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 3 poster-sized calendars with colour and b/w prints created by Nicholas Morant, and one loose calendar page (colour). Includes one calendar dated 1949, promoting "E. J.(?) & A. Robinson Limited Canada", with image of 2 models and horse posing by Mt. Biddle and Lake Arthur; one cale…
File consists of 3 poster-sized calendars with colour and b/w prints created by Nicholas Morant, and one loose calendar page (colour). Includes one calendar dated 1949, promoting "E. J.(?) & A. Robinson Limited Canada", with image of 2 models and horse posing by Mt. Biddle and Lake Arthur; one calendar dated 1961, with image and descriptive text pertaining to a model steam locomotive and relevant history; one calendar by Canadian Allis-Chalmers Ltd. (1953) featuring Nicholas Morant b&w photograph titled 'Industrial Patterns' for the month of March; one loose calendar page, Allis-Chalmers Ltd., with large image by Nicholas Morant of man in red jacket fishing with mountain / forest background.
Notes
Mt. Biddle / Lake McArthur calendar was stored in a poster tube labelled:
"Calendar Lake McArthur" with torn shipping address label by Canadian Pacific addressed to "Banff, Alta." (presumably once addressed to Nicholas Morant).
Model Locomotive calendar stored in poster tube labelled:
"CALENDAR WITH MODEL LOCOMOTIVES"
Shipping label: "PLS HOLD Ernie." "N. Morant c/o E. Larson Esq. Box 49 BANFF Alberta"
Postage Stamp: "Mar. 18 '54 Montreal Quebec"
Paper cover inside with Canadian Pacific label: " Model Steam Locos - Calendar - "
Allis-Chalmers poster stored in poster tube labelled:
'ALLIS CHALMERS CALENDAR with Hugh Frith's pix of PAMIR under sail"
Address label: "CANADIAN ALLIS-CHALMERS LIMITED To Mr. Nicholas Morant, P.O. Box 63, Banff, Alta."
Canadian Pacific Label: "Allis-Chalmers Calendar Contains pix by Hugh Frith of 'Pamir'."
Contains 1 copy of 'The Silent Force' by T. Morris Longstreth (1927) with attached print and annotations; 1 field journal, lined, labelled 'G. T. P. Ry. No. 1060', signed by 'H.S. Jordan' listing property payment amounts in Vancouver, dated 1914-1916; 1 copy of 'Lake Louise: A Diamond in the Wilder…
Produced by T. Morris Longstreth , H.S. Jordan , Jon Whyte and Carole Harmon , Kathleen Mann , Arnold Newman
Date Range
1927
1939
1979
1982
Physical Description
Textual Records: books
Scope & Content
Contains 1 copy of 'The Silent Force' by T. Morris Longstreth (1927) with attached print and annotations; 1 field journal, lined, labelled 'G. T. P. Ry. No. 1060', signed by 'H.S. Jordan' listing property payment amounts in Vancouver, dated 1914-1916; 1 copy of 'Lake Louise: A Diamond in the Wilderness' by Jon Whyte and Carole Harmon (1982) with personal note to Nicholas and Ivy 'Willie' Morant by Jon Whyte; 1 copy of 'Design from Peasant Art' by Kathleen Mann (1939) containing various sketches and collected clippings by Ivy 'Willie' Morant; 1 copy of 'The Great British' by Arnold Newman (1979) with personal note to Nicholas and Ivy 'Willie' Morant from 'Carol and Don'.
Storage Range
In file box M300 / III / D / 5 / 30 to M300 / III / D / 5 / 34
Items in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Items in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Items in this file with risky materials attached to surface, such as adhesives, must be covered with an acid-free paper barrier to protect adjacent items.
File consists of 5 textual items, various authors. Content pertains to a copy of 'The Last of the Buffalo' given to Nicholas Morant in 1940 by Norman Luxton; an Illustrated booklet hand-drawn by Cyril Harris for Nicholas and Ivy Morant; a copy of 'Paintings from the Wild' by Clarence Pillenius; a 1…
File consists of 5 textual items, various authors. Content pertains to a copy of 'The Last of the Buffalo' given to Nicholas Morant in 1940 by Norman Luxton; an Illustrated booklet hand-drawn by Cyril Harris for Nicholas and Ivy Morant; a copy of 'Paintings from the Wild' by Clarence Pillenius; a 1946 journal publication containing a poem written by Mollie Morant; and a copy of 'Weathered Wood' by F.O. 'Pat' Brewster, signed.
Storage Range
In file box M300 / III / D / 5 / 1 to M300 / III / D / 5 / 11
File consists of 4 published texts (3 books and 1 chapbook) all annotated by Nicholas Morant. Content includes 1 copy of 'The Canadian' (1986), chapbook 'The Singing Gipsy' by Mollie Morant (1941), 'Reminiscences of a Raconteur' by George H. Ham (1921) with attached clipping inside, and 'Trail Life…
Produced by Canadian Pacific, Mollie Morant, George H. Ham, B.W. Mitchell
Date Range
1921
1924
1941
1986
Physical Description
Textual Records: books, chapbook
Scope & Content
File consists of 4 published texts (3 books and 1 chapbook) all annotated by Nicholas Morant. Content includes 1 copy of 'The Canadian' (1986), chapbook 'The Singing Gipsy' by Mollie Morant (1941), 'Reminiscences of a Raconteur' by George H. Ham (1921) with attached clipping inside, and 'Trail Life in the Canadian Rockies' by B.W. Mitchell (1924).
Storage Range
In file box M300 / III / D / 5 / 16 to M300 / III / D / 5 / 19.
File consists of 6 textual items (2 books, 4 booklets). Includes copies of the following texts:
- “Mammals of the Eastern Rockies and Western Plains of Canada” (A.L. Rand, 1948) with attached newspaper clipping inside about flying squirrel.
- “History of Lake O’Hara” (Lillian Gest, 1961) with signe…
File consists of 6 textual items (2 books, 4 booklets). Includes copies of the following texts:
- “Mammals of the Eastern Rockies and Western Plains of Canada” (A.L. Rand, 1948) with attached newspaper clipping inside about flying squirrel.
- “History of Lake O’Hara” (Lillian Gest, 1961) with signed note by author inside front cover.
- “They Came West” (F.O. ‘Pat’ Brewster, 1979) with handwritten note by author to Nicholas Morant inside.
- “The Rundle Adventure Story” (John Travis, 1968) with brief signed note by author inside.
- “The Death of Albert Johnson” (Frank W. Anderson, 1968) with several articles / clippings from 1985 & 1987 pertaining to ‘Mad Trapper’ Albert Johnson attached to inside of front and back covers.
- “The CPR Comes to Calgary” (CP Rail, 1975), signed ‘C. Wickstone’ on back cover.
Notes
Text “The Death of Albert Johnson” was originally stored in an envelope labelled “MAD HATTER” with additional annotations inside (see ‘Conservation’).
Storage Range
In file box M300 / III / D / 5 / 75 to M300 / III / D / 5 / 91
Items in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Items in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Envelope previously containing “The Death of Albert Johnson” has been kept with respective text in storage, in protective wrapping to prevent damage to adjacent items.
File consists of 24 large printed posters, colour. Content pertains to promotional tourism imagery produced by Nicholas Morant, depicting various Canadian landscapes and sights. Most of posters depict regions in or close to the Rocky Mountains, with additional images featuring areas in Nova Scotia …
File consists of 24 large printed posters, colour. Content pertains to promotional tourism imagery produced by Nicholas Morant, depicting various Canadian landscapes and sights. Most of posters depict regions in or close to the Rocky Mountains, with additional images featuring areas in Nova Scotia and Quebec and some which do not mention locations in their titles.
Notes
Items originally stored together in large poster tube, labelled :
"Montreal Quebec - 8 I '63 Canada Postage 15 [cents]"
"Mr. Nick Morant, P.O. Box 1288, Banff, Alberta. Department of Publc Relations Canadian Pacific Railway Company Windsor Station - Montreal 3, Quebec"
"OLD CP VIEWS - Kodaks - "
"CP Airline Plane / Chateau Frontenac / Sulphur Mt. Skyline View / Evangeline Church / Kick. Horse - Mt. Field / Kick Horse Canyon with Train / Empress Hotel / BS Hotel from Sulphur Mt. / Quebec Windmills / Yoho Valley Hi-Line Trail / Peggy's Cove / Thompson River View / Moraine Lake Scenic / Icefields / Yoho Valley / Lake Louise / Lake O'Hara / 'Canadian' Stoney Cr. / Freight nr. Lake Louise / Empress of Britain (painting)"
Storage Range
In oversize storage as V500 / II / C / 6 / PA - 14 O.S. to V500 / II / C / 6 / PA - 37 O.S.
File consists of 9 promotional posters (colour) for Canadian Pacific. Content pertains to images of different locations within the Canadian Rockies with the specific location listed below each photograph. Images produced by Nicholas Morant for purpose of promoting tourism to Western Canada. Feature…
File consists of 9 promotional posters (colour) for Canadian Pacific. Content pertains to images of different locations within the Canadian Rockies with the specific location listed below each photograph. Images produced by Nicholas Morant for purpose of promoting tourism to Western Canada. Featured locations include Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Rundle, and Moraine Lake; also images of a freight train travelling around Morant's Curve near Lake Louise, and 'The Canadian' train (close-up) turning a corner after crossing a bridge.
Notes
Originally stored together with June 1961 calendar, which has been moved to storage with other calendars under same sub-series. Items were kept in brown paper packaging, labelled:
"116 Old CPR Poster Scenics
Canadian - Stoney Creek
Freight - Diesel M-113
Moraine Lake Scenics 2x
Transport Truck
Vermillion Lake Scenic"
"Lou K 116"
"From: C.P. Windsor Station MONTREAL"
"Mr. Nick Morant c/o STATION AGENT BANFF, ALBERTA" (writing scribbled over with marker)
Items in this file are not to be accessed or distributed without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Reproduction Restrictions
Items in this file are not to be reproduced without the explicit permission of their identified copyright owners.
Language
English
Conservation
Items being stored together must be covered with a protective barrier such as acid-free paper to prevent damage from contact with adjacent items in storage.
File consists of 3 printed posters and 2 pages with blueprints/illustrations. Content pertains to colour advertisements for the Canadian Pacific Railroad (one promoting a new route to Thunder Bay via Winnipeg on the CPR, one advertising 'The Red Letter Day' in 1986 as the CPR opened up a direct lin…
6 Prints: posters and blueprints/illustrations; colour and b&w
History / Biographical
The Glacier House was originally built in 1886 to remove the burden of heavy dining cars by acting as one of multiple attractive pit stops for CPR passengers to take their meals. The building was expanded multiple times over the following 3 decades to accommodate a growing demand for overnight accommodation and increased railway traffic. Glacier House became less marketable by the 20's as dining service improved onboard trains, and the building closed in 1925. Plans were made for new extensions in 1926, but these were never realized.
Scope & Content
File consists of 3 printed posters and 2 pages with blueprints/illustrations. Content pertains to colour advertisements for the Canadian Pacific Railroad (one promoting a new route to Thunder Bay via Winnipeg on the CPR, one advertising 'The Red Letter Day' in 1986 as the CPR opened up a direct line from the Atlantic to Pacific coasts, and one reprint of a poster, date unknown, which originally promoted the CPR in the early 20th century). Also consists of a blueprint design for a proposed extension to the original Glacier House building in the Selkirks (dated 1926) and one print copy of a painted illustration depicting another proposed building design for the Glacier House, date unknown. The blueprint and illustration are possibly more recent copies of older items, and therefore a later date range of [ca. 1940 to ca. 1970] has been added to this file description.
Storage Range
In oversize storage as V500 / II / C / 6 / PA - 9 O.S. to V500 / II / C / 6 / PA - 13 O.S.