Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Brigden Family fonds
General material designation
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
Level of description
Fonds
Repository
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1856-1964 (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
1.476 metres : textual records
662 : graphic images
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Frederick H. Brigden (known as Fred to distinguish him from his father) was nineteen months old when he came to Canada with his parents and brother in 1872. A natural talent for drawing and painting led to Fred receiving drawing lessons from the age of seven. He went on sketching trips from the age of twelve and at fourteen was enrolled as a student at the Ontario School of Art.In 1888, Fred Brigden entered his father's business as a wood-engraver. As well as becoming Art director of the firm, training fashion artists for Eaton's Catalogue and supervising the change-over from wood to photo-engraving, by 1890 he was an active member of the Toronto Art Students' League. Here he came under the influence of C.W. Jeffrey's and C. M. Manley, the latter becoming a close personal friend. From this time on, Fred Brigden began his second career as a professional artist. By the end of the century he was an established member of the Ontario Society of Artist and had exhibited at the Royal Canadian Academy, becoming a member in 1939.
In 1913, Frederick Brigden sent Fred to Winnipeg to find suitable premises for a new branch of the family firm. Once the firm began operating in 1914 and Arnold O. Brigden was installed as manager, Fred Brigden divided his time between Winnipeg and Toronto. Following his father's death in 1917 and his brother George's assumption of the Presidency, Fred Brigden became General Manager of both branches of the firm. The Winnipeg branch was incorporated as a company in its own right in 1920 with Fred Brigden as President and Arnold O. Brigden as Manager.
Following his brother George's death in 1941, Fred Brigden became President of both the Toronto and Winnipeg firms, and resigned as General Manager. He left the running of the business to an executive and board consisting of family members and skilled department heads. He spent his last years painting, writing and giving talks on art and matters relating to art. He died March 24 1956 while on a sketching trip to Bolton, Ontario.
Custodial history
The custodial history of the items described here is uncertain. Some items are cited in the catalogue for the 1974 exhibition "The Brigden Collection" and the items described here may have come to the Winnipeg Art Gallery after Arnold Brigden's death in 1972.
Scope and content
The collection consists of letters, diaries, family photographs dating from the 1880s, business papers and other memorabilia pertaining to the Brigden family and the Brigden graphic arts firm. Items include letters from a number of important Canadian artists. Also described here is memorabilia concerning the Rev. Thomas Brigden and Kingswood School; Cornelius Fielder; and the Winnipeg Community Players.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
Arrangement has been imposed by the arranging archivist.
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
No restrictions on access; advance notice required to view.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
No reproduction without prior written permission.
Finding aids
The Finding Aid is the fonds decription.
Associated materials
Associated material: Other personal papers and photographic materials pertaining to the Brigden family have been accessioned by the University of Manitoba Archives.
Accruals
Further accruals are not expected at this time.
Edition
Graphic images include photographs, postcards, negatives and photographic illustrations.
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Toronto Engraving Company (Subject)
Genre access points
Control area
Description record identifier
Institution identifier
Rules or conventions
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Language of description
- English