Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recording produced by and pertaining to Jimmy Simpson and the Simpson family. Material is arranged in seven series. I. Jimmy Simpson Sr. papers and photographs, ca.1901-1972, ca.74 cm of textual records, 23 photograph albums (ca.2875 prints), 425 tra…
2.5 m textual records. -- ca.1605 photographs: ca.755 prints, 410 negatives, ca.430 transparencies. -- 29 photograph albums (ca.3000 prints). -- 1 sound recording: audio disc
History / Biographical
Justin James McCarthy (Jimmy) Simpson, 1877-1972, was a trapper, guide and outfitter and lodge owner at Banff and Bow Lake, Alberta, Canada. Born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, Simpson was sent to Canada by his family in 1896. He worked briefly at Laggan (Lake Louise), Alberta for the Canadian Pacific Railway, travelled extensively and returned to the Rockies to work on the trail and trap. By the early 1900s, he was a successful guide and outfitter with Carl Rungius and the Alpine Club of Canada as clients. Starting in 1920, Simpson began building Num-Ti-Jah Lodge at Bow Lake as a base for hunting and climbing parties. Simpson and Williamina (Billie) Ross Reid, 1891-1968, married in 1916 and had three children. The lodge was run mainly by Billie Simpson and in 1945 the business was turned over to Jimmy Simpson Jr., 1922-2003 . Daughters Margaret Simpson, 1917-1941, and Mary Simpson (Hallock), 1919-2002, were internationally-famous figure skaters.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of papers, photographs and sound recording produced by and pertaining to Jimmy Simpson and the Simpson family. Material is arranged in seven series.
I. Jimmy Simpson Sr. papers and photographs, ca.1901-1972, ca.74 cm of textual records, 23 photograph albums (ca.2875 prints), 425 transparencies. Includes business and personal correspondence, business records and subject files, 1903-1972; literary papers, 1912-1972; and other papers, 1903- 1957. Business records pertain mainly to guiding, outfitting and hunting operations. Correspondents include Carl Rungius, J. Monroe Thorington, L. S. Amery, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, William S. Ladd, C. Hart Merriam, Allan Brooks and others; also federal and provincial government departments, Canadian Pacific Railway, etc., regarding hunting, game regulations, park boundaries, licences, permits, horses, etc. Albums pertain mainly to hunting trips, including those with Carl Rungius, Caroline Hinman and McAleenan family, ca.1901-ca.1920, 23 items. Transparencies pertain to McAleenan family trips.
II. Simpson family papers, photographs and sound recording, ca.1900-1987, ca.1.5 m of textual records, ca.675 photographic prints, 6 photograph albums (ca.460 prints), 410 photographic negatives, 1 sound recording. Textual records include large series of alphabetical files, 1907-1987; correspondence, ca.1910-ca.1985; school records, 1923-1936; Num-Ti-Jah Lodge registers, 1939-1957; other material, 1929-1942. Photographs pertain to Jimmy Simpson and family; friends and guests; lodges and camps, including Num-Ti-Jah Lodge; Banff home and community; pack trips; scenic views; other.
III. Billie Simpson papers, 1913-1968, 6.5 cm of textual records. Includes Billie Simpson correspondence, literary and dramatic papers.
IV. Simpson Sisters professional papers and photographs, 1929-1955, ca.20 cm and 3 v. of textual material, ca.15 cm of print material, 86 photographic prints. Material pertains to the professional skating career of Margaret Simpson and Mary Simpson.
V. Mary Simpson Hallock papers, 1960-1955, 1.5 cm of textual records.
VI. Jimmy Simpson Jr. papers, 1947-1983, 1 cm of textual records.
VII. Other material, before 1970, 1 cm of textual records and art works.
Series consists mainly of Jimmy Simpson Sr. business correspondence and financial papers. Records pertain to: guiding and outfitting; clients; hunting and pack trip arrangements; supplies and equipment; game availability; taxidermy; animal and plant research and specimens; government regulations …
Series consists mainly of Jimmy Simpson Sr. business correspondence and financial papers. Records pertain to: guiding and outfitting; clients; hunting and pack trip arrangements; supplies and equipment; game availability; taxidermy; animal and plant research and specimens; government regulations and licensing; importing and exporting; investments, insurance, taxes, stamp collecting, art work, hockey, figure skating, wartime rationing; other.
Includes correspondence from government officials and agencies, game commissioners, taxidermists and furriers, scientists and researchers, trading companies, suppliers, Alpine Club of Canada, Canadian Pacific Railway, Calgary Stampede, other businesses and organizations, and from individual business clients, colleagues and friends. List of major individual correspondents follows.
Content Details
MAJOR CORRESPONDENTS:
1903-1915: Philip R. Goodwin, C. Hart Merriam (Smithsonian Institute), Mitchell V. Mitchell, James F. Porter, Carl Rungius, Robert P. Sharples; some papers pertain to the Alpine Club of Canada and the International Boundary Survey (M78 / 1 to 8).
1916-1918: Dr. Henry Bugbee, Robert Frothingham, W. C. Gotshall, John D. Hazen, C. Hart Merriam, Bruce Paddock, Carl Rungius, Frederick Vreeland; includes pencil sketch (very faint) (M78 / 9 to 16).
1919-1920: William Beach, Brown Caldwell, Henry A. Colgate, Robert Frothingham, Philip R. Goodwin, J. B. Harkin, George Harrison, John D. Hazen, Caroline Hinman, Ulysses LaCasse, C. Hart Merriam, Morley Trading Co., John C. Phillip, Donald "Curly" Phillips, Walter Phillips; includes a legal document of an agreement between Jimmy Simpson Sr., Frank Wellman and T.E. Wilson (M78 / 17 to 24).
1921-1923: William Beach, Allan Brooks, Dr. Henry Bugbee, F. M. Carryl, James L. Clark, Louis A. Fuertes, Edward Feuz, Conrad Kain, Morley Trading Co., Martin Nordegg, William S. Ladd, Joe McAleenan, Bob Logan, Peterborough Canoe Co., John C. Phillips, Donald "Curly" Phillips, Carl Rungius, A. Thorburn, J. M. Thorington; Also include outgoing Jimmy Simpson letter (M78 / 25 to 34).
1924-1925: Sydney Baker, William Beach, Allan Brooks, Joseph Day, Louis A. Fuertes, Val Fynn, J. M. Gibbon, James L. Clark Studios, William S. Ladd, Julia Delafield Longfellow, Col. Phil Moore, Henry Munger, J. H. Munro, Carl Rungius, J. M. Thorington, Henry Nelson Tuttle, Guy Weadick, Walter Wilcox, William Wolfe; includes outgoing Jimmy Simpson letter (M78 / 35 to 42).
1926-1927: Sydney Baker, William Beach, Allan Brooks, Canadian Pacific Hotels, Alfred Castle, R.G. Collins, Joseph Day, William F. Embleton, Edward Feuz, Robert Frothingham, Mackay & Dippie Furriers, James L. Clark Studios, William S. Ladd, Henry Munger, Carl Rungius, A. Thorburn, J. M. Thorington, Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, Henry Nelson Tuttle, Arlene Voorhies, Guy Weadick, Arthur O. Wheeler, James T. Wilson (M78 / 43 to 49).
1928-1929: L. S. Amery, William Beach, Dyson Duncan, Robert Frothingham, Henry Greenham, E. Richardson (Calgary Exhibition and Stampede), Carl Rungius, James T. Wilson; includes a hand-drawn sketch map of Bush Mountain by Dyson Duncan (M78 / 50 to 57).
1930-1931: L. S. Amery, William Beach, Belmore Browne, Alfred Castle, Dyson Duncan, John K. Howard, Carl Rungius, J. M. Thorington (M78 / 58 to 66).
1932-1933: L. S. Amery, William Beach, Dyson Duncan, John K. Howard, R. B. Bennett, Henry S. Kingman, John Kellog, Carl Rungius, J. M. Thorington, Katharine L. Wedgwood (M78 / 67 to 72).
1934-1935: L. S. Amery, William Beach, Alfred Castle, Dyson Duncan, John K. Howard, John Kellogg, Henry S. Kingman, F.V. Longstaff, Alfred Ostheimer, J. M. Thorington, Katharine L. Wedgwood (M78 / 73 to 77).
1936-1937: Fred Armbrister, Donald Bain, William Beach, Alfred Castle, Marshall Diverty, Lillian Gest, J.M. Thorington (M78 / 78 to 82).
1938-1939: Rudolf Aemmer, Donald Bain, Alfred Castle, J. M. Thorington, James T. Wilson; some material pertains to Simpson Sisters (M78 / 83 to 88).
1940-1941: Abbott Junior Hockey Club, Alberta Fish and Game Association, Alfred Castle, Marshall Diverty, Caroline Hinman, A. Morsbach, Carl Rungius, James T. Wilson (M78 / 89 to 91).
1942-1943: Donald Bain, William Beach, Allan Brooks, Donald Hopkins, Raymond Patterson; some material pertains to Jimmy Simpson Jr. (in the army) and Num-Ti-Jah Lodge (M78 / 92 to 95).
1944-1947: Allan Brooks, Belmore Browne, Donald Hopkins, W. Mainwaring, Jimmy Simpson Jr. (M78 / 96 to 100).
1948-1972: L. S. Amery, Alfred L. Castle, J. M. Thorington (M78 / 101).
Duplicate certificate of title. -- 1903, 1911, 1942. -- 1 item of textual records. -- For Lot 8, Block A in Banff. Held in Oversize "B"
Sub-s-s-series consists of the following albums: Jimmy Simpson hunting trips, ca.1901, 179 prints (V577 / PD / 1). Hunting trips, 1903-1914, 583 prints (V577 / PD / 2). Carl Rungius trips, 1910-1912, 183 prints (V577 / PD / 3). Dr. H. Brooks hunting trip, 1911, 52 prints (V577 / PD / 4). Huntin…
Stereographs are photographs of the same subject taken from slightly different angles. These photos, displayed side by side in a stereoscope, would be viewed at close range, forcing the eye to overlay the two photos to create a 3D effect.
Stereoscopes could be hand held or mounted to a table or other surface. Stereographs could be made with a single camera, moved slightly from the first image taken; specialized dual-lens cameras streamlined the process.
Stereographs can be made with precious metals, glass, paper, and celluloid bases with any kind of photographic process.
Scope & Content
File consists of glass stereo transparencies depicting Grand Canyon scenic views, mountains, wildlife, and horse rides.
Notes
Box 2/3
[199 - 291] Grand Canyon trip [McAleeman photographer?]
Slides scanned prior to cleaning
Replace/repair binding tape where needed.
Finding Aid
Inventory available for V577/PS - 1 to 197
Biographical Source Notes
Mark Osterman, "Introduction to Photographic Equipment, Processes, and Definitions of the 19th Century," Focal Encyclopedia of Photography 4th edition, pg. 116.
Mainly stories, articles and notes written by Jimmy Simpson Sr. Includes original manuscripts and published items, including newsclippings. Also includes some letters. Titles include: A chapter of accidents; Bill Peyto, Colonist; When the moon broke through; Before the road went through; The Hon. G…
Mainly stories, articles and notes written by Jimmy Simpson Sr. Includes original manuscripts and published items, including newsclippings. Also includes some letters.
Titles include: A chapter of accidents; Bill Peyto, Colonist; When the moon broke through; Before the road went through; The Hon. George goes hunting; Green but not yellow; The tourist sportsman; My prize dude; Out on the deep, Soft snow; The long snowshoe trail; Days remembered; The Beginning; The Beginning, the middle & the end of a hunting trip; Trapping experiences; An adventure with a grizzly; Ovis Montana: The pride of the rockies; In the depths of solitude
Notes
Oversize stored in o.s. H
Content Details
Maclean's magazine. -- 1946 June 15. -- 1 item of printed matter. -- Includes: My Prize Dude, by Jimmy Simpson, page 12. Western Canada Outdoors magazine. -- 1936 June-July. -- 1 item of printed matter (2 copies). -- Includes: When the Moon Broke Through, as told to James Simpson, page 1. Held in oversize "H"
Consists of miscellaneous papers pertaining to Jim Simpson Sr., including certificates, programmes, memberships, articles and clippings, also drawing by Rick Grandmaison
Consists of miscellaneous papers pertaining to Jim Simpson Sr., including certificates, programmes, memberships, articles and clippings, also drawing by Rick Grandmaison
Notes
Oversize stored in o.s. H
Content Details
New York Herald Tribune magazine. -- 1932 October 16. -- 1 item of printed matter. -- Includes: Specter of Hoodoo Mountain, by Robert Frothingham, page 10, re Jimmy Simpson Sr. Held in oversize "H"
Art : includes cards, letters, invitations to openings and other events, poem tribute to Jimmy Simpson, articles, newsclippings, pamphlet (Notes on Organization) by Russell Robb; misc. photographs; 1946-1968 (M78 /109, 110).
Mother's Art : drawings by Billie Simpson?, n.d. (M78 / 111).
Alfred Castle : correspondence, 1964-1971, n.d. (M78 / 131).
D : greeting card from Frank Dennison, n.d. (M78 / 132).
Dad's Early Letters To Mother : letters from Jimmy Simpson Sr. to Billie, 1913-1920, 2 cm; combined contents of several files, titled and untitled (M78 / 133, 134).
Dog Case (NIX) 1930 : re shooting of Jimmy Simpson's dog, includes pedigree papers, 1929-1930 (M78 / 136).
Drama Club : letter from Captain Ramsay, articles re Henry Ibsen, Richard Sheridan and the English theatre (written by Billie Simpson?), n.d., 1934 (M78 / 137).
Dysan Duncan : greeting card, 1938 (M78 / 138).
E : correspondence, n.d., 1942 (M78 / 139).
F : greeting cards and letters, 1966-1972, n.d. (M78 / 140).
Fan Mail : letters, mainly re Simpson Sisters skating, 1937-1943 (M78 / 141).
Bill Field : greeting cards from W. O. Field, 1960-1966 (M78 / 142).
Hockey : newsclippings, some re Jimmy Simpson Jr. (M78 / 163).
J. K. Howard : greeting cards, also letter re death, 1963-1965, n.d. (M78 / 164).
I : file is empty.
Mother - Interesting Pictures etc. : misc. letters, cards, newsclippings, painting, photographs, re Jimmy Simpson Sr., Billie Simpson and friends, 1960-1969 (M78 / 165).
J : greeting cards, 1935, n.d. (M78 / 166).
1913 H. Johnson : one letter to Wilhelmina Reid, Sept.3, 1913 (M78 / 167).
Dr. Rbt Johnson : greeting cards, letters, 1957-1962 (M78 / 168).
K : greeting cards and letters, 1955-1962 (M78 / 169).
L : greeting cards, n.d. (M78 / 170).
Lander, Harry : letter to Wilhelmina Reid, 1910 (M78 / 171).
Leighton : A. C. Leighton greeting cards, newsclipping, etc., 1963, n.d. (M78 / 172).
Literature : misc. items incl. brochures, envelopes, greeting cards, business cards, etc. re Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, skating, Fort St. John, other, 1949-1964 (M78 / 173).
Longstaff : greeting cards, letter, photographs, re Jimmy Simpson Sr., F. V. Longstaff, 1952-1960 (M78 / 174).
Patterson, Raymond : correspondence, articles, 1954-1967 (M78 / 195).
Peabody, Sam : greeting cards, 1932-1934 (M78 / 196).
Re Peg : letters re death of Margaret Simpson, Sept. 1941; list of names of people who had sent letters re Margaret's death; Margaret Simpson's momentos and those to her family; other documents incl. death certificate; newsclippings; etc.; 1923-1987 (M78 / 197 - 201).
Special Letters : sympathy cards, letters, telegrams and list re deaths of Margaret Simpson, 1941, and Jimmy Simpson, 1972, includes items from political officials incl. Pierre Trudeau; letters, greeting cards and photographs sent to Jimmy, Billie and Mary Simpson; incl. Christmas card from Mr. & Mrs. Charles M. Russell to James Simpson, photographs, 1924-1987 (M78 / 214 - 216).
Swiss Guides : greeting card from Rudolf Aemmer, 1934 (M78 / 217).
T : greeting cards, 1959, n.d. (M78 / 218).
R. Thompson : correspondence, 1960-1967, n.d. (M78 / 219).
Williamina Simpson - Vital Statistics : birth certificate, marriage licence, obituary, items re baptism of Mary and Margaret Simpson, 1891-1968 (M78 / 231).
Letters from Jimmy Simpson Sr. to his family, 1935-1971, 4 cm. (M78 / 236-240). Letters from Billie Simpson to Margaret and Mary Simpson, 1940-1941, 1 cm. (M78 / 241). Letters from Billie Simpson to Mary Simpson, 1944-1955, 2 cm. (M78 / 242-243). Simpson family telegrams, 1930s, .5 cm. (M78 / 244…
Mainly Christmas cards from numerous sources: Carl Rungius, (M78 / 257); Peter and Catharine Whyte (M78 / 258); other sources, including L.S. Amery, Lillian K. Barrie, Fern Brewster (Clarkson), Mrs. Belmore Browne, T. Raffles Cox, Dahl family, M. Diverty, Gamow family, A. C. Leighton, N. Luxton fam…
II.B.2.b. Simpson family papers: Other correspondence: Cards
Reference Code
M78 / 257 to 259
Physical Description
ca.5 cm of textual records
Scope & Content
Mainly Christmas cards from numerous sources: Carl Rungius, (M78 / 257); Peter and Catharine Whyte (M78 / 258); other sources, including L.S. Amery, Lillian K. Barrie, Fern Brewster (Clarkson), Mrs. Belmore Browne, T. Raffles Cox, Dahl family, M. Diverty, Gamow family, A. C. Leighton, N. Luxton family, J.M. Thorington, Mrs. Dave White, Tom Wilson family, and others (M78 / 259).