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 4 hardcover books (various subjects) and 1 softcover Kodak booklet. Includes the following works:
- "Handbook of Old Pottery and Porcelain Marks" (C. Jordan Thorn, 1947) with Nicholas Morant stamp inside and signed "Ivy May Morant Banff, Alta." on first page; contains bookmark with…
File consists of 4 hardcover books (various subjects) and 1 softcover Kodak booklet. Includes the following works:
- "Handbook of Old Pottery and Porcelain Marks" (C. Jordan Thorn, 1947) with Nicholas Morant stamp inside and signed "Ivy May Morant Banff, Alta." on first page; contains bookmark with blue tassel; also with envelope of handwritten notes by Ivy "Willie" Morant attached inside. Envelope labelled: "Willie Morant (Ivy May) Some notes and reference research bearing on her collection of early chinaware. These made some weeks before she passed away... Banff 1986 April 15th"
- "Slater's Telegraphic Code" 5th edition (London 1906). Various signatures and handwritten notes inside, not by Morant
- “Kodak Data Book on Formulas and Processing” (n.d.). Some handwritten notes inside, other pages/clippings inserted with adhesives, several loose pages inside (some annotated).
- “The Venturesome Voyages of Captain Voss” (Rupert Hart-Davis, 1955). With Nicholas Morant stamp and attached clippings inside.
- Tilikum: Luxton’s Pacific Crossing” (Eleanor Georgina Luxton, 1971). Contains Nicholas Morant stamp and 2 attached clippings: blurb of the book glued to inside of front cover, and biographical page about Eleanor Luxton glued to inside of back cover.
Notes
“Kodak Data Book on Formulas and Processing” was stored with other booklet, “Ansco Formulas for Black-and-White Photography” (1952), non-annotated; both items were in white CP Rail envelope with handwritten title “FORMULAE”.
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
Items with adhesives and other risky materials inside must be monitored or possibly have acid-free paper inserted to prevent damage to adjacent materials
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
Printed paper sign, reads "POSITIVELY NO ADMITTANCE HOTEL CLOSED" (no date, no author). Part of a collection of items previously mounted or hung up in Nicholas and Ivy "Willie" Morant's Banff home.
Printed paper sign, reads "POSITIVELY NO ADMITTANCE HOTEL CLOSED" (no date, no author). Part of a collection of items previously mounted or hung up in Nicholas and Ivy "Willie" Morant's Banff home.
File consists of 1 postcard, 1 set of typed and annotated notes, 1 page with an attached card and newspaper clipping, and assorted memos, receipts and letters. Content pertains to correspondence between Nicholas and Ivy 'Willie' Morant and 'Clara A (?) K H' , correspondence between Nicholas and Ivy…
File consists of 1 postcard, 1 set of typed and annotated notes, 1 page with an attached card and newspaper clipping, and assorted memos, receipts and letters. Content pertains to correspondence between Nicholas and Ivy 'Willie' Morant and 'Clara A (?) K H' , correspondence between Nicholas and Ivy 'Willie' Morant, a 1935 Winnipeg Free Press article with an image by Nicholas Morant, a small folder of Nicholas Morant's typed notes recounting an unfinished story, receipts and correspondence ranging from 1957 to 1990 sent by various photography and film companies to Nicholas Morant, and 1982 handwritten letter on back of colour image of 2 trains, titled "The Great Daily Race of the Broadway and Century" (postcard?), sender unknown.
Notes
Postcard was originally located inside book 'It's Me O Lord' by Rockwell Kent, reference code M300 / III / D / 5 / 36
Handwritten note on back of M300 / III / A / 8 / 41 is cut off / incomplete at bottom.
Storage Range
In file box M300 / III / A / 8 / 1 to M300 / III / A / 8 / 41.
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
Any items with risky materials such as ink or adhesives attached must be covered with acid-free paper to protect adjacent items. Contents must be stored in appropriate conditions.
File consists of 5 maps, 3 stamps, ca.12 blank CP labels, 10 CP "value labels",1 notepad, 11 travel release forms (5 annotated) and 1 travel folder. Content pertains to travel documents and maps used by Nicholas Morant during work trips with Canadian Pacific and possibly some personal travel. Inclu…
Collected by Nicholas Morant; corporate records for Canadian Pacific owned by Canadian Pacific company
Date Range
1930
1946
1947
[ca. 1950 - ca. 1975]
1966
1977
1978
Physical Description
ca. 43 Textual records: maps, stamps, labels, notepad, small travel folder, release forms
Scope & Content
File consists of 5 maps, 3 stamps, ca.12 blank CP labels, 10 CP "value labels",1 notepad, 11 travel release forms (5 annotated) and 1 travel folder. Content pertains to travel documents and maps used by Nicholas Morant during work trips with Canadian Pacific and possibly some personal travel. Includes maps of Alberta, Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park; professional supplies (travel forms, shipping labels); 14-cent Canadian stamps (from XI Commonwealth Games in 1978); notepad with 2 pages of notes written by Nicholas Morant; and small blue travel-sized folder with pockets with CP Transport label on front.
Notes
CP Rail labels, stamps, value labels, blue folder and notepad originally stored in plastic wrapping labelled "ENVELOPES PAPER STAMPS VALUE LABELS"
Travel release forms were originally stored in blue/grey CP Rail mailing envelope labelled "RR Releases" (stored in separate folder in same box)
1966 map of Alberta (fold-out map) and 3 maps of national parks were originally stored in large blue/grey Canadian Pacific envelope labelled "MAPS - PARKS ALBERTA SASKATCHEWAN ONTARIO"
Large map of Alberta formerly stored in unlabelled plastic yellow bag with red cloth border (removed for conservation purposes)
Items in this file were part of an original set of ca. 75 items; excess duplicates, blank pages and envelopes, non-annotated maps not relevant to the Canadian Rockies, etc. were discarded.
File consists of 17 cards and letters, 5 pages of handwritten notes and one newspaper clipping. Content pertains to collection of personal notes/correspondence kept by Willie Morant, including letters from friends and anniversary cards sent between herself and husband Nicholas Morant on their 46th …
File consists of 17 cards and letters, 5 pages of handwritten notes and one newspaper clipping. Content pertains to collection of personal notes/correspondence kept by Willie Morant, including letters from friends and anniversary cards sent between herself and husband Nicholas Morant on their 46th and 48th wedding anniversaries (1982 and 1984); inventory lists and notes in pen by Nicholas Morant, keeping track of photographs to be used in one of John Garden's books, "Nicholas Morant's Canadian Pacific" (1991) or "Nicholas Morant's Canada" (1998), with illustrations drawn by Morant on one of the pages; clipping of news article (December 1990) discussing Thomas Tyron's art book jacket, with message possibly written by Jon Whyte (?) at top.
Notes
Envelopes which originally held Willie's cards/notes collection and Nicholas Morant's handwritten notes are stored in folder behind their respective items. Items