lenses, accessories, books, and more. Come out and enjoy this event. Click on the AUCTION tab here or in the menu bar above for directions. Click on the large icon below and follow the instruction below the icon to see the lot slide show.

Everybody is welcome. There are many  really good items, some rare these days. Just in time to let you augment your collection or user gear! Click the icon below, then the Kodak Stereo camera (lot 322) and then any item to enlarge photos of lots.  Please note the lots are in reverse order so the new additions are shown first.   L, R keys step from lot photo to lot photo.

LOT SLIDE SHOW: We owe Clint a big thank you for photographing these lots, naming all lots by lot number and tagging them. The two batches were uploaded January 11th. Another batch of photos were added Jan 12th. The photos in the slide show are in lot order (there may be some variation in the sequence of the thumbnails). Remember, the photos represent only a sampling of the lots to be auctioned Sunday.

During the auction, the sequence of lots  is the auctioneer’s choice and will vary from the numerical sequence shown.  The photographing alone is a huge undertaking on behalf of the PHSC. This auction is a thrilling event with its wide variety of lots – something for everyone!

LOT LIST: Clint has created a full lot list which will be used during the actual auction.

LOT PHOTOS: The slide show of photos will be updated frequently as photos are received.

Remember, your left/right arrows will work to move from one enlarged photo to another. The red tags (or black typed numbers or hand written notations) show the lot number – Enjoy!

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wedding bells coming soon

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Robert

 

Notman captures the Taylor wedding party in Montreal c1864

Toronto. With the chilly weather, it’s a great time to think ahead to June brides … In issue 26-3 of our journal, editor Bob Lansdale wrote and illustrated an article titled, “Wedding Photography …”. The images are from the McCord museum  in Montreal. Bob encourages others to dig into the history of wedding photography to add more history to the genre.

The article begins, “Long before candid wedding photography came to the fore with dozens [of] photographs and bulging albums, studios in Canada were recording for posterity the bridal couple, their attendants and their families.

“Over the decades the Notman Studios in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, St. John, and Halifax recorded thousands of wedding parties with the images still preserved as part of the Notman Collection at the McCord Museum in Montreal.

“As a research tool many of the images are accessible via internet at http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca using the word “wedding” to extract them from 58,803 images in the data base.

“A sampling here shows (fig. 1) [see left in this post] a full-plate print by William Notman bearing crop marks and inscribed data identifying it as ‘James Taylor’s wedding Group, Montreal, QC, 1864’.” …

Of course members could view and read the full article and photos in the 26-3 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/stick. The notes above and at right (under Membership) tell you how to join. Question may be emailed to member@phsc.ca.

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I wonder what it’s worth?

Posted on January 11, 2026 by Robert

a scan of the famous McKeown’s 11th edition. price guide.

Toronto. For many years, the definitive price guide to old cameras was McKeown’s, Issue 26-3 announced the arrival of the 11th edition of the famous guide:

“We’ll finally see the all-new McKeown’s Price Guide in January 2001 at a hefty price of $125 US for the soft cover edition. But it looks like it will be worth the wait and the price as it has been totally revised with some 6500 new photographs (new digital photos or scans of old prints where the equipment was not available). The number of pages has been increased from 600 to 904 with many new additions bolstering the sections on French, Spanish, German and Russian cameras. This 11th issue may be the last.” …

Well, as it turned out a 12th edition was printed and sold, a few copies going to PHSC members. The 12th had very little more than offered by the 11th other than the usual price updates.

The modern digital era caught up with the folks who produce the price guide, and a web site was set up to solicit opinions on digital  vs hard copy. The site announced that this version was almost ready and would replace the 12th edition issued in 2004. The site is still there (January 2026), but remains mainly unchanged (under construction).

Today many web sites, auction houses, etc. offer prices for old photo gear and images as well as colourful illustrations, history of the camera and/or maker, etc. Please note: Those using sites like Ebay must be sure to use a sale price, not an asking price to decide current day value. Some photographic historical societies (like the PHSC) also address photographers and studios as well (usually domestic or well known people/studios).

With the serious inroads of digital technology, the value of cameras other than those either very rare, pivotal, or originally pricy (Leica, Contax, Hasselblad, etc.) plummeted. But for research even today, a hard copy McKeown’s (I use the 11th) is worthwhile even if the prices are a quarter century out of date.

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that time again …

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Robert

PHSC President Clint Hryhorijiw

Toronto. … “Bloody January Again” as Flanders and Swan sang in their tune “A Song of the Weather“.

Our 65th executive meeting  was held via ZOOM on Wednesday, January 7th. I was able to attend but others were not so lucky due to other events, illness, etc.

Once again, our treasurer, John Morden, sent out his report  prior to the meeting.  The report resulted in  some discussion but no changes.

Financial Controller, Jeri Danyleyko noted all was quiet on the GIC front as she continues to address our needs.

Membership Secretary, Lilianne Schneider sent her regrets.

Noe: For those choosing to buy or renew a membership, please remember our journal is now  in ‘pdf format’ only, so an email address is essential. A MailChimp notification is sent to all member emails when each journal pdf is produced and uploaded.

If you are a member but HAVE NOT seen any notification for Photographic Canadiana since you registered or renewed, please email Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.

Celio noted the January 2026 presentation is a joint PHSC and PhotoEd collaboration. Speaker Elizabeth Anne Cavaliere  will discuss her new book, “Hannah Maynard: Life and Work”. The event is in-person at the Arts & Letters Club on Elm Street Sunday January 18, 2026. The current issue of the European PhotoResearcher was discussed. As is very expensive it was decided to eliminate any copies other than those that were prepaid.

Newsletter editor Patrick Gunn sent in a written report. His December PHSC News (25-12) was release in Early January. The January issue (26-01) is planned for release January 24th – just before our first 2026 event – The Estate Auction – Part 2. President and auctioneer Clint stated the lot photographs will be ready for posting shortly. The auction is scheduled for January 25, 2026.

The spring fair is planned for May 24, 2026 (Victoria Day long weekend is the week earlier). Clint is investigating an expanded image show (Image and Books) at the auction venue.

David and Louise report that the journal issue 51-3 is still delayed waiting receipt of the lead article.

Social media editor, Ms Markovic was unable to attend but provided a written report for instagram showing very positive growth month/month).

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seeing double in Motor City

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Robert

Pretty Rooster by Denis Hanser – Detroit Sterescopic Society

Toronto. One of my “uncles” moved down to Detroit in the 1930s. I remember my dad saying he drove my grandfather to Detroit on occasion to see his brother. Those were the days when we crossed the border – either way – without resorting to passports.

A few week back, Jeffrey Rowe of MiPHS kindly sent me a copy of the “Detroit Stereographic Society” newsletter, “Stereo Window”. It is the December 2025 issue, Vol 36-4. The small newsletter printed the results of their stereo  contest. First Prize in one category went to Denis Hanser for this close-up of a “pretty” rooster (see top left).

Serious stereo fans are a subset of photographic collectors. You can review what the DSS has to offer here. The DSS seems to be more like a traditional camera club with contests and awards.

 

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ever see an ‘ugly duckling’ camera?

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Robert

front details of Rob’s “Ugly Ducking” camera

Toronto,  I received my copy of the MiPHSC Photogram (53-4, Winter 2025) a few weeks back. In it was an article by Rob Niederman (known for his collection and knowledge of cameras) titled “My Collection Has An Ugly Duckling”.

Join the MiPHS to see what Rob wrote, and why he warmed up to this camera as ugly as it is.

The articles and illustrations in the Photogram make joining MiPHS very worthwhile. In this issue you will  spot our own president Clint in his definitive maroon/red top. Clint helped out with the auction held in the fall of 2025. And likewise, we see PHSC visits – and talks – by Cindy Motzenbecker of MiPHS fame.

Michigan is but a short drive from the big smoke (I have relatives there as does our late journal editor, Bob Lansdale).

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December 2025 (25-12) PHSC News

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Robert

Monthly newsletter of the PHSC

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 a message on 2026 goals by our president, Clint Hryhorijiw; A super article on the Canon 7 issues and fixes; Elysia De Laurentis’ researches on George  Welch (of the England and Welch photos); a CDV of the month, and more.

Click on the cover icon at left to see a copy (like all 2025 issues, issue 12 is a delight to read and see)!

Issue 25-12 has the familiar eye-grabbing layout and quality in images and text we appreciate from Mr Gunn. And remember, we are an all volunteer operation. In fact, the PHSC relies on its volunteers, especially those with envious talents!

Click here for a copy of 25-12 or visit NEWSLETTER above for this and all other issues. Do you prefer a personal copy with the release notice sent directly to your in-box? Then  email news@phsc.ca and your address will be added to our MailChimp list.

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to die for…

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Robert

Toronto Views – illustrated with photographs by William James

Toronto. … is a popular expression describing a very special item. In the issue 26-3 column “Book Shelf”, Dr Wilson describes a book of photographs by photographer William James. The book’s illustrations were made using rare hand coloured slides from photographs taken around Toronto in the first half of the last Century.

The slides are often hand coloured and reside in the City of Toronto archives. The illustrations of Toronto past in ‘Toronto Views’ use these slides. Once many of the slides were quite common, but today (2026) are hard to find ‘in the wild’.

Bob begins his review, “This book presents an appealing look at Toronto during the first half of the twentieth century, through photographs taken by longtime Toronto photographer William James.

“James learned photography in England before emigrating to Canada. In Toronto, he commenced taking photographs on a part time basis in 1908, while working for Metropolitan Life; by 1910 he was making his living using the camera.

“His main customers were the large number of Toronto daily newspapers. During his 30 year career in Toronto James built up an archive of over 10,000 photographs.” …

Bob continues his review in issue 26-3. Members read it in the pdf file for that issue on the free members-only DVD/stick. Joining is a snap – follow ‘membership’ above and at right. Any questions may be emailed to member@phsc.ca.

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Museum Auction Pt 2 – Jan 25, 2026

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Our first 2026 event is our January 25, 2026 Museum Auction, Part 2 featuring more lots from the Sherman Hines Museum plus other estate items. Sorry, no consignment lots. Questions? Drop auctioneer Clint a note at auction@phsc.ca.

JANUARY 25, 2026 at the #101 LEGION HALL, in LONG BRANCH (SW TORONTO)

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old (and large) studio cameras and supports

Posted on January 4, 2026 by Robert

Neil Fox at the PHSC Fall 2000 fair with some of his collection

Toronto. In an earlier post I mentioned Neil Fox and his interest in old wooden cameras. An example of his work is shown in the December 31, 2025 post (A Colourful Lecturer). Neil (see left) attended our fall 2000 fair along with a collection of his restored studio cameras.

Part of the cut-line for the image at left states, “An attractive display of newly refurbished wooden studio cameras by Neil Fox caught the attention of many visitors. On view were Century Studio – 8×10, Anthony Studio – 14×14, and Century Studio Master – 8×10. …”

This was our first of many fairs held at the new Soccer Centre thanks to the help of soccer enthusiast and past president Les Jones.

Fair Chairman Larry Boccioletti  wrote a brief article thanking all the volunteers. Larry noted the biggest event (for him) was accidentally spilling 40 cups of coffee on his van rug and having it cleaned …

Members read Larry’s article and saw the fair photos by editor Lansdale in the issue 26-3 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/stick. Join this group of enthusiastic camera and image collectors by following the info at top and at right under “Membership”. If you happen to have any questions, feel free to email us at member@phsc.ca.

PS: Our PHSC Events for 2026 are being arranged now. Check the righthand sidebar under PHSC EVENTS frequently. First held will be the auction on January 25, 2026. Details will be posted here as soon as they become available.

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