Fonds 052 Field’s Studio fonds

17 negatives

12 postcards

Date: ca. 1900-1930 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of formal portraits and snapshots of Edith Wilber and Clarence Field from early adulthood until mid-life. Some of them include props as if they were Field’s portraits, others are experimental. There is also one portrait of Dora Cordray, the child they adopted while in the Peace Country.

Physical description: 17 photographs

Access points:

•                Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Full-length portrait of Edith Wilber as a young adult. She later married C. W. Field and moved to Grande Prairie in 1922.

Snapshot of Clarence Field as a young adult.

Nursing Graduation portrait of Edith Wilber in nurse’s uniform.

Clarence Field on a motorized bicycle in the early 1900s.

Reunion portrait of the J.O.C. in Ohio. Back row (L to R): Nettie Allen Rings, Sadie Hughes Randels, Edith Wilber Field, Nellie Runnion, and Ella Blake Quay. Middle row: Jennie Ritchey and Dollie Kenyon. Front row: Etta Shilling, Edna Runnion, and Lizzie Davidson. Names taken from the back of the photograph. Caption also notes that Mary Rings Stockton and Adaline Orton Young are absent.

Head & shoulders portrait of Edith Wilber Field about the time she lived in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Edith Field’s mother, Mrs. Wilber, lived with the Fields on their homestead north of Bezanson. The caption on the back of the photograph reads “Edith Field’s mother. Lived with Field’s. Neighbors of Steve & Mary Sarmaga.”

A “prop” photograph showing Clarence Field dressed in sealskin as a hunter, with gun ready across his knees, and seated in a moose-horn chair.

A “prop” photograph showing Edith Field in costume, examining a box in the light of a lamp. The back of the photograph reads as follows: ”Our first flash light experience. Taken at 10 P.M. New Year evening 1913. Don’t you wish you could see all the good things which I see in this box? The lamp is one of our gas lights of which I told you. It is 300 candle power. The hood is the real picture. Had it taken to show family my hood. It – the hood – attracts attention and admiration wherever I go – women will say ‘Where did you get it” – “that is a beauty.” “I want a hood but can’t endure the kind they have here.” “I believe I could knit one of those.” “Why it is silk.” “Would you mind if I pattern after that hood.” “Such a modest pretty color” etc., etc., etc. This is just proof ie. it is not retouched. Retouching would make it a fair picture. C. is an expert at hand work on negatives. We are going to practice on flash lights til we get it down to better than day light.”

A “prop” photograph of Clarence Field in a Chimney Sweep costume. The back of the photograph contains biographical information. A newspaper clipping advertising chimney sweep services is also pasted to the back.

Sepia toned head and shoulders portrait of Edith Wilber Field.

A “prop” photograph of Edith Field in sealskin suit and boots, with gun at hand, sitting in a moose antler chair.

Two copies of the same image showing the living room of the Field farm home with Clarence and his dog sitting on the day bed.

Two copies of the same image showing the living room of the Field farm home at Christmas with Clarence at the table.

Head & shoulders portrait of Dora Cordray, the preschool child Edith & Clarence Field adopted. She later married Leo Nelson. The caption on the back of the photograph reads “Dora Cordray married Leo Nelson. Raised by Martin’s in Tranquility.”

Date: 1910-1920 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of a set of glass negative plates: formal portraits featuring Indigenous people in elaborate traditional dress, posing in classic studio settings. Six of the glass negatives are casual snapshots showing a trapper’s camp, his horse and sightings of bear and moose.

Physical description: 3 photographs

17 negatives

1 postcard

Access points:

•                Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Formal dress portrait of Mike Dion Buffalo, a member of the Hobbema First Nations in Central Alberta, sitting in a moose antler chair with rifle across his knees.

Formal portrait of a man from the Hobbema First Nations in Central Alberta. He sits in a moose antler chair wearing a feather headdress and holding a rifle in his left hand and a pistol in his right hand.

Snapshot of a casually dressed man holding the halter of a horse, with fences, trees and open pasture in background.

Snapshot of two bear cubs climbing a tree. 2002.54.18 is a print of the same image.

Formal portrait of a man and a woman in regalia, identified as Louis Strawhat & his wife of the Hobbema First Nations in Central Alberta.

Snapshot of a man holding a frying pan in a trapper’s camp, with his tent and dog in the foreground and fur pelts hanging on the trees in the background.

Formal portrait of an unidentified man from the Hobbema First Nations in Central Alberta. He wears long braids, jewelry, hat, and scarf.

Snapshot of a horse pulling a man in a cart on a road with fence and trees in the background.

Formal portrait of an Indigenous family group from the Hobbema First Nations in Central Alberta. They are posed in a classical studio setting, with details such as the fireplace, clock and rug.

Formal portrait of Mike Dion Buffalo, from the Hobbema First Nations, holding a rifle.

Snapshot of two moose calves on the bank of the Smoky River.

Snapshot of a small child with a hunting knife strapped around their waist, holding a rifle over a dead moose. A log cabin is in background. Most likely a “prop” photograph.

Studio portrait of a woman and a small child from the Hobbema First Nations in Central Alberta. Image is the same as item 2002.54.16.

Studio portrait of a woman and a small child in regalia from the Hobbema First Nations in Central Alberta. Image is the same as item 1997.45.13

Postcard featuring a photograph taken by Ponoka Studio. The photograph is a formal portrait of a man and a woman in regalia, identified as Louis Strawhat & his wife of the Hobbema First Nations in Central Alberta. The postcard is written by Clarence and sent to Edith Field on January 8, 1914.

Photograph print of two bear cubs climbing a tree. Item 1997.45.04 is the glass plate negative of the same image.

Michael Buffalo’s family from the Hobbema First Nations in Central Alberta, left to right: Bella, Mary (Nepoose) Buffalo, Margaret, possibly Peggy (Allard) Buffalo, Michael’s mother.

Chief Joe Samson, son of the first Chief Samson, of the Samson Band, Hobbema Alberta.

Full-length portrait of a preschool girl beside a table of toys. The background shows a classical studio setting.

“Cartoon-type” photograph of a man behind the bars on a brass bed. Caption reads: “I knew I would end up in jail if I didn’t quit drinking.”

Date: ca. 1900-1935 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of 100 studio portraits of individuals, couples and families from Field’s Studio; 30 snapshots of historic Grande Prairie scenes and buildings, and 28 photographs depicting homesteading in the 1920s. Some of the studio portraits include props such as uniforms and pets.

Physical description: 158 photographs

Access points:

•                Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Date: ca. 1900-1935 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of various kinds of studio portraits of individuals, couples, families and groups. Some of them include the use of props and uniforms (e.g. sports/work). Most of them are unidentified.

Physical description: 100 photographs

Note:

Because these portraits are unidentified, there is the possibility that some of them could be from the Ponoka Studio.

Access points:

•                Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Studio portraits of unidentified individuals, couples and families. There are several in hockey uniform.

The queen of one of Grande Prairie’s Winter Carnivals, Gertrude (Graban?) Alloway.

A portrait of Gertrude (Havelena).

A woman poses for a formal portrait with her dog.

Frank Donald owned a chain of hotels in Grande Prairie. He gained prominence in Grande Prairie’s history as a race car driver and as the volunteer undertaker during the 1918 influenza epidemic.

Portraits of J. Mackey and ?.

A husband and wife team of Salvation Army Captains serving in Alberta in early 1900’s.

Portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Halwa, Sr.

Ike Nelson and family (four sons). Ike was the co-owner of the Nelson and Archibald General Store in Grande Prairie.

Tintype photo of a young girl sitting in a chair with her doll

Portrait of Mary Roberta Carney, 16 years of age, in a flowered hat.

Head & shoulders portrait of young woman in a cloche hat and fur stole.

Head & shoulders portrait of Minnie Nelson, from Bezanson.

Full length portrait of the carnival queen from one of Grande Prairie’s Winter Carnivals.

Full length studio portrait of man in hockey uniform and skates. Possibly Francis (Fran) Donald, son of Frank Donald.

Wedding portrait of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Wiebe. Henry taught school at Bezanson for many years.

Full length portrait of RCMP Officer in dress uniform, with his Spaniel Dog.

“Prop” portrait of a man in German uniform holding a German rifle.

Studio portrait of a little person from one of Grande Prairie’s Winter Carnivals. The back of the photograph reads “midget from the carnival in G.P. Fields took his picture.”

Note:

Title was originally “Winter Carnival Midget” which was changed to remove the offensive term. Description was changed to add what was written on the back of the photograph. – 22Feb2021 SF

Studio portrait of a young couple in wedding attire.

Studio portrait of young woman in flapper dress.

Illustration print from the Eastman Professional School, possibly from the portfolio of Clarence Field.

Head & shoulders portrait of a woman in soft sepia tones.

Studio portrait of a year-old baby in a diaper.

Studio portrait of a two-year boy in a knitted suit.

Studio portrait of a family with two girls & two boys between the ages of two and ten.

Studio portrait of a couple in their forties or fifties.

Studio portrait of a couple in dark suit and dress, with flowers as if for a wedding.

Studio portrait of a couple in fur coats–a buffalo robe for him and a mink coat for her.

Casual wedding photograph of a young couple in the garden.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of a young woman with shawl and corsage.

Studio portrait of woman in fur collar and cloche hat, with inscription reading “Vote for Ethel Dolly Lanctot”

Head & shoulders portrait of a young woman in pearls and suit jacket.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of a young woman in pearls and black dress.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of a young woman in pearls and light-coloured dress.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of a young woman in a fur collar.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of a young woman in a fur collar.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of a young woman in pearls and black dress.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of a young woman in a fur collar.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of a young woman in pearls and black dress.

Full length studio portrait of a young woman in a black dress.

Full length studio portrait of a young woman at her desk.

Sepia toned studio portrait of a lady in a silk dress with flowers.

Studio portrait of a man dressed as and posing as a boxer.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of an old man with a white beard.

Head & shoulders studio portrait of a young man with bow tie.

Studio portrait of a man in suit and spats with his German Shepherd Dog.

Studio portrait of the champion men’s curling team, posing with their equipment and trophies (The Delmar Pratt Trophy). Victor Tanner is seated on the right.

Portrait of Ladies Curling Team with trophies: Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Journey, Mrs. Mantle, Mrs. Archibald.

Date: ca. 1920-1930 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of scenes taken around Grande Prairie ca. 1925. Some are professionally taken and matted, stamped as Field’s Studio Photographs, while other are simple snapshots.

Physical description: 30 photographs

Access points:

•                Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Richmond Avenue looking west from Clairmont Road, lined with cars, flags flying. The Imperial Bank of Canada, W. Pratt Real Estate and Insurance, Campbell Dentist Office and other businesses are visible.

Newly built municipal hospital, completed in 1929, with building materials still visible in front of the hospital.

“Spicer’s Bakery, makers of Sweet Krust and 100% Whole Bread” was a false fronted frame building located on 99 Avenue in Grande Prairie. Wood for its ovens is stacked beside the bakery.

The first Grande Prairie Courthouse on the corner of 99 Street and 99 Avenue, with Montrose School prominent in the background.

Bird’s eye view of the Grande Prairie Train Station in winter, crowded with people and cars. The horse-drawn dray unloading the Royal Mail from the mail car in the foreground belonged to Mr. Alex Wishart.

Parade Float in the Jubilee Parade with sign reading “Canada’s Jubilee–1927. Grande Prairie’s next great celebration when we get our Coast Outlet.”

Dominion Lands and Government Telegraph Office at Grande Prairie, with men camped in front of it waiting to stake land claims. Same image as 2002.54.40.

Two unidentified men and one woman posing for snapshot behind a crowd of on-lookers at a community event, possibly horse races. Some men are seated on a raised platform.

Five men and two women on top of a flat-roofed log cabin, with other companions and pets on the ground.

A large group of people stand on the balcony of the The Spaulding Hotel in High Prairie, which was a fully modern hotel when it was built.

A group of workers surrounds a Canadian Utilities truck with “Canadian Utilities Ltd. No. 4” on the door. Douglass & Co. Ltd. is in the background.

Corner view of a false-fronted business warehouse, with a Massey-Harris sign and two cars in front. Some equipment is visible along the side of the business.

The Canadian Utilities building in Grande Prairie, with Spicer’s Bakery and the grain elevators in the background.

New fire hall and water tower with well-equipped firefighters ready for service.

Composite of individual photographs of Mayor Sharpe and Councilors: Spicer, Stredulinsky, Crerar, Shaver and Nelson. H.D. Thomson photograph is missing. See 1999.16.

Snapshot of Field’s Studio, beside Lanctot Hardware on the north side of Richmond Avenue, between 101 and 102 Street.

Bird’s eye view of Grande Prairie water tower and elevators from a roof-top on Richmond Avenue between 101 and 102 Street.

Two men with bear cubs on chains are watched by a young office clerk and two children playing with a go-cart.

Man, child and car outside of Grande Prairie’s Immigration Hall on Lots 19, 20 and 21 in Block 2, Plan 1836 BP in the Town of Grande Prairie.

Two men, a child and a car outside of Grande Prairie’s Immigration Hall on Lots 19, 20 and 21 in Block 2, Plan 1836 BP in the Town of Grande Prairie.

A farm family of man, wife and two small children beside their new truck. In the background is the United Church and Mills’ Feed & Livery Barn.

The two dead moose on the sleigh were shot by D. Patterson and B. Mickaels.

Crowd at Benson’s Point watching children play on the water slide.

First court house at Grande Prairie, on the corner of 99 St. and 99 Ave.

Men camped outside the Dominion Lands Office at Grande Prairie, waiting to file on homestead land. Same image as 1997.13.09

A crowded Richmond Avenue on Circus Day, 1930.

An old car on the street in front of the Grande Prairie Court House. Montrose School is in the background.

Date: ca. 1920-1930 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The sub-series consists of scenes of homesteading activities in the Grande Prairie area in the 1920s. The majority of them are casual snapshots of harvest time.

Physical description: 28 photographs

Note [generalNote]:

Because these photographs are unidentified, there is the possibility that some of them could be from the Ponoka area, or even from the United States.

Access points:

•                Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

Livelton farmstead on the shore of Henderson Lake. This farm was part of a tour to demonstrate the potential of the Peace Country in 1928.

A field of standing grain and stooks near Beaverlodge, Alberta is evidence of the fertility of the land.

Metz family threshing crew. John Metz, sons Leonard, Tim and Reuben Metz. One unknown (on right). The Metz family farmed at Kleskun Lake.

Four men feeding a threshing machine being run by a steam tractor.

The results of two hours of bird hunting, on Oct. 30, 1923, at Bear Lake, Alberta: 32 geese and 16 other birds displayed by three hunters and their spaniel hunting dog.

Two men forking bundles from a wagon.

Threshing machine beside a wooden granary.

Proud owner stands beside a steam tractor which is being used for threshing.

Steel wheeled tractor being driven through the farmyard.

Woman in a two-wheeled cart with one horse in the traces.

Car stuck on a muddy road, with three men attempting to move it.

Car up to its hubs in a pool of water.

Four men with a car beside a large frame building.

Seven men surround a wagon loaded with lumber and bags of mail.

Farmer on a disc behind a team of horses. Farmer is wearing an old army uniform–recycled clothing?

Farmer plowing the land with a team of four horses. Farmer is wearing an old army uniform–recycled clothing?

Farmer seeding the land with a four-horse team. Farmer is wearing an old army uniform–recycled clothing?

Three adults and one child beside two automobiles in a field.

Threshing machine processing stooks being loaded from a wagon.

Normally, a field was “stook threshed” but sometimes bundles were hauled and stacked so they could be threshed anytime the machine was available.

It was an exciting time when the threshing crew came. Here the whole family is gathered around to watch.

A mixed team of one horse and one ox pulling a covered caboose and wagon.

Plow with three shares on display.

Large log farm home. In the yard a woman is milking a cow. Nearby is a calf, a wagon pulled by oxen, and a wagon pulled by horses.

Man riding one of a team of oxen pulling a wagon. Man could be Ewert Ellis.

Log farm home and barn surrounded by a log fence, poles up-right as with a picket fence.

Four men with a threshing machine beside a wooden granary.

Mac Prentiss, at Hermit Lake, had one of the first combines in the area. It was a Holt Combine and he pulled it with his Caterpillar Tractor.

A herd of beef cattle on the prairie, with small trees and brush in background.

Herman Trelle plowing the prairie with his Case Tractor.

Four men with threshing with a steel-wheeled tractor beside a wooden granary.

Date: ca. 1900-1930 (date of creation)

Scope and content:

The series consists of 5 tourist postcards from the United States and 7 colour postcards of farming scenes in Western Canada ca. 1920, published by The Valentine & Sons United Publishing Co. Ltd. in Winnipeg, Manitoba and printed in Great Britain. Only one of the cards has a personal message on the reverse.

Physical description: 12 postcards

Access points:

•                Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)

•                Graphic material (documentary form)

Series of Valentine & Sons colour postcards of typical rural scenes in Western Canada. Also included is one “Vacation Don’ts” card by Bamforth Comic.

Souvenir postcards from Canada and the United States, only one with a personal message on the back.

Glass negative of native woman and child, possibly from the Hobbema Reserve near Ponoka.

Glass negative of two men in cowboy dress, in a formal portrait studio.