The Nicholas Morant fonds consists of Morant's freelance work from his early days with the Winnipeg Free Press to his retirement from the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1981. It is national in scope and also includes some international material. The fonds is comprised of three series: I. Photograp…
Nicholas Everard Morant, 1910-1999, was a professional photographer based at Banff, Alberta, Canada. He was a Canadian commercial photographer of international repute and Canada's premier railway photographer of the 20th century.
Morant was born at Kamloops, British Columbia, the son of Francis and Mollie Morant. After attending the University School at Victoria, Morant served as Special Photographer to the CPR from 1929 to 1935 and again from 1944 to 1981. From 1935 to 1939, he was a cameraman for the Winnipeg Free Press, and from 1940 to 1944 worked with the Wartime Information Branch of the federal government (later to be known as the National Film Board Stills Division).
Morant had a prolific career as a freelance commercial, portrait, magazine, landscape and documentary photographer. His work appeared in numerous books and magazines, including Time, Life, Liberty, Saturday Evening Post, (Toronto) Star Weekly, Northern Sportsman, Reader's Digest, Country Guide, The Standard, National Home Monthly, Canadian Photography, Outdoor Canada, National Geographic, the Globe & Mail, Winnipeg Tribune, New York Daily News, and the two Canadian Pacific Railway magazines, The Spanner and Rail News.
Two wartime images were featured on postage stamps, while three landscape views appeared on Canadian $10, $50 and $100 bills. His images were also used for corporate annual reports, postcards, brochures, calendars and advertisements. From the 1950s to 1980s Morant gave public slide shows of his work, two of the most popular being "A Talk Without Words" and "The World At Your Feet".
Morant married Ivy May "Willie" Young in 1936 when he was a photographer with the Winnipeg Free Press. Beginning in 1929, and until the end of her life, Morant's travelling and working companion was his wife, "Willie," 1910-1986.
Scope & Content
The Nicholas Morant fonds consists of Morant's freelance work from his early days with the Winnipeg Free Press to his retirement from the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1981. It is national in scope and also includes some international material. The fonds is comprised of three series: I. Photography; II. Professional records; III. Personal and family records.
I. Photography series consists of: A. Negatives and transparencies, B. Transparencies, C. Prints, D. Other photographs. II. Professional records series consists of: A. Working records, B. Career records, C. Topical files. III. Personal and family records series consists of: A. Nick and Willie Morant, B. Nick Morant funeral and memorial, C. Francis and Mollie Morant, D. Collected material
Notes
Full summary of sub-sub-series levels:
I / A : 1) Darkroom Files [ a) Negative Albums b) Black/White Series I and II c) Colour Series I and II
d) Leica Negs ]
2) GD Files
I / B : 1) Presentations [ a) Topical Files b) Thematic Files ]
2) General Files
3) Other
I / C : 1) Print Files
I / D : 1) Exhibition and Display Prints
2) Photographs used by John Garden
3) Other Photographs
II / A : 1) Log Books
2) Notebooks
II / B : 1) Career Binders [ a) Postcards b) Brochures and Advertising c) clippings and articles
d) Calendar Photographs ]
2) Scrapbooks [ a) Content 1933 - 1946 b) Content 1940 - 1980 ]
II / C : 1) Numbered / Titled Files [ a) Group A b) Group B c) Group C d) Group D e) Group H
f) Group P g) Group R ]
2) Other Topical Files [ a) Railway; i) Timetables ii) Publications iii) Other
b) Photography; i) Textual Records ii) Print Material
c) Travel d) Exhibitions and Galleries e)Personal f) Other ]
3) Postcards, Greeting Cards and Ephemera Collection
4) Published Images and Text
5) Professional Photography
6) Promotional Items, Awards and Correspondence
7) Presentation and Interview Materials
III / A : 1) Correspondence
2) Personal Papers [ a) Personal Records b) Notes and Notebooks c) Lists and Card Files
d) Awards and Retirement ]
3) Personal Photographs
4) House Records [ a) Construction b) Household Records ]
5) Business, Financial and Legal Papers
6) Interviews, Reminiscences Personal Recordings
7) Other Records (Signs, Cartoons, Drawings, etc.)
8) Personal Correspondence and Notes
9) Travel Documents and Maps
III / B : 1) Nick Morant Funeral, Memorial and Estate
III / C : 1) Mollie Morant Papers
2) Other Family Papers
III / D : 1) Sound Recordings
2) Biographical Material
3) Other Papers and Photographs [ a) Burton Wheatley Family b) Other ]
4) Personal and Family Photography
5) Personal Interest and Gifts
File consists of 168 negative photographs (colour, b&w) and 54 colour transparencies. Content pertains to cruise ships, glaciers and scenery, travellers, activities in British Columbia and Alaska. Includes ships: Princess Kathleen (betw.1948 and 1952), Princess Marguerite II and Princess Patricia.
222 Photographs: negatives and transparencies; b&w, colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 168 negative photographs (colour, b&w) and 54 colour transparencies. Content pertains to cruise ships, glaciers and scenery, travellers, activities in British Columbia and Alaska. Includes ships: Princess Kathleen (betw.1948 and 1952), Princess Marguerite II and Princess Patricia.
Notes
Contains duplicates. Negatives and transparencies are stored in separate file boxes.
File consists of 45 negative photographs (b&w, colour) and 33 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway hotels: Algonquin Hotel, St. Andrew's NB; Digby Pines Hotel, Digby NS; Ascot Hotel, Montreal QC(?); and Le Baron Hotel, Sherbrooke QC.
78 Photographs: negatives and transparencies; b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 45 negative photographs (b&w, colour) and 33 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway hotels: Algonquin Hotel, St. Andrew's NB; Digby Pines Hotel, Digby NS; Ascot Hotel, Montreal QC(?); and Le Baron Hotel, Sherbrooke QC.
Notes
Some of photographs are duplicates. Negatives and transparencies stored in separate file boxes.
File consists of 51 negatives (b&w and colour) and 20 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway hotel, Banff AB. Includes exterior and interior views, views from the hotel and of the hotel from a distance; Banff area views, including Bow River, Bow Valley, Bow River boatho…
71 Photographs: negatives and transparencies; b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 51 negatives (b&w and colour) and 20 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway hotel, Banff AB. Includes exterior and interior views, views from the hotel and of the hotel from a distance; Banff area views, including Bow River, Bow Valley, Bow River boathouse, Banff Springs Golf Course; activities, including fishing, swimming, shopping, dancing to Moxie Whitney orchestra 1957, golf.
Notes
Negatives and transparencies have been stored in separate file boxes. Contains duplicates of some images.
Related to file V500 / I / A7 / 9
Consists of 39 negative photographs (colour and b&w) and 10 colour transparencies. Content pertains to views of Banff Springs Hotel golf course, various views of the hotel (interior and exterior) and surrounding property, and images of the Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel in Banff. Interior views inc…
49 Photographs: negatives and transparencies, colour and b&w
Scope & Content
Consists of 39 negative photographs (colour and b&w) and 10 colour transparencies. Content pertains to views of Banff Springs Hotel golf course, various views of the hotel (interior and exterior) and surrounding property, and images of the Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel in Banff. Interior views include lounges and dining room.
Notes
Transparencies and negatives stored in separate file boxes. Items in this entry include duplicate copies of the same image in different formats (i.e. transparencies/negatives, b&w/colour, varying dimensions) including outer view of front of Banff Springs Hotel and surrounding forest/grounds.
Mostly consists of size 5x7 images
Consists of 9 transparency photographs (colour) and 44 negative photographs (colour, b&w). Content pertains to locomotives and box cars with new CP Rail logo. Locations include Gleichen AB, Spiral Tunnels BC and Vancouver(?) BC, Middleton Bridge and Horseshoe Lake. Photograph groups are labelled ac…
53 Photographs: negatives and transparencies, colour and b&w
History / Biographical
The CP Rail company logo was changed in 1968 to remove the image of a beaver which was previously included. The logo was changed again slightly in 1987; however, as Nicholas Morant retired from Canadian Pacific in 1981, these photos very likely depict the "new" CP Rail logo of 1968, providing an approximate date when these photos were taken.
Scope & Content
Consists of 9 transparency photographs (colour) and 44 negative photographs (colour, b&w). Content pertains to locomotives and box cars with new CP Rail logo. Locations include Gleichen AB, Spiral Tunnels BC and Vancouver(?) BC, Middleton Bridge and Horseshoe Lake. Photograph groups are labelled according to specific content/locations.
Notes
Transparencies and negatives stored in separate file boxes. Contains multiple duplicates of some of the photographs in different formats (colour transparencies, colour and b&w negatives).
File consists of 23 negative photographs (colour and b&w), 30 colour transparencies and 1 colour print. Content pertains to Banff National Park AB views. Includes Balfour Glacier, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Banff Springs Hotel, Banff Springs Hotel golf course, views from Chateau Lake Louise (1960s), Ti…
54 Photographs: negatives, transparencies, print; b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 23 negative photographs (colour and b&w), 30 colour transparencies and 1 colour print. Content pertains to Banff National Park AB views. Includes Balfour Glacier, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Banff Springs Hotel, Banff Springs Hotel golf course, views from Chateau Lake Louise (1960s), Timberline Hotel, Banff. Print photograph depicts bagpipe player near Banff Springs Hotel.
Notes
Contains duplicates. Negatives, transparencies and print stored in separate file boxes.
File consists of 126 colour transparencies, various sizes, most of which are individually titled. Content pertains to numerous landscape views across Canada (including scenes in British Columbia, Alberta, the Canadian prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia), with a majority depicting the Canadia…
File consists of 126 colour transparencies, various sizes, most of which are individually titled. Content pertains to numerous landscape views across Canada (including scenes in British Columbia, Alberta, the Canadian prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia), with a majority depicting the Canadian Rockies regions. Content also includes other assorted images pertaining to the Stoney Nakoda community, as well as Canadian Pacific tourism-related images.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / NS - 410 to 535 and V500 / III / D / 4 / NS - 1 to 9
File consists of 30 transparencies, various sizes. Contents pertain to Canadian Pacific Railway (most depict CPR trains), as well as some miscellaneous promotional / tourism - related images for Canadian Pacific. Other transparencies originally stored with contents of this file are now filed under …
File consists of 30 transparencies, various sizes. Contents pertain to Canadian Pacific Railway (most depict CPR trains), as well as some miscellaneous promotional / tourism - related images for Canadian Pacific. Other transparencies originally stored with contents of this file are now filed under V500 / II / C / 5 / NS - 73 to 93.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / NS - 1 to V500 / II / C / 5 / NS - 409
File consists of 117 negative photographs (colour, b&w) and 14 colour transparencies. Content pertains to explorer Samuel de Champlain's former residence, and historic monument located in Orillia, Ontario. Includes images of Champlain statue, inside home and of decorative insignia.
131 Photographs: negatives and transparencies; b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 117 negative photographs (colour, b&w) and 14 colour transparencies. Content pertains to explorer Samuel de Champlain's former residence, and historic monument located in Orillia, Ontario. Includes images of Champlain statue, inside home and of decorative insignia.
Notes
Contains numerous duplicates in various formats (negatives/transparencies, b&w/colour). Negatives and transparencies are stored in separate file boxes.
File consists of 81 negative photographs (b&w and colour), 38 colour transparencies and 2 b&w prints. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway's Chateau Frontenac hotel in Quebec City, QC. Images include interior views of dining area and staged buffet dinner photos, bedrooms, and exterior views…
121 Photographs: negatives, transparencies and prints; b&w, colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 81 negative photographs (b&w and colour), 38 colour transparencies and 2 b&w prints. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway's Chateau Frontenac hotel in Quebec City, QC. Images include interior views of dining area and staged buffet dinner photos, bedrooms, and exterior views of hotel. Some photos dated 1964 and 1966.
Notes
Contains duplicates. Negatives, transparencies and prints stored in separate file boxes.
File consists of 35 negative photographs (b&w, colour) and 29 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway's Chateau Frontenac hotel, Quebec City QC; includes images of afternoon tea setup at hotel, salon and interior views of guest rooms.
64 Photographs: negatives and transparencies; b&w, colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 35 negative photographs (b&w, colour) and 29 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway's Chateau Frontenac hotel, Quebec City QC; includes images of afternoon tea setup at hotel, salon and interior views of guest rooms.
Notes
Contains duplicates. Negatives and transparencies stored in separate file boxes.
File consists of 41 negatives (b&w and colour) and 2 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway hotel, Quebec City, QC. Includes interior and exterior views, local area, activities, etc.
43 Photographs: negatives and transparencies; b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 41 negatives (b&w and colour) and 2 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Railway hotel, Quebec City, QC. Includes interior and exterior views, local area, activities, etc.
Notes
Negatives and transparencies have been stored in separate file boxes. Contains duplicates.
Related to files V500 / I / A7 / 45, 47
File consists of 124 negative photographs (b&w, colour), 30 colour transparencies and 2 colour prints, various sizes. Content pertains to interior and exterior views of the Chateau Lacombe hotel in Edmonton, AB.
File consists of 124 negative photographs (b&w, colour), 30 colour transparencies and 2 colour prints, various sizes. Content pertains to interior and exterior views of the Chateau Lacombe hotel in Edmonton, AB.
Notes
Contains duplicates. Negatives, transparencies and prints stored in separate file boxes.
File consists of 10 negative photographs (b&w and colour) and 4 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Chateau Lake Louise, Canadian Pacific Railway hotel, Banff National Park, AB. Includes exterior views, swimming pool, activities; also region, including Mirror Lake and lower village area. One…
14 Photographs: negatives and transparencies, b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 10 negative photographs (b&w and colour) and 4 colour transparencies. Content pertains to Chateau Lake Louise, Canadian Pacific Railway hotel, Banff National Park, AB. Includes exterior views, swimming pool, activities; also region, including Mirror Lake and lower village area. One image dated "ca. 1955".
Notes
Negatives and transparencies have been stored in separate file boxes.
Contains duplicates of some images.
File consists of 3 seperate series of coloured, machine printed lantern slides: PS-1 to PS-12 is a collection made by Gebruder Bing, Nurnberg (GBN Bavaria), Decalcomania, Germany.
[1] How to kill an annoying mosquito
[2] An awful accident in the snow
[3] A naughty boy deserves to be punished...
…
19 photographs : col. slides ; 22.5cm x 6.5 cm or smaller
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File consists of 3 seperate series of coloured, machine printed lantern slides:
PS-1 to PS-12 is a collection made by Gebruder Bing, Nurnberg (GBN Bavaria), Decalcomania, Germany.
[1] How to kill an annoying mosquito
[2] An awful accident in the snow
[3] A naughty boy deserves to be punished...
[4] Father Christmas brings you sweets
[5] Open your mouth please
[6] A Nosey parker
[7] A day in the life of a girl
[8] Children's games
[9] Where do the little children come from?
[10] The daily routine of the foxes
[11] The frog family takes a bath
[12] Animalworld
PS-13 to PS-18 is a collection called Artistic Series No. 1 made by Gebruder Bing, Nurnberg (GBN Bavaria), Declcomania, Germany.
[13] Caricature (slide 2 in original order)
[14] Pig and Dwarf (slide 5 in original order)
[15] The Rider's Misfortune (slide 6 in original order)
[16] Children's Quarrel (slide 7 in original order)
[17] The Clowns and the Bottle (slide 11 in original order)
[18] The Long Nose (slide 12 in original order)
PS-19 decpicts 5 caricature faces with the maker's mark obscured by a large crack.
Notes
Accompanying the slides was a slide box; white with a green removable lid. The box is made of thin cardboard and has wooden supports inside that hold the slides apart from one another. The box is in poor condition, with much of the top layer of white and green paper scratched, stained, and peeled off, especially around the corners. There are no distinguishing marks on or in the box.
File consists of 61 negative photographs (b&w and colour) and 30 colour transparencies, various sizes. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Oil and Gas Company (CPOG), specifically geologists, coal exploration, and trains. Alberta locations include Rosalind, Forestburg and Coleman. British Columbia…
91 Photographs: negatives and transparencies; b&w, colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 61 negative photographs (b&w and colour) and 30 colour transparencies, various sizes. Content pertains to Canadian Pacific Oil and Gas Company (CPOG), specifically geologists, coal exploration, and trains. Alberta locations include Rosalind, Forestburg and Coleman. British Columbia locations include Michel, Elk River Valley, Fort Steele area and Port Moody. Some images dated 1967.
Notes
Contains duplicates. Negatives and transparencies are stored in separate file boxes.