Canadian Travel Pamphlets from the Chung Collection:
Since the weather in Vancouver has been less than appealing as of late, I decided to peruse the travel pamphlets available through UBC’s Open Collections as a way of experiencing a vicarious vacation.
This blog post will highlight some of the travel pamphlets from the Chung collection. These eye-catching vintage pamphlets were distributed as advertisement for travel by ship, plane, or train within Canada as well as internationally. The Wallace B. Chung and Madeline H. Chung collection, donated in 1999 by Drs. Wallace and Madeline Chung, contains over 10,000 items of archival documents, photographs, books, and other artifacts. The majority of the collection centers three broad themes: British Columbia History, Immigration and Settlement, and the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. I hope you enjoy this blog post, and maybe even get inspired to finally book that vacation!
Banff Springs Hotel, Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies
This pamphlet advertising Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise is thought to be from some time after 1950. The pamphlet features information on amenities and activities of each destination. It features photographs of the hotels themselves, the interior of the rooms, and the gorgeous surrounding nature. The front of the pamphlet features a stamp indicating that, at some point, it belonged to Williams Travel Agency in Bellingham, Washington.
By Train … Through the Canadian Rockies
“This booklet is your welcome to the Canadian Rockies, the view-filled four hundred miles of peaks and passes, crags and canyons, streams and cataracts that make the journey by Canadian Pacific through the Rocky, Selkirk and Coast Ranges one of the travel wonders of the world”.
This pamphlet, thought to be from 1955, is meant to be read while the passenger is on the train. The pamphlet includes photographs, sketched maps of the railway route, informs passengers of must-see spectacular views and gives an overview of each location the train stops, including local attractions.
Yoho Valley in the Canadian Rockies and the Glaciers of the Selkirks
This pamphlet advertising trips via CPR to Yoho Valley and the glaciers of the Selkirks is from 1903. The pamphlet features black and white photographs of the area, in depth information on the region including various mountains and glaciers, as well as tips for photographers, guided tour offerings, a topographical map, accommodation options, and more.
Canadian Pacific Cruises: Round the World and Mediterranean, 1925-26
This pamphlet from 1925 advertises a Round the World Cruise and a Mediterranean cruise that occurred between 1925-26. The Round the World Cruise was scheduled from December 10th, 1925-April 10th, 1926, and the Mediterranean Cruise from February 16th, 1926 – April 13th, 1926. This pamphlet features gorgeous illustrations accompanying informative write ups for each destination.
Australia, New Zealand, Honolulu, Fiji
This pamphlet is advertising a cruise which departed from Vancouver, stopping in Hawaii, Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. The tour occurred during the “fall and winter months”. Although the exact date is not known, this pamphlet is thought to be from some time after 1920. The cover features a Kookaburra, a bird which is native to Australia.
Bermuda: Rates and Sailings, Duchess of York
This pamphlet from 1930, is for Canadian Pacific, “the world’s greatest travel system”. It features prices, dates, and departure options for Canadian Pacific World Wide cruises. It also contains information on traveler’s cheques, baggage insurance, sightseeing, and other information for passengers.
If you enjoyed viewing these vintage travel pamphlets, there are plenty more available through Open Collections.
Thank you for reading!
