Beschreibung:

Folio album with leather covers, front cover titled in gilt Canada, containing 58 photographs of cities, towns, landmarks, and diverse landscapes throughout Canada, as well as some fine views of American Indians, the Canadian Pacific Railroad, and steamships. While 27 photographs are credited in the negative to William Notman & Son of Montreal, the majority are attributed to Notman's studio, with a single photo credited to Bailey Bros., Vancouver. 50 photographs measure 6.75 x 9 in., while 8 range in size from 3.75 x 5.5 in. to 4 x 8.5 in. Most images are mounted recto/verso, one per album page, and are either titled in the negative or on mount below image. The album features 3 exceptional Indian views, each titled as follows: "Kenepequoshas" (Son of a Snake) / Cree Indian family with pony; A Blackfoot brave and tepee, the subject shown holding a tack-decorated Winchester, his chest strung with an otter fur loop-style necklace with a central row of Serpent-style side plates of earlier trade muskets, with other tack-decorated accoutrements adorning his wrist and waist; and "Astokumi" and family - Sarcee Indians. In addition, the album houses at least 10 photographs of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, with views of the Snow Sheds, the Mountain Creek Bridge, Lower "Kicking Horse" Canon on the line of the CPRR, the "Loop," and the CPRR Station near Mount Sir Donald Glacier and Hermit Range. Photographs of the Steamers Passport and Algerian on the St. Lawrence River as well as the SS Empress of India, (with views of her departure from Vancouver and the interior), are also included. Other highlights include: photographs of the landmarks and surrounding landscapes of Quebec (8, with shots of the Citadel), Halifax (1), Montreal (4, with an action-packed view of men going down a Toboggan Slide), Ottawa (1), Niagara Falls (3), Banff Hotel and scenic surroundings (4, with photo capturing 4 men relaxing in the Swimming Pool, Banff Hot Springs), town of Yale (3, including Frazer River and Canon), Vancouver (2), Victoria (1). William Notman (1826-1891) was born in Scotland, but emigrated to Canada in 1856. He established a photography studio in Montreal, and very shortly after began documenting the construction of the Victoria Bridge across the St. Lawrence. The Prince of Wales attended the opening, and was presented with a box of Notman's photos of the construction. The acclaim from the royals helped cement his reputation. Along with his sons, Charles F. Notman, George W. Notman, and William McFarlane Notman he opened studios in other Canadian and US cities, including seasonal ones at Yale and Harvard to capture the students for posterity. He also regularly contributed to the Philadelphia Photographer, and with the journal's editor, Edward Wilson formed the Centennial Photographic Company to document the American centennial exhibition in 1876. When he died in 1891, Notman's photographic studio was taken over by his sons. Condition: Photographs range from very good to near excellent condition, and many retain dark tones. Light toning overall. First photograph in album of Quebec from Point Levis does show some light, scattered spotting. Wear to album cover, including loss of leather spine, edge and corner wear to covers.