File MS-3361 - Photograph album of Mrs. R. Maynard’s Photographic Gallery

Archives code(s): MS-3361

Accession number(s): [95-7328]

The "Gems of British Columbia" series features multiple individual portraits, produced throughout the year, of selected babies and children all compiled into a single montage work. “Gems” were sent as New Year's greeting cards to clients from 1881 until about 1895. Many of the "Gems of British Columbia” largely featured Anglo-European subjects as well as a number of clients from pioneer Black and Chinese families. In the 1880s these composite photographs, which sometimes incorporated photo sculptures, were published annually in the trade publication St. Louis Photographer (also known as St. Louis and Canadian Photographer).

The “Gem” for 1883 featured in this album includes the portrait of a child from the pioneering Spotts family. Located beside the left flag in the centre of the work, it is likely “Cecillia Spotts”. Several of the Spotts family children were also photographed by Hannah Maynard including “Percy Spotts.” The Alexander and likely Barnswell families, also appear to have been clients of the Maynard Studio and represent pioneer Black families of Vancouver Island and British Columbia.

Album contains additional notes on album pages used likely for BC Archives internal intellectual control (i.e. “93367” on the page containing the print with the work featuring multiple portraits of children and babies superimposed on a jug).