The records consist of miscellaneous documents and graphic material collected by Steve Beckow from undocumented sources. Included is publishing ephemera n.d., 188[-]- 1933; trade literature and samples of advertising (largely early 20th century); and miscellaneous memorabilia regarding politics, religion, activism, clubs n.d., 1882-1973.
The textual records include publicity material relating to the A.H. Jarvis bookstore (Ottawa); O.K. Book Stand (Toronto); Y.P. Missionary Education; Alex'r McBean (Winnipeg) and Home Worship and the Use of the Bible in the Home, by Thompson and Spurgeon; the Ryerson Press; William Briggs [1899]; 3,800 Miles Across Canada [1900]; and Chalk Talks by J.W. Bengough [1920s]. Also included are samples of book plates, n.d., 1912-1933, including ones for Joseph Flavelle, Lorne Pierce, F.C. Stephenson, Wesleyan Female College Library, and Garden Island Mechanics' Institute; samples of book presentation plates, n.d., 1908-1922, including ones of the Upper Canada Tract Society and Salvation Army; and samples of business, calling and "compliments of" cards, n.d. 1904, including ones of Pelham Edgar and Goldwin Smith.
The trade literature and advertising includes material on the Newman Foundry (St. Lambert); Anderson Bakery and Pert Roller Mills (Perth); Hunt's Store, Hoover Dry Cleaners, Car Finance Co. (all Toronto); John Forsyth Ltd. (Kitchener); Adelstein's Jewelry and Watch Hospital (Ottawa); Plymouth Twine 1918 (Welland); Wm. J. Diamond John Deere Sales 1953 (Oxford Mills); Peps Pastille Co.; Thermogene Co. Ltd..
Printed material includes a Canadian Home Journal brochure, The Perfect Hostess and a Prohibition Cartoon Leaflet No. 3 (Evangelism and Social Service, Toronto). Other memorabilia relates to the Woman's Missionary Society; Pocket Testament League; Canadian Baptist Mission in India 1914; Frère André; F.C. Stephenson; Toronto Jewish Mission calendar 1946; Canadian Patriotic Association; St. Andrew's Society 1882 [Toronto]; St. George's Society 1883 [Toronto]; Independent Order of Foresters 1932; Stony Lake Cottagers Association 1907; and Epworth League 1920.
The photographs include a sepia portrait stamped Miss Lockwood, Artist, Spark Street, Ottawa n.d.; a stereoscope, Canada's tribute in Honour of the Coronation of Her King London England (Keystone View Company 1902); and a Kodak parallax panoramagram dating from the 1960s. Subjects of other, undated, photographs are Geo. Riley, Grocer and an Edwardian picnic. The postcards, which date from ca. 1910 to ca. 1930, include ones of scenes of Quebec City, Montreal, Halifax, and other places in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The publishers include the Photogelatine Engraving Co. Ltd. (Toronto), International Fine Art Co. Ltd. (Montreal) and E.P. Charlton & Co. Ltd. (Ottawa).
Also included are a Loyal Orange Association of British America membership certificate 1886; a small lithograph poster "Canada! (after Bernard Partridge in Punch)" n.d.; and 2 ballpoint pen doodles by cartoonist Ed Reid.
