Schwall, Mary

• Main Author: Riggs, Bertram G., 1954-
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1996
• Subjects: Newfoundland; Strait of Belle Isle
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ead/id/50

This collection consists of 135 photographs taken by Mary Schwall or her companions - while on excursions to Newfoundland during 1913 and 1915. They are a pictorial record of a - journey by ship from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland, a train trip from Channel to St. John's, and - a trip from St. John's north around the coast to St. Anthony, across the Strait of Belle Isle to - Labrador and down the west coast of the Great Northern Peninsula. There is evidence that - the photographs were taken during two trips to Newfoundland, as two photographs have the - date 1913 on the back with the caption, while another has the date 1915. The photographs - provide visual documentation of Mary Schwall's vacations, but they also provide valuable - information on Newfoundland communities during the early years of the twentieth century. - Vernacular architecture historians have attested to the fact that several of the photographs - show buildings only previously known through oral accounts. As well there is visual - documentation of people, especially children, which can provide information on lifestyle, dress, - nutrition, disease, and a host of other subjects. - In addition, there are 56 postcards with images covering much the same geographical area as - the photographs, leading one to believe that they were purchased in larger communities during - stopovers, or possibly in St. John's. Most of the postcards were produced for the St. - John's-based companies Ayre & Sons, Ltd. and Dicks & Co.; 31 are coloured. Many - of the - postcards are scenics, but some are of people, especially 10 which depict Labrador natives in - traditional dress or demonstrate aspects of their unique lifestyle.