Harropian Books

[Rockies] 1890s Photo of Métis Dog Team w. Tuppie Coats & CPR Glacier Hotel & Station

Bailey Brothers and Unknown Photographer

Vancouver: Bailey Bros. circa 1890s. Mounted Photographs. An uncommon, 19th century midwinter photo of the Glacier hotel and railway station, and the towering Illecillewaet Glacier, captioned in negative along lower edge "X 748 Glacier Hotel and Glacier, C. P. R., Selkirks, Midwinter. Bailey Bros., Photo., Vancouver, B.C.", measuring 7.75 x 9.5 inches wide, mounted dos-à-dos with a rare, uncredited Métis dog team photo, captioned in ink near lower edge "Dog Train", measuring 7 x 9 inches wide. Both photos are mounted onto a thick green card measuring 8.5 x 10.75 inches wide and have some light rubbing and soil. We date these photos circa 1890-92 based on the state of development of the buildings evident in the Glacier photo and there being a second set of tracks visible in the foreground, which were laid after 1889. At Least Very Good. Item #4785

The Musher's arrow sash (un 'ceinture flechée) and the decorative dog coats or "Tuppies" worn by the dogs, are both of Métis design. According to Amelia Fay, the curator of the HBC Collection at the Manitoba Museum "Dog blankets appear to have originated with the Red River Métis, but the practice spread, and examples can be found from many subarctic Cree and Dene communities."

Price: $450.00 CAD  other currencies