Here at the Digitization Centre we are fascinated and excited by the vast amount of primary-source material that our digitization work exposes us to. Whether a document of historic significance, a beautiful illustration, or even a particularly fine typeface, we are frequently amazed by the materials we’re working to share with the world. So much so, that not only will we crowd around to ogle a particularly interesting specimen, but we’ve started decorating our workplace with copies of some of our favorites. But why stop there? Surely, we can’t be the only ones geeky enough to appreciate such “gems” in our collections, and so we’ve decided to share them here with you. Below you will find some of our favorites, hand-picked by staff from both existing and upcoming collections. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
TIP: To view full resolution versions of the images on any size screen, click to view in Open Collections.
Explore Open Collections: Andrew McCormick Maps and Prints
Posted on Aug 25, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
The Andrew McCormick collection contains nearly 200 historical maps and illustrations which document the history of early European maritime exploration, cartographic evolution and settlement in North America. The documents were donated to UBC’s Rare Books and Special Collections by Dr. Andrew Quinn McCormick, a well-respected former faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology. Documenting more […]
Celebrate World Fashion Day
Posted on Aug 17, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
“You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.” – Edith Head For some fashion is frivolous, and for others it’s what makes the world go ‘round. Whichever end of the spectrum you’re on, though, our clothes speak volumes about who we are, where we’re from, and the time in […]
International Youth Day 2016
Posted on Aug 10, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
“Young people are not only our future — they are our present. Our planet has never been so young, with 1.8 billion young women and men. They are the most connected, the most outspoken and the most open-minded generation the world has ever seen.” Irina Bokova UNESCO Director-General International Youth Day is being celebrated around […]
Explore Open Collections – H. Bullock-Webster sketches
Posted on Aug 03, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
Harry Bullock-Webster, a young Brit who came to Canada in the early 1870’s, worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company throughout the country’s western regions, starting as an apprentice clerk and eventually working his way up to become head of the Fort Connelly trading post in northern British Columbia. Bullock-Webster, although never formally trained as an […]
How We Digitize – Early BC Historical Documents
Posted on Jul 27, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
We often write about collections that have already been digitized, but today we want to give you a sneak peek of a forthcoming collection that we’re working on right now. The BC Historical Documents are a variety of papers, correspondence and text that have been identified as being representative of the documentary history of early […]
Explore Open Collections: R. Mathison Collection
Posted on Jul 21, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
The R. Mathison Printing Collection offers a fascinating glimpse into business and marketing practices in Vancouver at the close of the 19th century. In 1886, Robert Mathison opened his print shop just after a massive fire had ravaged much of the city and all three of its printers, allowing him to monopolise on business. This […]
Explore Open Collections: UBC Library Framed Works Collection
Posted on Jul 13, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
Did you know that UBC Library’s Archives and Rare Books and Special Collections owns some unique, one-of-a-kind artworks, including prints, photographs and charters? Several of these works form a part of larger collections held by the Archive (also known as fonds), while others document interesting aspects of British Columbia’s artistic history. Below we’ve selected some […]
Explore Open Collections: MacMillan Bloedel Limited Fonds
Posted on Jul 07, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
British Columbia’s history is closely tied to the development of industry and resource extraction in western Canada – from fishing to mining, there is no doubt that natural resources have been a driving force in shaping the province we’ve come to know today. Forestry is perhaps one of the most iconic industries in B.C., and […]
Canada Day at Open Collections
Posted on Jun 30, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
Canada is celebrating it’s 149th birthday this week, so we’ve pulled together some fun Canadiana from Open Collections for you to enjoy! The phenomenal Chung Collection features an incredible array of materials related to the early history of British Columbia, and the immigration and settlement that took place in the province from the mid-19th century. […]
Aboriginal (Un)History Month 2016
Posted on Jun 22, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
It’s Aboriginal History Month in Canada… or should we say Aboriginal (Un)History Month, recognising that Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and around the world, continue to live and write their stories every day! The UBC Point Grey campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking Musqueam people. In recognition of this, […]
