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
I.A. Photography : negatives and transparencies / 1.b. Darkroom files : black/white II
Reference Code
V500 / A3 / 57-300
Date Range
1912-ca.1920
Physical Description
3 photographs : negatives, film
Scope & Content
Francis Morant photographs
Notes
NM notes: View of north Kamloops "Sandhill's area" 1912; believed to be view of Fish Lake, ca.1920; Francis Morant's orchard in north Kamloops, ca.1912
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 13 antique maps, 6 of which depict regions in India and 7 which depict regions in Germany. Content pertains to a small map collection originally issued to Tim Ffrench (?) during WWII which were later owned by Nicholas Morant. Some maps of reserves contain personal annotations and h…
Date Range
1868
1892
1894
1903
1904
1917
1921
1950
Reference Code
M300 / III / D / 5 / 54 to 66 O.S. & V500 / III / D / 5 / PA - 96 O.S.
13 Maps: print; b&w, and set of 4 rag paper mounts
Scope & Content
File consists of 13 antique maps, 6 of which depict regions in India and 7 which depict regions in Germany. Content pertains to a small map collection originally issued to Tim Ffrench (?) during WWII which were later owned by Nicholas Morant. Some maps of reserves contain personal annotations and highlighted/coloured routes; none of German maps are annotated.
File also contains set of 4 rag paper mounts, annotated. 3 naming artist Walter Wilcox (likely formerly held his works but are now blank). One labelled 'Model'.
Notes
Maps were originally stored together in one poster tube labelled:
"MAPS OF GERMANY INDIA See notes inside"
Shipping label: PLS HOLD Armand To Nicholas Morant 222 Melville Ave Westmount Montreal" (with two 3 - cent stamps attached)
Note inside, written by Nicholas Morant:
"These maps were among those issued to Capt. Tim Ffrench (?) preparatory to intelligence work done during W. War II"
Signed "Nick M."
Wilcox mounts were stored in brown paper packaging with several other blank mounts (disposed of). Labelled section of original paper packaging has been stored with mounts in oversize box for reference.
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
Poster with lithograph colour image of art by Louis Moen (Scotsman playing bagpipes in kilt, with Banff Springs Hotel in the background), promoting the 1931 Banff Highland Gathering. Includes text describing event and date.
The Banff Highland Gathering (September 3-5, 1931) was part of a series of cultural events which were directed by John Murray Gibbon between 1927 - 1931 and held across Canada. Gibbon was a publicist for the CPR for thirty years, and coined the concept of Canadian culture as a 'mosaic'.
Scope & Content
Poster with lithograph colour image of art by Louis Moen (Scotsman playing bagpipes in kilt, with Banff Springs Hotel in the background), promoting the 1931 Banff Highland Gathering. Includes text describing event and date.
Notes
Poster was stored in poster tube titled "BANFF HIGHLAND GAMES POSTER"
Shipping label: "648 MEETING PLACE SANDWICH BOX 55 BANFF ALTA T0L0C0"
Also has red stamp on white sticker: " TORONTO ONT. 8 IV '83 "
File consists of 4 published books. Contains 1 copy of 'New World Ballads' by John Murray Gibbons (1939) with a note to Nicholas Morant from the author inside; 1 copy of 'Tom Brown's School Days' (1894) with a certificate attached labelling the book as a prize for Mollie Wylde (Morant) dated 'Xmas …
John Murray Gibbons , Mollie Morant , R.C. MacBeth , Stephen Coleridge
Date Range
1894
1896
1921
1923
1931
1939
Physical Description
4 Textual Records: books
Scope & Content
File consists of 4 published books. Contains 1 copy of 'New World Ballads' by John Murray Gibbons (1939) with a note to Nicholas Morant from the author inside; 1 copy of 'Tom Brown's School Days' (1894) with a certificate attached labelling the book as a prize for Mollie Wylde (Morant) dated 'Xmas 1896'; 1 copy of 'The Romance of the Canadian Pacific Railway' by R.C. MacBeth (1931) signed by author and annotated by Nicholas Morant; 1 copy of 'Letters to My Grandson' by Stephen Coleridge (1921) with writing prize certificate for Nicholas Morant from the Victoria University Boys' School, dated 1923.
Storage Range
In file box M300 / III / D / 5 / 26 to M300 / III / D / 5 / 29
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 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 2 published books. Contains 1 copy of 'Canada's Great Highway: from the First Stake to the Last Spike' by J.H.E. Secretan (1924), annotated by Nicholas Morant; and 1 copy of 'The Rockies of Canada' by Walter D. Wilcox (1909) with topographical map of the Rocky Mountain region in ba…
File consists of 2 published books. Contains 1 copy of 'Canada's Great Highway: from the First Stake to the Last Spike' by J.H.E. Secretan (1924), annotated by Nicholas Morant; and 1 copy of 'The Rockies of Canada' by Walter D. Wilcox (1909) with topographical map of the Rocky Mountain region in back pocket.
Storage Range
In file box M300 / III / D / 5 / 46 to M300 / III / D / 5 / 47.