This month marks the 600th folio of prints circulating in the name of The Leica Society- Circle 6. However, for most of the period since 1938 we went by the name of Leica Postal Portfolios, amalgamating with The Leica Historical Society only some 15 years ago. The second and much smaller cause for jubilation and the usual ox-roast on the Village Green is that I am at this moment writing this, Blog No. 150.
The eagle- eyed will notice that the register of posts passed 150 a few months back but suddenly shrunk with my deletion of one or two making reference to work by members where Copyright may still exist, but cannot be traced.
In circulating a few well chosen remarks on this occasion ( By what criteria are remarks selected to mark an occasion? 'Well Chosen'.- Flann O'Brien ) I can only offer the following.
The Leica Society Circle 6 Notes for the 600th Folio 2021
Ever since the departure of Bag no. 599 I have been giving thought to what I could say on the notes for No. 600 which brings a landmark in the history of LPP/Leica Society, albeit a rather jumbled history which has had to be partly reconstructed from records in Magazines and older Newsletters.
It seems clear that the very first circulation took place during 1938 and in reporting this the Miniature Camera Magazine mentioned that new members could still apply provided that they did all their own processing! Another feature of the first folio was the inclusion of the work of a 'guest', J.H.L. Adams, later I believe Professor Adams, who was Secretary for a time. On that subject I mentioned the Anniversary to The Circles Secretary last month and he told me that we are now one of the larger Circles in the Society. This was a surprise after the opposite being true at times in the recent past! He added that we had the distinction of only four Circle Secretaries in the entire 82 years of existence. I did not inherit any records but my searches have revealed J. H. L. Adams, Tom March, Bill Cornwall, and myself although the address of James Robertson of Irvine, Ayr, appears for initial enquiries. Shortly after the launch of this Circle war broke out and, in fear of the future, circulation ceased for a few months. When we settled into the Phoney War and Home recreations built up, most Circles resumed, and did their best to continue. The name of the great C.C.B. Herbert was well to the fore in all the LPP activity at the time of our foundation and that most active of members later held every position in the Society during 51 years as member- and founder.
I cannot trace at what point the present rules were introduced but it seems clear that early prints may well have been in a format of 6''x4'' or smaller before our extravagance of 7''x5''. Prints were in early days simply attached to the top of a Crit. sheet for easy comment as the print was viewed. From what I have seen of early comments 'no holds were barred' and members required a thick skin. We have never sought to restrict comment but I think I can truly describe present notes as 'friendly' and positive despite the occasional incursion of Politics, Religion, and that other thing, which all pass as fair comment-so far.
Now I have completed the self-congratulations I can, perhaps, dwell for a moment on the outlook for the future. We are fortunate in having some younger members in this Circle and I have seen the average age fall during my time in the Circle, which must be over 30 years as a Society member, much less as Secretary. The LPP, LHS, now the Leica Society, have not been groups for the young. Following the widespread release from Import restrictions in the early 1960's we saw the wider availablity of our beautiful cameras that only the well-established could afford. We then passed through a period when an elderly screw camera spoke for itself in terms of the owners impecuniosity. This was eventually transformed into a complete reversal of the situation into that of today when a screw (film) camera draws a small crowd and swift reference to possible auction results !
How long can we continue? Digital cameras have been viable for, at most, 30 years but those are 30 years when enough new members, and continuing members, have shown an interest in what we do, largely in film processes. We now have a wider choice of printing methods and show no reluctance to accept todays quality inkjet work, and, in 'our size' any difference is less noticeable. A quick calculation suggests that on average over seven folios have been issued every year. At the present time this a believable rate. Despite virus constraints I would hope to maintain it, although further expansion of membership would force slightly faster circulation.
I should like to think that there are another 600 circulations somewhere in the idea of Circle 6 and I can say that using emails for about 20 years have not (personally) convinced me to adopt any more technology. My favourite mint Focomat is about 60 years old and has only been updated with a LED lamp from the original specification. I think that is about enough progress for now ! (Cries of 'Luddite' from the back of the house) Suffice it to say that I have derived more pleasure from this Circle than any other Photographic Club or Society I know. My work has even survived the size check by small steel ruler of one nameless member (long gone) who should perhaps have joined a model railway club!
On that note I shall revert to the usual good wishes and close by wishing you all a very successful year despite the desperate state of the nation. Paul Blanchard 30.3.2021
