remembering Walter Shean

Posted on August 2, 2026 by Robert

the late Walter Shean

Toronto. Walter died on March 3, 2002 at 69 years of age. He was active in the PHSC and a Charter member. The PHSC auctioned his collection for his estate. The late Larry Boccioletti, a founder of the PHSC wrote this obituary for the journal:

“Charter Member #71 of PHSC, and esteemed friend, Walter Shean passed away Sunday, March 3, 2002 of heart complications. He was 69 and leaves his wife Janette, son Gregory, brother Boris and step-sons, Dean and Todd McIntosh.

“Walter was quiet and low key; he was well known in collecting circles for his eclectic and rare photographic collectibles. In 30 years he had acquired such rare items as machine gun cameras and early hand crank ciné cameras.

“Even though it was quite a drive from Shelburne where he lived, he regularly attended our monthly meetings offering exotic collectibles, and was always at all the fairs [tables of collectibles were regulars at the monthly meetings at one time]. Walter retired from teaching film-production at the Campbell District Secondary school in 1998.

“Few were aware that he suffered from a ‘tired syndrome’ resulting from childhood polio – it often necessitated him to leave meetings early.

“Donations in Walter’s name can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Sunnybrook Hospital, or to the Headwaters Hospital in Orangeville.

“Larry Boccioletti”

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moon shot

Posted on August 1, 2026 by Robert

by the light of the silvery moon …

Toronto. The heavenly bodies have been around for millions of years from what we can tell. Some old photo collectors relish at discovering old photographs of the night skies, planets, moon, etc.

At left is a very recent photograph of our moon, so bright it is blown out. Taken this year by a smartphone, it is far, far too recent to be collectible.

However; our events often offer old photographs amongst other interesting items to thrill any collector of photographica.

The events for the first half of this year are now over and we are in our summer break. The events begin again this fall and are preceded a few weeks by a poster pinned to the top of this site. Meantime; do enjoy your summer (the days may be warm again).

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in da mail …

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Robert

Butcher’s Royal Mail Stamp camera with instructions and packaging c1907

Toronto. Bill Belier’s column “A Treasure From My Collection” in issue 28-1 (May/June 2002) feature’s a relatively rare British camera, “The Royal Mail Photo Stamp camera”. The example at left was picked up by Mr Tanenbaum at our spring 1998 fair.

Bill begins, “It is a rare occasion when our two annual photographica fairs do not produce a number of highly prized collectible cameras and our 1998 Spring Fair was no exception. Such was the case when H__ T__spotted the little Royal Mail classic on a vendor’s table, recognized its historical significance, and within minutes negotiated its purchase.

“Over the years H__ has assembled an outstanding collection of classic and land-mark cameras but his interest in “hardware” is more an adjunct and not the main thrust of his passion for photographica.

“Together with his wife C__, who shares his enthusiasm for photographic arts, they have assembled an enviable collection of prints, daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and other expressions of the art of the photographer, both historical and contemporary. Their preferences, which are reflected in the collection, appear to be universal with an emphasis on social documentary photography.”

Members read all of this article in the pdf for issue 28-1 on the free members’ only DVD/thumb drive. Joining is easy – just follow ‘Membership’ above and at right. Questions? Email member@phsc.ca.

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remembering Ron Walker

Posted on July 30, 2026 by Robert

the late PHSC member Ro Walker, Ron collected microscopes, Zeiss cameras, and optical books

Toronto. We lost Ron in 2002. He and wife Joan were PHSC members and frequent volunteers. I personally enjoyed Ron’s deep knowledge of microscopes as myself, he, and editor EvRoseborough were also microscope collectors and members of the rather short lived HMSC founded by another PHSC member Fritz Shulze of Zeiss Canada.

When Ron passed in January of 2002, His obituary was written and printed a few months later in volume 27-5 of the journal from a PHSC perspective:

“After a long and courageous battle with cancer member Ron Walker succumbed peacefully in his sleep at age 79. Beloved husband of Joan Wrigley Tudge, the couple were frequent volunteers at PHSC events.

“Ron served as a Flight Lieutenant with the RCAF during the Second World War and as a Captain with Trans Canada Air Lines/Air Canada until his retirement in 1983.

“A specialist in collecting microscopes he assembled a library of classic works on his chosen instrument and set up an enviable workshop with lathe and milling machines to restore his found treasures to pristine working condition.

“His quests took him to England, Europe and America to seek out acquisitions or to examine museum specimens before beginning restoration on a similar piece in Canada.

“Ron was featured in Photographic Canadiana, Sept/Oct 1993 in a ‘Meet the Collector’ article and was part of a speakers panel during a ‘Micro Night’.

“Mr. Walker equally served his community as a longtime Commissioner with the Streetsville Public Utilities Commission and Hydro Mississauga. He was honoured with the President’s Citation by the Ontario Municipal Electrical Association for his distinguished contributions to the MEA and the electricity industry.

“With his expertise in optics he was called upon as consultant to IMAX.”

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possibly another rare bird?

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Robert

a rare lens/shutter set from the Jan 2026 auction

Toronto. Photographica Collectors are always looking to spot that rare bird, be it photo, camera, or lens, to add on to their collections. Some very likely sources are our annual events.

For example this Triplex lens/shutter/board combination, shown at left, appeared in one of our auctions earlier this year (February 2026).

The first half of our 2026 events are now finished and the PHSC is on its summer break. The PHSC will resume the 2026 events this fall.

As each event date approaches, a poster will be pinned to the top of this site with details etc. Meantime, enjoy the summer!

 

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… a real train wreck ….

Posted on July 28, 2026 by Robert

a train wreck in Northern Quebec c1958

Toronto. … is a person in total chaos and emotionally a wreck. However; photographica collectors sometimes seek out old photographs of trains or wrecks of any sort to add to their collections.

The photo at left of a wreck up in Northern Quebec is still a bit too new to really be a collectible.

The PHSC events each year give ample opportunities for collecting both old photographs and old equipment to add to any collection – or even more recent used film and digital gear to become ‘user gear’.

We are now taking a well earned summer break and will continue this year’s events in the fall. As each date approaches, a poster and details will appear pinned to the top of this site.

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a dentist to be drilling …

Posted on July 27, 2026 by Robert

a Roxboro, Quebec dentist at work on his tiny patient c1976

Toronto. Some collectors of old photographs relish photos of work and professionals such as the dentist, his assistant, and his tiny patient shown here in the 1970s. While a bit new to be a collectible (getting there), other old images of work show up from time to time.

Our 2026 events gave all photographica collectors -including those collecting old photos – an opportunity to add interesting items to their collection.

After our summer break, we will be hosting more 2026 events. Weeks before each event itself, a poster will be pinned to the top of this site’s first page giving more details.

Meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer days avoiding the forest fire smoke and sweltering weather should they occur once again.

NB. The title of this post comes from the song “I’m An Ordinary Man” in the play “My Fair Lady” which is based on Shaw’s Pygmalion.

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down to the lake in a boat again …

Posted on July 26, 2026 by Robert

row boat on a small Ontario lake c1978

Toronto. Old photograph collectors thrive on that illusive photo that will add to their collection and give viewers a thrill. Perhaps an old photo of children boating on a lake, The photo at left is still too new to be a collectible, but you get the idea.

Each year the PHSC hosts many events that allow any collector of – photographs, cameras, history, etc. –  to add to their collection (or user gear).

Our 2026 events will begin again after the summer break. As the event date nears, information and a poster will be pinned to this web site. Enjoy the summer (a bit cool recently).

NB: The title of this post is a riff on a line in John Masefield‘s haunting 1902 poem, “Sea-Fever“.

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waiting for dad …

Posted on July 25, 2026 by Robert

child and dog waiting for dad c1984

Toronto. Collectors could add the photo at left to various collection subgroups (if it was older than shown) like pets; dogs; kids; children; parks; outdoors; etc..

Our annual events always offer interesting old photos and equipment to spark any collector’s interests.

While our 2026 events are well underway as we enter the summer break, we do have some interesting events lined up for this fall like fairs and auctions. Events are added to the right hand sidebar of this site as their place and date are confirmed.

When an event is closer to happening, we pin a poster to the top of the site’s first page with all the usual information. So have a great summer and “See You in September” as the song says.

Note: the title of this post is a riff on the title of Sam Beckett’s famous play, “Waiting for Godot” (unlike Godot, dad does arrive).

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a real cut up …

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Robert

a digital panorama from a Sony camera used creatively

Toronto. Cameras like the famous Cirkut were well known for panoramic photos. While our events occasionally feature a Cirkut or other panoramic camera, you are more likely to spot a print created by such a camera.

Frequently used for group photos, the occasional wag at the far end of the group would beat the camera and appear at the opposite end of the group as well.

Our events for 2026 are listed in the right hand sidebar of this site. After the summer break, we will continue with the 2026 events. As each date approaches, we will pin a poster to the top of the site giving details of the event.

Note: The above shot is a digital photo far too new to be collectible. The camera’s panoramic option was used in a rather creative way to chop up the image of a little boy running.

 

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