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 2 books; one 18th century, one 20th century stamp book. Includes 1723 copy of ‘A Life of Mahomet’ by Humphrey Prideaux; missing front/back covers, replaced with plain brown paper covers. Handwritten title ‘Mahomet’ written on front cover and side binding in different handwritings; …
Humphrey Prideaux (1648-1724) was born in Cornwall and eventually became a Doctor of Divinity. Prideaux was an author of multiple textual works pertaining to faith and particularly Christianity. He was the Dean of Norwich from 1702 until his death in 1724.
Scope & Content
File consists of 2 books; one 18th century, one 20th century stamp book. Includes 1723 copy of ‘A Life of Mahomet’ by Humphrey Prideaux; missing front/back covers, replaced with plain brown paper covers. Handwritten title ‘Mahomet’ written on front cover and side binding in different handwritings; front believed to be by Nicholas Morant (?), side unknown. Also includes book of Japanese stamps collected by Nicholas Morant; many not dated, various designs and sizes, annotated on covers with Nicholas Morant's personal ink stamp.
Storage Range
In file box M300 / III / D / 5 / 75 to M300 / III / D / 5 / 91
File consists of 66 b&w negative photographs (55 mm). Content pertains to the felling and transportation of a 2500 year old fir tree near Sooke, B.C. which was used for an exhibition in London. Images depict felled fir tree, logging machinery and employees, etc.
File consists of 66 b&w negative photographs (55 mm). Content pertains to the felling and transportation of a 2500 year old fir tree near Sooke, B.C. which was used for an exhibition in London. Images depict felled fir tree, logging machinery and employees, etc.
Notes
Contains numerous duplicates of several original images.
File consists of 2 posters printed (colour) on construction paper, advertising "A Talk Without Words" presentation by Nicholas and Ivy Morant. Posters have mostly identical texts, with variation in bottom text describing the location/date/time of presentation (one says "Ballroom Wednesday 8:30 P.M.…
"A Talk Without Words" was a sideshow presentation with musical accompaniment featuring Nicholas and Ivy Morant's professional and travel photography. The presentations were put on around the 1960's, and continued for about 15 years.
Scope & Content
File consists of 2 posters printed (colour) on construction paper, advertising "A Talk Without Words" presentation by Nicholas and Ivy Morant. Posters have mostly identical texts, with variation in bottom text describing the location/date/time of presentation (one says "Ballroom Wednesday 8:30 P.M.", two say "The Ballroom Sunday 9:00 P.M").
Notes
2 copies originally came from set of 52 and were selected for processing. The other 50 copies are currently in oversize storage with other non-annotated items from Nicholas Morant accession #7784 (upstairs vault).
Storage Range
In file box M300 / II / C / 6 / 1 to M300 / II / C / 6 / 8
& M300 / II / C / 6 / 70 to 72
File consists of 4 audiotape film reels with music content recorded by Nicholas Morant. Pertains to music/audio used in slideshow presentation series "A Talk Without Words" by Nicholas and Ivy "Willie" Morant (see "History/Bio"). Items (in order) are labelled "Introduction", "Showtape", "Introducti…
"A Talk Without Words" was an original presentation by Nick and Ivy "Willie" Morant featuring some of their photographs taken while travelling across Canada for work, as well as photographs from their travels in Peru. The presentation involved a brief introduction by Nick and Willie, followed by an approximately one-hour long slideshow accompanied by music which was recorded by Nick. The couple presented this slideshow, and similar variations, to the public for about 15 years (ca. 1950 to ca. 1965).
Scope & Content
File consists of 4 audiotape film reels with music content recorded by Nicholas Morant. Pertains to music/audio used in slideshow presentation series "A Talk Without Words" by Nicholas and Ivy "Willie" Morant (see "History/Bio"). Items (in order) are labelled "Introduction", "Showtape", "Introduction B" and "Showtape B".
Notes
Item S20/II/C/7/1 originally stored in brown paper Canadian Pacific mailing envelope with shipping label: "INTRODUCTION NICHOLAS MORANT BOX 1288 BANFF, ALBERTA CANADA"
Items S20/II/C/7/2 to 4 were attached by string tied around them.
Item S20/II/C/7/2 has label taped to inside of clear plastic container reading: "SHOWTAPE. Nova Scotia 123 Trees Prairies Quiet Places World at Feet Mountains 123 Exit Music."
Item S20/II/C/7/3 and S20/II/C/7/4 were in brown paper Canadian Pacific envelope labelled: "SHOWTAPE B INTRODUCTION B Excludes - Peru - Soundpix"
S20/II/C/7/3 in "Scotch Tape" brand box labelled "Introduction B .... Okay for Revere or Magnecord."
S20/II/C/7/4 in "audiotape" brand box labelled "Showtape B. Okay for Revere and Magnecord."
https://www.whyte.org/nicholas-morant-later-career
Also referenced in book "Nicholas Morant's Canadian Pacific" by John F. Garden (Revelstoke: Footprint Publishing, 1991) under chapter "A Talk Without Words"
File consists of a scrapbook containing magazine and newspaper clippings of articles and advertisements featuring Nicholas Morant's photographs. Also includes articles, notices, and ads for Morant's lectures and photography shows. Many clippings are the front covers of various Canadian magazine pub…
4.5 cm of textual records (139 pages ; 29 x 37 cm)
History / Biographical
See fonds level description.
Scope & Content
File consists of a scrapbook containing magazine and newspaper clippings of articles and advertisements featuring Nicholas Morant's photographs. Also includes articles, notices, and ads for Morant's lectures and photography shows. Many clippings are the front covers of various Canadian magazine publications.
Includes articles and ads for travel destinations throughout Canada, articles featuring other Canadian photographers, and pages from calendars.
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 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.
One yellow/beige mailing envelope, addressed to Nicholas Morant at home address in Banff. Handwritten label by Morant referencing "Rungius" (likely Carl Rungius), possibly the sender. Previously contained 4 non-annotated copies of Audubon magazine (November 1984 issue) which have been moved to box …
One yellow/beige mailing envelope, addressed to Nicholas Morant at home address in Banff. Handwritten label by Morant referencing "Rungius" (likely Carl Rungius), possibly the sender. Previously contained 4 non-annotated copies of Audubon magazine (November 1984 issue) which have been moved to box of non-annotated Morant textual content in upstairs vault (accn. 7784).
Notes
Various labels and stamps on front of envelope:
“RUNGIUS – AUDUBON” (in black marker)
“AUDUBON 950 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022” “Mr. Nicholas Morant P.O. Box 1288 Banff, Alberta T0L 0C0 CANADA” (blue and white mailing label on front centre)
Customs clearance stamp, Edmonton
“PRINTED MATTER” (stamp x2 on front)
“NEW YORK NOV. 20 ’84 N.Y. U.S. POSTAGE 1.81” (red ink postage stamp on white sticker)
File consists of 2 colour poster prints, paper, depicting copies of famous art pieces (previously framed and used as decorations in the Banff Springs Hotel), and one b&w poster of a steam train. Content pertains to paintings 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' by Vermeer and 'La Divina Commedia di Dante' b…
File consists of 2 colour poster prints, paper, depicting copies of famous art pieces (previously framed and used as decorations in the Banff Springs Hotel), and one b&w poster of a steam train. Content pertains to paintings 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' by Vermeer and 'La Divina Commedia di Dante' by Domenico di Michelino; also train image with faded print effect by Midwestern Rail Association.
Notes
Painting reprint posters were stored together in a cardboard poster tube with the following text labels on the outside:
"NICHOLAS MORANT BOX 1288 BANFF, ALBERTA CANADA"
"OLD BSH PRINTS. BSH HOTEL - II Bldg."
"O.H.M.S. FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CANADIAN NATIONAL PARKS BRANCH OTTAWA, CANADA"
'J.C. Campbell, Esq., c/o Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta."
(Handwritten): "These prints were originally exquisitely framed for use in rooms, suites and public rooms at the B.S.H."
"OLD B.S.H. PRINTS includes PIX of 'II' Hotel"
Train poster stored in poster tube labelled "DRAWINGS more to come (1, 2, 3)" with shipping address label: "Reed-Grove Ltd. 2111 East Avenue Rochester, New York 14610" "To Mr. + Mrs. Nichlas (sic) Morant Box 1288, Banff Alberta Canada".
Customs label: "PARCEL POST CUSTOMS DECLARATION - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA QTY: 1 DETAILED LIST OF CONTENTS: DRAWINGS VALUE (US $): 10 FIRST CLASS"
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