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 40 b&w prints, mainly depicting professional portraits of individuals. Individuals in images include Charlie Beil, Carl Rungius, and several other unnamed artists and trades workers. File also contains images of staged scenes used in advertising by Canadian Pacific.
Charlie Beil and Carl Rungius were both famous artists in the Banff area from the first half of the 20th century. Beil (1894-1976) moved to Banff in 1930 and was known for his paintings and bronze sculptures. He married Olive Luxton, the niece of Norman Luxton, in 1940. Rungius (1869-1959) was originally born in Germany and was famous for his landscape and wildlife paintings.
Scope & Content
File consists of 40 b&w prints, mainly depicting professional portraits of individuals. Individuals in images include Charlie Beil, Carl Rungius, and several other unnamed artists and trades workers. File also contains images of staged scenes used in advertising by Canadian Pacific.
Notes
Originally stored in box labelled 'Personalities'
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / Pa - 1 to V500 / II / C / 5 / Pa - 325
Access Restrictions
Photographic prints in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Photographic prints in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Prints with ink or other risky materials attached need to be stored in mylar to protect adjacent prints. File must be stored in appropriate conditions with other prints.
File consists of 47 b&w photographic prints, various sizes. Prints pertain to various topics, including images of wartime manufacturers, individuals working with model trains and ships, fighter planes, two photographs pertaining to a dog show, portraits of several individuals, and three images of S…
Three images within the file are of Sheila Morgan, a model who Nicholas Morant worked with at the Algonquin Resort Hotel in New Brunswick, likely some time in the 1940's. The Algonquin Resort was bought by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1903 and sold to private owners in 1970.
Scope & Content
File consists of 47 b&w photographic prints, various sizes. Prints pertain to various topics, including images of wartime manufacturers, individuals working with model trains and ships, fighter planes, two photographs pertaining to a dog show, portraits of several individuals, and three images of Sheila Morgan at the Algonquin Resort Hotel (New Brunswick) which were used in advertising.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 1 to V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 325
Photographic prints in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Photographic prints in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Prints with ink or other risky materials attached need to be stored in mylar to protect adjacent prints. File must be stored in appropriate conditions.
File consists of 85 b&w prints and 1 colour print, various sizes. Content pertains to CPR, construction sites, horses and ranching, wildlife/landscapes, Indigenous art, and images from scenes in several provinces across Canada (BC, AB, NB, NS, QC) created for use in Canadian Pacific travel promotio…
Produced by Nicholas Morant and Ivy 'Willie' Morant
Date Range
[ca. 1935 - ca. 1940]
[ca. 1950 - ca. 1960]
[ca. 1980 - 1986]
Physical Description
86 Photographs: prints; b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 85 b&w prints and 1 colour print, various sizes. Content pertains to CPR, construction sites, horses and ranching, wildlife/landscapes, Indigenous art, and images from scenes in several provinces across Canada (BC, AB, NB, NS, QC) created for use in Canadian Pacific travel promotions. Also contains three portrait images of Stoney Nakoda chiefs including John Hunter and Jacob Two-Young-Man, and two images of an older Nicholas Morant (at least one taken by Ivy 'Willie' Morant, depicting Nicholas Morant in train tunnel holding camera equipment). Many images in this file are stamped on the reverse side as property of Miller Services Ltd.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 326 to V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 648
File consists of 37 prints (36 b&w and 1 colour), and 1 paper clipping. Consists mostly of portrait images of various individuals, some artists and manufacturers, including one of young Peter and Catharine Whyte which has been reproduced by the Whyte Museum (PA - 112). Most images in this file are …
37 Photographs: prints; b&w and colour. 1 paper clipping.
Scope & Content
File consists of 37 prints (36 b&w and 1 colour), and 1 paper clipping. Consists mostly of portrait images of various individuals, some artists and manufacturers, including one of young Peter and Catharine Whyte which has been reproduced by the Whyte Museum (PA - 112). Most images in this file are annotated by Nicholas Morant.
Notes
One of images produced by Jim Wallace, 1974.
Storage Range
In file box V500 /II / C / 5 / PA - 1 to V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 325
Photographic prints in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Photographic prints in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Prints and other items with ink or other risky materials attached need to be stored in mylar to protect adjacent prints. File must be stored in appropriate conditions with other prints.
File consists of 41 photographic prints (32 b&w and 9 colour). Content pertains to the CPR and Canadian Pacific companies, Canadian landscapes (including Mount Assiniboine), a portrait of Jimmy Simpson Sr., and three images (mounted and signed by Nicholas Morant) depicting female models posing with…
Jimmy Simpson Sr. was a backpacker and outfitter in the Banff / Rocky Mountains region. He built the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge near Bow Lake which him and his wife Williamina ran from 1920 - 1945, and led many hunting and climbing expeditions in the area. Jimmy and Williamina had three children: Jimmy Simpson Jr. (who took over the Lodge in 1945), and daughters Margaret and Mary Simpson who became famous as professional ice skaters, the 'Simpson Sisters' in the late 1930's.
Scope & Content
File consists of 41 photographic prints (32 b&w and 9 colour). Content pertains to the CPR and Canadian Pacific companies, Canadian landscapes (including Mount Assiniboine), a portrait of Jimmy Simpson Sr., and three images (mounted and signed by Nicholas Morant) depicting female models posing with skis and skates.
Notes
Items V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 1 to 4 are stored separately in file box with items V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 649 to 688
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 5 to V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 41 O.S.
Prints in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Prints in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Prints with ink or other risky materials attached need to be stored in mylar to protect adjacent prints. Items must be stored in appropriate conditions.
File consists of 49 b&w prints, various sizes, pertaining to a wide range of topics and dates. Contains professional photographs of Nicholas Morant at various ages, some of him working; picture of Nicholas Morant by Ivy Morant (1949) in a Beefeater costume, posing for a cover photograph for Christm…
Produced by Nicholas Morant, Ivy 'Willie' Morant, Laird Brown and Ace Williams
Date Range
[ca. 1930 - ca. 1940]
[ca. 1940 - ca. 1944]
1949
[ca. 1950 - ca. 1960]
1964
ca. 1979
[ca. 1980]
Physical Description
49 Photographs: prints; b&w
Scope & Content
File consists of 49 b&w prints, various sizes, pertaining to a wide range of topics and dates. Contains professional photographs of Nicholas Morant at various ages, some of him working; picture of Nicholas Morant by Ivy Morant (1949) in a Beefeater costume, posing for a cover photograph for Christmas dinner menus at Empress Hotel, 1949; pictures by unknown photographer(s) of Nicholas Morant taking WWII action shots, and other photographs by Morant of soldiers; other miscellaneous photographs by Nicholas Morant of balance beam performers, factory workers, staged promotional images, etc.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 326 to V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 648
Photographic prints in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Photographic prints in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Prints with ink or other risky materials attached need to be stored in mylar to protect adjacent prints. File must be stored in appropriate conditions.
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 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 65 b&w and 30 colour prints, various sizes. Photographs pertain to Nicholas and Willie Morant and the CPR; include photographs of Nicholas Morant at various ages while working professionally, including some taken by his wife Ivy 'Willie' Morant. Also contains photographs of Ivy and…
Produced by Nicholas Morant and Ivy 'Willie' Morant
Date Range
1938
1940 - 1944
[ca. 1940 - ca. 1955]
[ca. 1970?]
ca. 1979
[ca. 1980 - ca. 1990]
Physical Description
95 Photographs: prints; b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 65 b&w and 30 colour prints, various sizes. Photographs pertain to Nicholas and Willie Morant and the CPR; include photographs of Nicholas Morant at various ages while working professionally, including some taken by his wife Ivy 'Willie' Morant. Also contains photographs of Ivy and Nicholas Morant together and photographs of Ivy Morant. Nearly all colour prints and several b&w images pertain to the CPR and depict active trains (various dates).
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 326 to V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 648
File consists of 79 colour prints and 14 b&w prints pertaining to the CPR. Content includes various images of active Canadian Pacific trains, CP workers and stencil/logo production, 2 b&w prints of text (one old CP advertisement poster and one excerpt from a railway-related text), and two copies of…
File consists of 79 colour prints and 14 b&w prints pertaining to the CPR. Content includes various images of active Canadian Pacific trains, CP workers and stencil/logo production, 2 b&w prints of text (one old CP advertisement poster and one excerpt from a railway-related text), and two copies of much older prints (late 19th/early 20th century) reproduced by Nicholas Morant.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 326 to V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 648
Prints in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Prints in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Prints with ink or other risky materials attached need to be stored in mylar to protect adjacent items. Files must be stored in appropriate conditions.
File consists of 2 b&w and 2 colour prints, oversize (various dimensions). Content pertains to CPR trains, railway construction and a lone horseman riding in the mountains.
File consists of 2 b&w and 2 colour prints, oversize (various dimensions). Content pertains to CPR trains, railway construction and a lone horseman riding in the mountains.
Notes
Images were originally stored in large yellow envelope mailed to Nicholas Morant at his Banff address ('PO Box 1288'), sent by Max Jacquiard.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 649 to 688 and V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 1 to 4 O.S.
Prints in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Prints in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Prints with ink or other risky materials attached need to be stored in mylar to protect adjacent items. Files must be stored in appropriate conditions.
File consists of images pertaining to CPR trains, tradespeople working outdoors, manufacturers, and wildlife, as well as 4 colour copies of an image of Vermillion Lakes by Nicholas Morant and a colour photograph of an unnamed woman posing with Santa.
File consists of images pertaining to CPR trains, tradespeople working outdoors, manufacturers, and wildlife, as well as 4 colour copies of an image of Vermillion Lakes by Nicholas Morant and a colour photograph of an unnamed woman posing with Santa.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 1 to V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 325
File consists of 10 photographic prints, (9 mounted and 1 loose, 8 b&w and 2 colour). Content includes multiple Canadian scenic photographs, (ships, winter scenes, landscapes), a gag photo of Nicholas Morant and another unidentified man titled 'Onions', a view of a village, possibly in Peru, depict…
File consists of 10 photographic prints, (9 mounted and 1 loose, 8 b&w and 2 colour). Content includes multiple Canadian scenic photographs, (ships, winter scenes, landscapes), a gag photo of Nicholas Morant and another unidentified man titled 'Onions', a view of a village, possibly in Peru, depicting a person with a donkey travelling down a dirt road, and a gag photo of Morant wearing glasses and a hat (with caption "The Author (as a young man)" written on the back). Many of the prints in this file were taken early in Nicholas Morant's career (ca. 1936 - 1940), and most are dated and signed by Morant. One attributed to 'Associated Screen News', creator unknown.
Notes
Some of these photographs may have been published and used for professional purposes following their creation. However, the specific copies of the photographs contained within this file were used by Nicholas Morant for personal display, and therefore have been categorized as personal photography.
Each print within this file was originally framed, and recently removed due to storage and conservation reasons. Some of these frames were annotated as follows:
PA Oversize - 3: Label on back of frame reads "Hudson's Bay Company ART DEPARTMENT 13760 WINNIPEG" and "13760"
PA Oversize - 7: Label on back of frame reads "The T. EATON Co. Limited OF MONTREAL PICTURE DEPARTMENT 47998 - 6"
PA Oversize - 11: "NICHOLAS MORANT BOX 1288 BANFF ALBERTA" "Photo made at Kamloops B.C. 1936" "4827" (in large writing)
PA Oversize - 12: "4827" (in large writing)
File consists of 5 b&w photographs. Content pertains to sample portraits by Jack Powell (ordered by Nicholas Morant through Ilford Photo Canada company) illustrating textured photography effects; each photograph uses a different style of effect. No date.
File consists of 5 b&w photographs. Content pertains to sample portraits by Jack Powell (ordered by Nicholas Morant through Ilford Photo Canada company) illustrating textured photography effects; each photograph uses a different style of effect. No date.
Notes
Originally stored in small white envelope, labelled "ETCHING SCREENS by Jack Powell" with Nicholas Morant stamp on front; labelled "Mt Balfor, Nick Morant 20 x 24 Crop Flare from Sky" ("ARCHIVES OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES" text logo at bottom)
Smaller envelope containing prints was originally in larger cream-coloured envelope with "ILFORD ILFOBROM SURFACE SAMPLE PRINTS" labelled on front;
Back labelled: "ILFORD Photo (Canada) Limited 2751 John Street, Markham, Ontario L3R 2Y8"
"ETCHING SCREENS Powell Process 2 Kodak Pamphlets ILFOBROM Samples"
3 other non-annotated booklets, titled "Kodak Photographic Materials Guide" (n.d.), "A Guide to Kenko Filters" (n.d.) and "Kodak Color Films" (1968) originally stored in larger cream envelope with prints; have been moved to "Accn. 2014.8346 Non-Annotated" file box in upstairs vault.
Back of each photograph also has Jack Powell copyright stamps
File consists of 90 b&w prints pertaining to the CPR, with most images depicting active Canadian Pacific trains. Prints were used in John F. Garden's book, 'Nicholas Morant's Canadian Pacific' (1992), published by Footprint Publishing. Prints each have attached information signifying the page numbe…
File consists of 90 b&w prints pertaining to the CPR, with most images depicting active Canadian Pacific trains. Prints were used in John F. Garden's book, 'Nicholas Morant's Canadian Pacific' (1992), published by Footprint Publishing. Prints each have attached information signifying the page number they appear on, zoom percentage of photographs, etc.
Notes
Prints originally stored together in a black binder titled 'Footprint' and 'Canadian Pacific', numbered '78920' on cover. Items' folders have been kept together and labelled similarly.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 1 to V500 / II / C / 5 / PA - 325
File consists of ca. 4,700 photographs (ca. 3900 negatives, ca. 800 transparencies and 35 prints), b&w and colour, various sizes. Content pertains to the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Includes CP Oil and Gas (CPOG); various hotels including Banff Springs Hotel, Empress Hotel, Royal York Hotel, …
ca. 4,670 Photographs: negatives, transparencies and prints; b&w, colour
Scope & Content
File consists of ca. 4,700 photographs (ca. 3900 negatives, ca. 800 transparencies and 35 prints), b&w and colour, various sizes. Content pertains to the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. Includes CP Oil and Gas (CPOG); various hotels including Banff Springs Hotel, Empress Hotel, Royal York Hotel, Chateau Frontenac and Chateau Lacombe; logging and forestry projects; Rail News photographs; and photos from Mexico and Peru. Dates range from around 1950s - 1970s. Most photographs titled.
Notes
Negatives, transparencies and prints stored separately. Contains duplicates.
1 framed print, black and white, titled 'Hermit's Hut Castle Mt'. Attached clear plastic pocket at back of the frame holding a biographical article about Harry Pollard (presumably the creator of the photograph).
Harry Pollard (1880 - 1968) was a famous photographer in Western Canada, who was notable for his photography of Canadian Indigenous peoples and cultures. From the Provincial Archives of Alberta:
"In 1924 the Associated Screen News, a subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), hired [Harry] Pollard to photograph their global ocean cruises for promotional purposes. It was this job that took him around the world 14 times".
Scope & Content
1 framed print, black and white, titled 'Hermit's Hut Castle Mt'. Attached clear plastic pocket at back of the frame holding a biographical article about Harry Pollard (presumably the creator of the photograph).
File consists of 13 b&w prints, signed by Nicholas Morant, which were given to John Garden by Nicholas Morant for use in his books "Nicholas Morant's Canada" (pub. 1998) and "Nicholas Morant's Canadian Pacific" (pub. 1991). Includes images of Canadian landscapes, portraits, rural scenes, etc.
File consists of 13 b&w prints, signed by Nicholas Morant, which were given to John Garden by Nicholas Morant for use in his books "Nicholas Morant's Canada" (pub. 1998) and "Nicholas Morant's Canadian Pacific" (pub. 1991). Includes images of Canadian landscapes, portraits, rural scenes, etc.
Approx. 103 b&w prints and 6 colour prints loaned to John Garden by Nicholas Morant for use in his books "Nicholas Morant's Canada" (pub. 1998) and "Nicholas Morant's Canadian Pacific" (pub. 1991). Includes images of trains, portraits, boat tour/cruise pictures and other miscellaneous content.
Approx. 103 b&w prints and 6 colour prints loaned to John Garden by Nicholas Morant for use in his books "Nicholas Morant's Canada" (pub. 1998) and "Nicholas Morant's Canadian Pacific" (pub. 1991). Includes images of trains, portraits, boat tour/cruise pictures and other miscellaneous content.
Notes
Some of earlier prints signed by Nicholas Morant
Storage Range
In file box V500 / I / D2 / PA File 1 to 3 (file folder 3)