This series consists of art compiled by or created for Canadian National Railways (and its predecessors) and covers a wide period dating from 1858 to 1983.
Diverse artwork, including architectural drawings, related to the design of train stations, hotels, trains, and railway related structures. Additional artwork related to the promotion of travel to various destinations across Canada. This particular artwork related to additonal art found in other series within the CN fonds.
A significant collection of drawings related to the preliminary design relating to the development of the "new" and instantly iconic CN logo in the late 1950s. Works by James Valkus, Allan Fleming, Carl Ramirez, Arthur King, and John Davies. This material is attached to the Public Relations series, as it relates to the functions of the CN Public Relations Department's Visual Redesign Program. For further details, please see MIKAN 6026154 for information on the artwork relating to the creation of the corporate logo. See also MIKAN 6026153, CN Visual Redesign Program, for more details relating to the ongoing work relating to the implementation of the redesign of the CN corporate logo in the 1960s and 1970s.
There is also a small collection of portraits of various important railway individuals.
Artists include members of the Group of Seven; Charles Comfort and Allan Fleming.
Included are:
Designs for sculptural bas-reliefs, CNR terminals in Montreal and other Canadain cities. Work by Hal Ross Perrigard, A.R.C.A. and S.H. Maw.
Designs for sculptural elements, to be executed in tinted cement for CNR terminal buildings. Work by Fritz Brandtner.
Designs for painted murals for interiors of CNR terminals across Canada. Work by Charles Comfort.
Designs for interior and exterior of CNR terminals across Canada. Work by various architectural firms.
Furniture designs for interior of CNR hotels across Canada. Work by Eaton Co. Interior Design Studio and Welcross Ltd.
CN advertising material for CN Freight and for CN hotels across Canada from ca. 1963 to 1984, consisting of 1 post binder and 9 albums. The main advertising companies employed by CN during this time period included McConnell, Eastman & Co.; McConnell Advertising; McLaren Advertising; and Vickers and Benson. This material c can be found in volumes 16611-16625.
Drawings for CNR head office building in Montreal, Montreal Central Station, and Hotel Vancouver. Some of the architects identified are: Archibald, John S., 1872-1934; Schofield, John 1883-1971. Some of the artists identified are: P. Henderson; Maw, Samuel Herbert, 1881-1952; Perrigard, Hal Ross, 1891-1960.
Designs for CNR terminals and hotel interiors across Canada. Proposed designs for CNR terminals in Montreal, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Trenton, and London, by John Schofield (1883-1971), John Archibald (1872-1934), P. Henderson and others.
Designs for bas-relief sculpture for the CNR terminal building in Montreal. Works by Fritz Brandtner (1896-1969).
Proposed design for interior of CN trains, including the passenger sitting areas, the lounge area, and the cafeteria.
Proposed design for the exterior of trains, cars, vans, and trucks with the CN logo
Printing plates for promotional brochures advertising CNR hotels and resorts, and promoting travel to the following destinations: Jasper, Halifax, Alaska, and other unidentified Canadian cities. Work by Triad Graphic Design and others. Activities mainly related to the promotion of tourism in Canada during the 1920s-1930s, and taken along the CN lines across the country; views of localities, parks and natural sites across Canada; some railway equipment; personnel portraits.
