Collection search - Joan Watson de Bustin fonds [graphic material]

Record information – Brief
1
Joan Watson de Bustin fonds [graphic material]

Hierarchical level:

Fonds

Date:

1947-ca. 1997.

Reference:

R9124-0-5-E

Type of material:

Art, Photographs

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

190475

Context of this record:

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Joan Watson de Bustin fonds
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Record information – Details

Fonds includes:

141 lower level description(s)
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Date(s):

1947-ca. 1997.

Place of creation:

Canada

Extent:

56 watercolours.
67 drawings: pencil and coloured pencil.
16 reproductions: reproductions: postcards and progressive printing proofs.
1 photograph colour
Positive - paper - colour

Language of material:

English

Accession:

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Joan Watson de Bustin fonds. [graphic material]

Scope and content:

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Watercolours and drawings by Joan Watson de Bustin depicting scenes in the Canadian North, along the Alaska Highway, done ca. 1947-1950. Reproductions in the format of Postcards and proof prints for the postcards produced from the watercolours, ca. 1950. Colour photograph showing donor presenting related work to staff at C.F.B. Borden in ca. 1996-1997.

Provenance:

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Joan Watson de Bustin

Biography/Administrative history:

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Joan Watson de Bustin : Lt. Joan C. (Watson) de Bustin was born in Toronto in 1921. She attended the Havergal College for ten years. Her art study included study at the Montreal Fine Art School, under the principal, Dr. Arthur Lismer, who granted her a scholarship. She also had studio privileges with Kenneth Forbes for oil painting in Toronto. She "graduated into World War II," and after doing Red Cross work she joined the Womens' Royal Canadian Naval Service as a signaller on discharge. She studied Medical art at the University of Toronto, and during summer holidays made a trip out west to visit ex-service friends. While in Banff, Alberta she saw a postcard image of wild ponies on the Kluane flats and was inspired to find out more about the north. Having the time and the means, she enquired about travel to Alaska and arranged to take the trip that resulted in this art collection. In 1947 she travelled the Alaska Highway making pencil and watercolour sketches of the sites she visited, sometimes placing herself in the sketches. Postcards were produced from these sketches ca. 1950 and subsequently sold along the highway. There were large Canadian and American bases at two or three places along the highway because of the "Cold War" warning, and there are still extant bases for search and rescue purposes staffed by air force personnel. At the start of the Korean War she went to Japan with the Commonwealth to assist in hospital work, with seven other women on the first team, from 1952-1953. She later wrote a book about the Alaska Highway experience in 1989, entitled: "From end of steel to the far northwest: the Alaska Highway," to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the commencement of construction in 1942, wherein she published some fifty-five of her watercolours as illustrations. The book was financed at her own expense. The artist presented documents relating to military aspects of her observations in the north to C.F.B. Borden in ca. 1996-1997.

Finding aid:

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Artwork: (Electronic) On-line on MINISIS at item-level, for these items. R9124-1 to R9124-132 (2001) and R9124-134 to R9124-140 (2004) (90: Open)

Artwork: (Paper) Accession files: lists. R9124-2001, R9124-2004. (90: Open)

Additional information:

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General note:

Acquired from Joan Watson de Bustin

Custodial history:

The collection has always been in the donor's possession.

Related material:

A copy of Joan Watson de Bustin's book was given to the National Archives in 1992. It is now part of the Archives' Library: De Bustin, Joan Watson. "From end of steel to the far Northwest: the Alaska Highway / Joan Watson de Bustin." Pub. Penetang, Ont.: J.C. de Bustin, c. 1989. Amicus No. 11167093. Copies: DOUG dap - NC143 D42A4 1989.

Source:

Private

Related control no.:

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2001-01158-X
2004-00722-2
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Conditions of access:

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Graphic (art)

[Consultation90 Open]
Records may be consulted under the supervision of an art archivist.

Item no. assigned by LAC [R9124] 1--140

[Consultation 90 Open]

Graphic (photo)

[Consultation90 Open]

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