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 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 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 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.
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
File consists of 5 b&w negative photographs. Content pertains to the Banff Springs Hotel - includes inner views of terrace with models, and views of hotel golf course.
File consists of 5 b&w negative photographs. Content pertains to the Banff Springs Hotel - includes inner views of terrace with models, and views of hotel golf course.
Notes
Contains some duplicate images of Banff Springs Hotel golf course.
V500 / I / A7 / 26 - portion transferred to V500 / I / A7 / 10 (Oil and gas)
Consists of 9 transparency photographs (colour) and 44 negative photographs (colour, b&w). Content pertains to locomotives and box cars with new CP Rail logo. Locations include Gleichen AB, Spiral Tunnels BC and Vancouver(?) BC, Middleton Bridge and Horseshoe Lake. Photograph groups are labelled ac…
53 Photographs: negatives and transparencies, colour and b&w
History / Biographical
The CP Rail company logo was changed in 1968 to remove the image of a beaver which was previously included. The logo was changed again slightly in 1987; however, as Nicholas Morant retired from Canadian Pacific in 1981, these photos very likely depict the "new" CP Rail logo of 1968, providing an approximate date when these photos were taken.
Scope & Content
Consists of 9 transparency photographs (colour) and 44 negative photographs (colour, b&w). Content pertains to locomotives and box cars with new CP Rail logo. Locations include Gleichen AB, Spiral Tunnels BC and Vancouver(?) BC, Middleton Bridge and Horseshoe Lake. Photograph groups are labelled according to specific content/locations.
Notes
Transparencies and negatives stored in separate file boxes. Contains multiple duplicates of some of the photographs in different formats (colour transparencies, colour and b&w negatives).
File consists of 23 negative photographs (colour and b&w), 30 colour transparencies and 1 colour print. Content pertains to Banff National Park AB views. Includes Balfour Glacier, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Banff Springs Hotel, Banff Springs Hotel golf course, views from Chateau Lake Louise (1960s), Ti…
54 Photographs: negatives, transparencies, print; b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 23 negative photographs (colour and b&w), 30 colour transparencies and 1 colour print. Content pertains to Banff National Park AB views. Includes Balfour Glacier, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Banff Springs Hotel, Banff Springs Hotel golf course, views from Chateau Lake Louise (1960s), Timberline Hotel, Banff. Print photograph depicts bagpipe player near Banff Springs Hotel.
Notes
Contains duplicates. Negatives, transparencies and print stored in separate file boxes.
File consists of 126 colour transparencies, various sizes, most of which are individually titled. Content pertains to numerous landscape views across Canada (including scenes in British Columbia, Alberta, the Canadian prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia), with a majority depicting the Canadia…
File consists of 126 colour transparencies, various sizes, most of which are individually titled. Content pertains to numerous landscape views across Canada (including scenes in British Columbia, Alberta, the Canadian prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia), with a majority depicting the Canadian Rockies regions. Content also includes other assorted images pertaining to the Stoney Nakoda community, as well as Canadian Pacific tourism-related images.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / NS - 410 to 535 and V500 / III / D / 4 / NS - 1 to 9
File consists of 30 transparencies, various sizes. Contents pertain to Canadian Pacific Railway (most depict CPR trains), as well as some miscellaneous promotional / tourism - related images for Canadian Pacific. Other transparencies originally stored with contents of this file are now filed under …
File consists of 30 transparencies, various sizes. Contents pertain to Canadian Pacific Railway (most depict CPR trains), as well as some miscellaneous promotional / tourism - related images for Canadian Pacific. Other transparencies originally stored with contents of this file are now filed under V500 / II / C / 5 / NS - 73 to 93.
Storage Range
In file box V500 / II / C / 5 / NS - 1 to V500 / II / C / 5 / NS - 409
File consists of 117 negative photographs (colour, b&w) and 14 colour transparencies. Content pertains to explorer Samuel de Champlain's former residence, and historic monument located in Orillia, Ontario. Includes images of Champlain statue, inside home and of decorative insignia.
131 Photographs: negatives and transparencies; b&w and colour
Scope & Content
File consists of 117 negative photographs (colour, b&w) and 14 colour transparencies. Content pertains to explorer Samuel de Champlain's former residence, and historic monument located in Orillia, Ontario. Includes images of Champlain statue, inside home and of decorative insignia.
Notes
Contains numerous duplicates in various formats (negatives/transparencies, b&w/colour). Negatives and transparencies are stored in separate file boxes.
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.