14 photographs : b&w and col. slides ; 10.2 x 8.2 cm
History / Biographical
The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was officially formed in Februray, 1881, to construct a railroad that would link the eastern provinces with British Columbia, a key component of the Canadian Confederation of 1867. Headed by William C. Van Horne as General Manager, the railroad arrived in the Canadian Rockies in 1883 and a siding was established just east of present-day Banff. When railroad workers discovered a natural hot spring on the south side of the Bow River, Van Horne ordered the construction of a hotel that would house visitors brought in by train to visit the springs. Construction of the Banff Springs Hotel finished in 1888 and joined a handful of CPR hotels throughout the Rocky and Selkirk Mountain ranges. The popularity of the hot springs and surrounding area led to the formation of a national park and to the town of Banff.
After construction of the railway had completed, the CPR continued to survey and document the Rocky Mountains alongside federal agencies like the Department of the Interior and private outfitters. Utilizing coloured lantern slides the CPR was able to showcase the mountains as both tourist and settlement destinations. Magic lantern shows of these slides could be used for administrative purposes by the company to showcase land holdings and investments or in public shows as advertisements of the new railway.
Scope & Content
Series consists of 14 lantern slides [ca.1900-ca.1925]. Slides are views along the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Series contains 35 children's magic lantern slides done in colour, machine-printed rather than hand-painted. There are 4 distinct grouping of the slides: 2019.88-1-12 depict the story "The Transvaal War" [manufactured in 1895?]. Each slide has 3 seperate images with black borders and are numbered s…
The Ernst Plank Company (EP) was located in Nerumberg, Germany and operated from 1866 until 1930. The company was known for their production of copper and tin toys, specifically stationary and locomotive toy steam engines and carriages, they also produced a variety of magic lanterns and lantern slides. When they first began producing lantern slides, the standard shape of a slide was a square piece of glass about 8cm x 8cm and, depending on the style of magic lantern being used, may have a wooden frame built around the glass. Styles changed as methods for printing slides and lantern designs advanced – by the 1880’s the wooden frame was removed entirely from the slides and replaced with thin strips of coloured binding tape that protected fingers from the glass edges.
Originally, hand painted black silhouette images on glass or wax paper were used to create projected pictures, followed closely by the use of colour paints to create entire scenes. Printed images soon replaced hand-painted slides, allowing for cheaper production and more widespread use.
A popular format for commercially manufactured lantern slides was a long piece of glass (usually no more than 23cm long) on which multiple images could be printed in order to tell a smoother story. This allowed for two different kinds of display. The first display has smaller pictures printed in circular or square frames with a solid black border and shown as independent images of a larger narrative with pauses in between. The second display option for these slides is as a panoramic scene with the entire area coloured in (or just with figures displayed like on a stage) so they could seamlessly slide from one side to the other.
This long thin kind of slide was ideal for home use and could be easily handled by children. Ernst Plank also produced a toy magic lantern out of lightweight tin that could be lit with a small oil lamp specifically for use by children. Slides meant for that kind of lantern were printed on celluloid or on a single plane of glass with a thin layer of transparent lacquer to protect the image. This created a thinner, more lightweight and less delicate slide ideal for small hands. When a toy magic lantern was purchased it came with 1 or 2 sets (each set consisting of 12 slides) in the lantern’s box, additional sets of a particular theme could be purchased independently.
Magic lanterns varied greatly in design and material depending on the use. Professional showmen would have multi-lens lanterns lit by powerful chemicals or high-voltage lightbulbs that would allow them to project clear images onto a large screen for a theater audience. There were also simpler lanterns that could be powered by oil lamps, multi-wick candles, gas lighting, or electricity in the home. One of the most popular themes for slide shows where images from international travel, but domestic scenes, Christmas, and famous historic battles were also very common.
Scope & Content
Series contains 35 children's magic lantern slides done in colour, machine-printed rather than hand-painted. There are 4 distinct grouping of the slides:
2019.88-1-12 depict the story "The Transvaal War" [manufactured in 1895?]. Each slide has 3 seperate images with black borders and are numbered sequentially so that the showman could keep track. There is no maker's mark, but according to a note placed in the accompanying lantern slide box, this set was made by the Ernst Plank Company. The slides depict protraits of men in various uniforms, battle scenes, and soldiers in uniform. Each silde is bordered with green paper in good condition.
2019.88-13-16 are unrelated EP slides bordered in red paper of varying condition. 13 has 4 travel images seperated with a black border; 14 is a long slide showing 4 boys in play dress as a marching band; 15 is a panoramic sea scape with ships and a harbour. A section of the coloured glass along the top slightly to the left of centre has been chipped off; 16 is a panoramic pastoral Dutch scene set in the springtime. The supporting glass piece has been badly damaged and is missing on the left end of the slide.
2019.88-17-28 are all travel scenes with 4 images to a slide seperated with a black border and no maker's mark. The images contain a mixture of people, animals, buildings and temples (mainly made from stone), boats, and landscapes from North America, Africa (with an emphasis on Egypt), and what could be either South America or Eurasia. All slides are bordered in red paper of fair to good condition.
2019.88-29-35 are unrelated EP slides of various styles bordered in red paper in fair to good condition. 29 depicts 4 caricature portraits with a black border; 30, 32, 34 are long slides with 4 individuals on each that are not seperated from eachother with borders, but are not part of a larger scene; 31, 33, 35 are all panoramic pastoral Dutch scenes set in both springtime and winter.
Notes
Accompanying the slides is what appears to be an original lantern slide box, made of wood and covered in faded purple paper with a steam engine train image on the top and a logo containing the intials "E.P." The logo consists of a 4-spoke wheel with wings on either side and 3 stars above. One short end of the box is missing and the sliding lid is either warped or stuck and does not open. A sticky note placed inside the box states that the green-line lantern slides (2019.88/PS-1 to PS-12) accompanied the box.
Series consists of 38 lantern slides. Most are credited to either the Department of the Interior or the Department of Extension, University of Alberta.
38 photographs : b&w and col. slides ; 10.2 x 8.2 cm
History / Biographical
Lantern slides were used by government agencies to illustrate holdings and acquisitions during meetings. This could take the form of text-based or photographic images. This collection contains photographic images of mainly Jasper National Park that were taken by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Extension, University of Alberta.
The Department of the Interior was founded in 1873 and was responsible for settlement and development of western Canada until 1936. This included surveying what is now Alberta and then promoting and settling the area through a massive immigration campaign. Coloured lantern slides would have been utilized in this capacity to realistically showcase the Rocky Mountain region to officials in Ottawa.
The Department of Extension at the University of Alberta was founded in 1912 with the aim of sharing the University's collections and knowledge with rural communities throughout Alberta. Based out of Edmonton, the Department of Extension used travelling libraries, magic lantern shows, and public lectures to accomplish this goal. It is still an active department at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Scope & Content
Series consists of 38 lantern slides. Most are credited to either the Department of the Interior or the Department of Extension, University of Alberta.
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M199 (textual) and V158 (photographs).
M199 consists of two series, 1.1 cm, 1940-1942. Series I : Miscellaneous textual materials, 0.1 cm, 1940-1942 (includes envelope and letterhead from Sunshine Lodge, 1944 and an envelope and letterhead from Kananaskis Ranch, S…
1 album (43 photographs : b&w ; 31.5 x 23.5 cm or smaller) -- 4 photographs : b&w ; 11 x 19.5 cm or smaller; -- 01 cm of textual records (5 pages ; 42.5 x 28 cm or smaller) -- 01 cm of textual records (7 pages ; 21.5 x 27.5 cm or smaller) -- 1 cm of textual records (2 volumes ; 21.5 x 35.5 cm and 21.5 x 33.5 cm)
History / Biographical
Kay Powell (nee Kathleen Burt-Smith) attended the private Mountain School in Banff, Alberta which was founded by Margaret and Henry Greenham in 1920. She was sent to the nearest private boarding school as a result of a fear of bombing in her home town of Victoria, BC by the Japanese during World War II. Kay Powell started half-way through her grade 9 year in 1940 and stayed until 1944. She won a school prize in 1943 for "friendliness" and returned to Victoria, B.C. after the war where she married James Michael Powell and had two children and three grandchildren. She was an avid boater and passed away in 2017.
Scope & Content
Fonds consists of two sous-fonds: M199 (textual) and V158 (photographs).
M199 consists of two series, 1.1 cm, 1940-1942. Series I : Miscellaneous textual materials, 0.1 cm, 1940-1942 (includes envelope and letterhead from Sunshine Lodge, 1944 and an envelope and letterhead from Kananaskis Ranch, Seebe, Alberta featuring sketches of C.A. Beil; 1 card with signatures; newspaper clipping pertaining to mountain school students skiing at Sunshine). Series II : Mountain Echoes, 1 cm, 1941-1943 (includes 2 school journals "Mountain Echoes," 1941-1942 and 1942-1943 pertaining to school events)
V158 consists of two series, 2.9 cm, 1940-1942. Series I : Photograph albums, 2 cm, 1940-1942 (1 photograph album with 43 photographs pertaining to Kay Powell's time at the Mountain School, including textual records within of valedictory poem and lyrics to a school song "Forty Years On" on Havergal College letterhead. Series II : Photograph prints, 0.9 cm, 11 x 19.5 cm or smaller and related textual record 5 pages ; 42.5 x 28 cm or smaller, 1940-1942 (includes 4 photograph prints pertaining to school teachers who taught at the Mountain School, with associated information and newspaper clipping).
File consists of seven miscellaneous textual materials. Content pertains to ephemera from Kay Powell's time at the Mountain School from 1942 to 1944 including a ticket to the Mountain School's performance of "Cinderella at Home", "Pandora's Box", and "Royal Pilgrimage" on June 26th, 1943; a signed …
01 cm of textual records (7 pages ; 21.5 x 27.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of seven miscellaneous textual materials. Content pertains to ephemera from Kay Powell's time at the Mountain School from 1942 to 1944 including a ticket to the Mountain School's performance of "Cinderella at Home", "Pandora's Box", and "Royal Pilgrimage" on June 26th, 1943; a signed card with title "Going Away?" with dog and suitcase on front; letterhead and envelope from Sunshine Lodge; letterhead and envelope from Kananaskis Ranch with drawings by Charlie Beil; newsclipping with article circled entitled "Mountain school pupils enjoy week end at Sunshine" with mentions of Miss Margaret Viney, Kathleen Burt-Smith, Roesmary Jukes, Constance Cunningham, Virginia Bloedel, Rachel Frier, Sheila McGiverin, Phyllis Wolfe, Stephanie Schieffler, Barbara Goddard, Diane Elworthy, Jacqueline Patmore, Sheana Grant, Isobel Angus, Angela Owen.
File consists of one photograph album comprising 43 photographs. Contents pertains to Kay Powell's attendance at the Mountain School from 1942 to 1944 including steam locomotive at the Banff Train Station; "Gateway" main house; Sunshine Lodge; skiing at Sunshine in 1942; teachers and students posi…
1 album (43 photographs : b&w ; 31.5 x 23.5 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of one photograph album comprising 43 photographs. Contents pertains to Kay Powell's attendance at the Mountain School from 1942 to 1944 including steam locomotive at the Banff Train Station; "Gateway" main house; Sunshine Lodge; skiing at Sunshine in 1942; teachers and students posing for photographs ; photographs of Banff Avenue; pack horses and pack trips at Kananaskis Ranch including photographs of camp; photographs of exterior and interior of Mountain School building; skiing at Mount Norquay; skating at the Banff Skating Club; hikes up Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle; students in costume performing a play; Cave and Basin pool. Some photographs include photocopies of photographs with students name annotated by Kay Powell. Album also includes textual records of valedictory poem and lyrics to a school song "Forty Years On" on Havergal College letterhead.
File consists of 4 photographs. Contents pertains to teachers at the Mountain School between 1942 and 1944 when Kay Powell attended, including Sheila Dunn (Mrs. Chard - Victoria), Violet Currie with write up by Kay Powell pertaining to Sheila Dunn (Chard), Violet Currie (Humphrey), Miss Viney (Stra…
4 photographs : b&w ; 11 x 19.5 cm or smaller -- 01 cm of textual records (5 pages ; 42.5 x 28 cm or smaller)
Scope & Content
File consists of 4 photographs. Contents pertains to teachers at the Mountain School between 1942 and 1944 when Kay Powell attended, including Sheila Dunn (Mrs. Chard - Victoria), Violet Currie with write up by Kay Powell pertaining to Sheila Dunn (Chard), Violet Currie (Humphrey), Miss Viney (Strange), Miss Turner and Miss Banter with clipping pertaining to Violet Ellen Currie Humphrey and New Zealand WWII veteran stationed in Banff Gordon Bell with copy of photograph of Miss Currie from V158/I/PD-1 ; photograph of Kathleen Burt-Smith (Kay Powell) in her school uniform; and four children on a sled identified on a photocopy of the photograph and annotated by Kay Powell as Kay Burt-Smith (Powell), Rosemary Jukes (Woodward), Elspeth Ker (Helmcken), and unknown - possibly Angela Owen; photocopy of photograph of students, teachers, Greenham's,and dog Gillie in front of Mountain School with tissue overlay with students names annotated.
File consists of a wide-ranging selection of lantern slide views from across western Canada; industry, settlement, first nations, recreation, scenic views. Set was probably a travel and/or settlement promotion lecture series.
88 photographs : b&w and col. slides ; 10.2 x 8.5 cm or smaller
Scope & Content
File consists of a wide-ranging selection of lantern slide views from across western Canada; industry, settlement, first nations, recreation, scenic views. Set was probably a travel and/or settlement promotion lecture series.
File consists of two volumes of "Mountain Echoes - Ad Summa - The Mountain School" for 1941-1942 and 1942-1943. Content includes a year in review, essays, poetry, editorials, songs, stories, reports on war experiences and travel, sport updates, Red Cross activities, diary of school events, health t…
1 cm of textual records (2 volumes ; 21.5 x 35.5 cm and 21.5 x 33.5 cm)
Scope & Content
File consists of two volumes of "Mountain Echoes - Ad Summa - The Mountain School" for 1941-1942 and 1942-1943. Content includes a year in review, essays, poetry, editorials, songs, stories, reports on war experiences and travel, sport updates, Red Cross activities, diary of school events, health tips, camping and climbing stories, war stories.