The Malcolm Lowry Manuscripts Collection includes textual records, photographs, and a variety of audio-visual materials organized into sous-fonds by creator. The Collection is predominantly textual records; the majority of materials are correspondence and manuscripts, many of which have been microfilmed.

The core of the Malcolm Lowry Manuscripts Collection is the Malcolm Lowry Papers, and the content of the Collection is consequently thematic. Materials pertaining to Malcolm Lowry’s life and works were collected by RBSC from a variety of sources, including Lowry’s friends and family.

As of the 2023 rearrangement of the Collection, the records are arranged in sous-fonds as follows:

SF01 Malcolm Lowry Papers
SF02 Margerie Lowry Papers
SF03 Earle Birney Papers
SF04 Harvey Burt Papers
SF05 Victor Doyen Papers
SF06 Anthony Kilgallin Papers
SF07 Carol Betty Atwater Papers
SF08 William McConnell Papers
SF09 David Markson Papers
SF10 Einar Neilson Papers
SF11 William Templeton Papers
SF12 Lowry Family Papers
SF13 Photographs
SF14 Microfilm
SF15 Douglas Day Papers
SF16 Rudy Wurlitzer Papers
SF17 Francillon and Nadeau Papers

The fonds consists of records which document books and ephemera published by Rollin Milroy’s three printing presses: A Lone Press, Heavenly Monkey, and Heavenly Monkey Editions, as well as other independent and collaborative projects published by other printing presses. The records include setting copies, detailed layout schematics, dummies of final books, printing schedule sequences, proof impressions, make-ready copies, and various impression proof and waste/reject sheets, as well as printing blocks and printing plates, photographs, negatives and other documents related to the printing and publication process. The fonds also includes correspondence related to the production and publication of books, ephemera, newspaper articles and lecture notes written by Milroy on various subjects related to letterpress printing.

The fonds is arranged into the following five series: Heavenly Monkey publishing records, (1997-2010), Heavenly Monkey Editions publishing records (2002 – 2010), Other printing press publishing records (1996-2008), Correspondence (2002-2010), and Professional activity records (ca. 1980-2004).

Fonds contains materials arising from Anna Banana’s activities in the Mail Art network, her collecting of published materials and artworks, her performance art, exhibitions of her work and others, promotion of her activities, the production of various publications including VILE magazine, and the creation of visual art including artist trading cards, artistamps, collage, drawings and paintings. Materials were created in Victoria and Vancouver from 1964-1973, San Francisco from 1973 to 1982, Vancouver from 1982 to 1995 and the Sunshine Coast from 1995 to 2020, as well as on various tours and travels throughout this whole period. Materials are often focused on the neodadaist movements of San Francisco in the 1970s and beyond, as well as involvement in the Mail Art Network and performance art, and Anna’s personal and professional life.

The fonds is divided into 10 series: Mail art and correspondence, Interactive/performance art, Anna Banana’s publications, Artworks, Artist Trading Cards, Artistamps, Exhibitions, Photographs, Press, Collected publications. Records include textual materials, particularly letters, postcards, books, periodicals, zines, and other published materials; graphic materials such as envelope art, photographs, collage, xerox art, ink and pencil drawings, and watercolour; and other items such as CDs, DVDs, and various artefacts.

Fonds illustrates Mayrs’s work in visual arts, limited edition book design and publishing, and advertising and PR. It also contains records relating to his personal interests and family history.
The materials are arranged into three series, reflecting his different careers and personal life. Visual art and literary project records include: exhibition ephemera; photographic reproductions of Mayrs’s work; mockups, drafts, and unused material from projects; concepts and designs of unpublished and in-progress works; and correspondence related to his art practice. Advertising and PR project records include ads designed by Mayrs; administrative and ephemeral materials associated with Dome Advertising; and a small number of textual records relating to Mayrs’ work at Lovick BBDO. Personal records include Mayrs’ documentation of his family history; press clippings that profile Mayrs; and other photographs and ephemera that relate to his personal and aggregate professional life.

This fonds consists of records relating to the Queer Arts Festival hosted by SUM Gallery. The records are separated by festival year, as follows:
• 2006: Joy Along the Continuum
• 2007/2008: Gender Twist
• 2009: Faerie Tales
• 2010: Queertopia
• 2011: Games People Play
• 2012: Random Acts of Queerness
• 2013: Transgression Now
• 2014: ReGenerations
• 2015: Trigger: Drawing the Line
• 2016: Stonewall was a Riot
• 2017: UnSettled
• 2018: DECADEnce
• 2019: rEvolution
• 2020: Wicked
• 2021: DISPERSED: it’s not easy being green

Records consists of newspaper articles; QAF programs, brochures, booklets, and other promotional materials; Pride booklets and promotional materials; legal documents like licenses and permits; music scores; scripts – opera libretto; press reviews and patron comments; artist statements; and internal staff documents like checklists, prep notes, price lists, job duties, conferences, board meetings, stages and staging notes.

Fonds consists of material that reflects Charles van Sandwyk's development as an artist, illustrator and publisher of fine books in Vancouver. Materials include original artwork (watercolours, etchings), exhibition posters, book and book signing announcements, press proofs, broadsides, invitations, edition of the High Branch Society mail-outs (which include letters, cards, decorative envelopes, poems, and small copies of art), fabric banners, and medallions. Most of the items are signed by Charles. Some of these materials were brought together by Charles and the Joyce Williams Gallery; the arrangement of that material as it arrived has been maintained. Other materials were purchased from the creator and maintain the original order at the time of their acquisition.

The fonds reflects Patrice Pratt’s political and labour union careers and her community organization involvement. Records in the fonds relate to Pratt’s various roles within the Federal and Provincial NDP, as President of the BCNDP and as a constituency, committee, council, and party member, the BCGEU and BC Federation of Labour. Records consist of professional and personal correspondence, reports, communications, reference and resource material, convention materials, pamphlets and programs, newspaper clippings, agendas, minutes, resolutions, constitutions, policies, membership lists, campaign and platform materials, publications, campaign buttons, banners and other material. The fonds is divided into three series: Federal NDP, Provincial NDP and Labour Unions. The Provincial NDP series consists of two subseries: BCNDP President and BCNDP Associations, Committees and Advocacy.

As Pratt held various roles simultaneously throughout her career and much of her union work informed her political career, this overlap is reflected in her files. Records are divided into series based on the role held by Pratt at the beginning of the process, resulting in some record dates falling outside the official boundaries of the role she was working in.

Collection is made up of items collected by the UBC library, for an exhibition related to punk in the Irving K. Barber Learning Center lobby. It consists mostly of vinyl’s, with two textual records relating to the history of hardcore punk and D.O.A., both created by D.O.A. Vinyl records are predominantly by D.O.A., Pointed Sticks and The Dishrags, as well as other Vancouver based punk bands. The vinyl records were all pressed in 70s or early 80s, or re-pressings of records from that same period. The re-pressings contain extensive liner notes and other ephemera.

Fonds consists of correspondence, manuscripts, drafts, pamphlets, academic papers, poems, research material, notes, transcripts, reports, submissions, agreements, minutes, programmes, photographs, and other material. Records relate to Miki’s writing and editing activities, his academic career, his involvement and support of the Japanese Canadian Redress movement, his participation in various literary and cultural events and projects, and his personal life.

Fonds has been arranged into the following ten series: Teaching and Academic Records (1971-2004); Interview and Sound Recording Project Records (1981-2005); Literary and Cultural Events and Conferences Participation Records (1987-2017); Japanese Canadian Redress and History Records (1942-2009); Personal and Miscellaneous Correspondence (1974-2022); Writing and Editing (1912-2015); General Files (1962-2015); Awards and Honours (1990-2018); Ephemera and Memorabilia (1957-2015); UFFI action association (1982-1983).

The fonds consists of 22.89 m of textual records, ca. 2650 photographs and extensive audiovisual materials created and/or accumulated by the British Columbia History of Nursing Society (BCHNS). The BCHNS Archives established and organized records into broad groups: fonds/subfonds, collections, biographical files, oral histories and miscellaneous materials. These categories of records have been arranged as subfonds and series under the BCHNS fonds.

Materials related to the society include records created by the group in the course of its administrative activities, and accumulated in its function of preserving material related to the history of nursing in British Columbia and elsewhere. Much of the material has a historical value, both in regard to B.C. nursing, and farther afield. A brief history of the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia is included. While there are some earlier records, most date from 1985 to 2012. The records of several committees that made annual reports to the BCHNPPG are included. For example, the Oral History Committee was established in 1981 to document the development of nursing and to capture some of the stories and activities of B.C. nurses. The Memorial Nursing Portrait Collection committee was established in 1990 to raise money for the History of Nursing Scholarship fund and to provide a lasting visual memorial for a friend or family member. Histories of hospitals and individuals are also documented. Events, programs and displays are documented through graphic, audio and textual material. Reference material includes newsletters, records related to Florence Nightingale and the roles played by nurses in war. Postcards and other historical materials more generally related to nursing are also included. Fundraising initiatives, and financial records are also included along with membership information and activities.

Records not related to the formation and ongoing functions of the B.C. History of Nursing Society are divided into 35 subfonds. While the subfonds do not generally relate to specific functions of the BCHNS, they all contribute to a general understanding of individuals and groups of nurses who have contributed to the development of nursing in British Columbia. Many individuals are represented in more than one area of the larger fonds.

The original collections consist of 5.6 m of textual records and graphic materials, audiovisual material and an extensive reference library. The textual records include a comprehensive collection of UBC student cards from 1921 to 1994, several diplomas and certificates, and conference related materials. Records from the Kootenay Lake Hospital, the Kelowna General Hospital and the Prince Rupert General Hospital consist of nursing manuals, training schedules and ledgers. Extensive photographs document historical and educational displays prepared and presented by the BCHNS. Many audiovisual materials contain records created by the Society or provide general reference information. The reference library contains books concentrating primarily on B.C nursing and will be catalogued and made available separately.

Biographical files consist of 2.4 m of textual records and ca. 382 photographs related to nurses who have made significant contributions to their profession in British Columbia. Files include records related to the person’s life and career, photographs, copies of publications, memories and biographical information and other records relating to nursing activities in B.C. An item level contents list is located at the front of each file. A full index of the files, which includes a brief biography of each subject and the file contents is available in RBSC-ARC-1831-102-15.

The oral histories consists of recordings on ca. 320 audio cassettes, 72 CDs and related textual records. These interviews date from 1987 to 2013 and are arranged alphabetically by the subject’s last name. Many interviews exist in multiple formats or have multiple cassettes and/or CDs. A small portion of interviews of high quality and enduring interest have been copied to MP3 format, these materials will be made available upon request. Hard copy summaries are arranged alphabetically in this series. A detailed index of all the oral histories is located in RBSC-ARC-1831-013-13, which includes interviewer and interviewee names, topics discussed, date of recording and other relevant information.

The original 34 subfonds have been retained and arranged as such under the BCHNS fonds. A 2022 accrual added the Richmond-Delta Professional Practice Group subfonds. Records of the society are arranged in the following series:

1. Formation of the BCHNPPG
2. Annual General Membership Meeting files
3. Committee records
4. BCHNPPG chapter groups
5. Events, programs and displays
6. BCHNPG fundraising
7. History of the RNABC and its membership
8. RNABC
9. Published and reference material
10. Artifacts
11. Financial records
12. [Original Collections]
13. [Biographical Files]
14. [Oral Histories]
15. [Artifacts]

The collection reflects the genealogical interests of its collector, Robert Alvey, with a particular focus on the life of his first cousin once removed, A. Alexis Alvey, and on the movements and history of various Alvey family members. The collection consists mainly of correspondence between Robert Alvey and A. Alexis Alvey; other types of materials in the collection include photographs of Alvey family members, correspondence, newspaper clippings, reproductions of historical military certificates, and a miniature book created by Eva Louise Alvey Richards.

The collection contains materials related to Ian McDonald's Master's thesis research on the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 213 “Class conflict and political factionalism: a history of Local 213 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 1901-1961," and related to the activities of his father, Les McDonald, a trade union activist who belonged to Local 213 but was eventually suspended for leading the Lenkurt strike of 1966. Les McDonald was also a multi-sport athlete, and is credited with introducing the triathlon into the Olympics; some materials in the collection relate to Les McDonald's involvement in various sport and environmental organizations, as well as some of his personal papers. In addition to what he received from his father, Ian McDonald was also given papers by former IBEW Local 213 business manager Art O’Keeffe and Barry Sharbo, a board member of the Canadian Union of Electrical Workers (UE), as well as Alfie Huston, the former President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 213 from 1985-1988, which are included within the collection.

The collection is largely comprised of newspaper and photocopied journal articles, correspondence between members of IBEW Local 213, legal documentation, newsletters and other printed ephemera related to IBEW Local 213.

The collection also contains sound recordings of interviews with numerous figures in IBEW Local 213 created by Ian McDonald during his thesis research. McDonald's thesis, submitted for the completion of a Master of Arts in History at Simon Fraser University, can be found in the Summit database: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/6361.

The collection also contains background materials accumulated by McDonald while writing his book “The Red Baron of IBEW 213,” including digital sound recordings of interviews, research articles, notebooks, consent forms, a draft royalty agreement, a draft chapter and a press marketing questionnaire.

The collection consists primarily of copies, and a small number of photographs, of cartoons commenting on legal, political, social and other matters impacting the relationship between Indigenous people and the settler state of Canada. The collection also includes some other graphical depictions of Indigenous people in settler Canadian media, such as product advertisements, tourism marketing, and depictions of Indigenous people in historical artworks and photographs.

The images were collated from a large number of publications; these are primarily Canadian publications, as well as some American, British, and Indigenous-authored publications. A list of Indigenous sources consulted by the collector is available for researcher reference.

The fonds consists of published material, correspondence, proofs, manuscripts, reviews, broadsheets, polymer plates, photographs, artwork, orders, posters and promotional material.

The fonds reflects Susan McCaslin’s professional career as a writer, poet and teacher as well as her personal interests and involvement in societies, community initiatives, and organizations between 1960 and 2023. Records in the fonds relate to McCaslin’s literary work and publications in various independent volumes, edited works, chapbooks, anthologies, non-fiction monographs, magazines, small press publications, newspapers, University annuals, and religious and arts quarterlies among others. Publicity materials relating to her literary work, tours, reviews, presentations, performances and instructional sessions developed by McCaslin are included in the fonds. The fonds also includes materials created and received through McCaslin’s personal collaborations with fellow artists and authors, community work relating to the environment and her involvement with religious communities and other subject areas. Record types consist of written and email correspondence, chapbooks, zines, published works, magazines, newspaper clippings, promotional and reference materials, drafts, planning documents, reviews and feedback, awards, pamphlets, catalogues, newsletters, communications, posters, bus panels, photographs and other material. The fonds is divided into three series: Publications and Finished Works, Professional, Personal and Administrative Records, and Literary Promotion and Publicity.

The IABC fonds reflects the community collecting practices that the IABC undertook to preserve the history of Icelanders in British Columbia. Fonds is arranged in eight subfonds that reflect the various community organizations from which the archives originally collected.

Fonds documents the IABC’s commitment to preserving the lived experiences of its Icelandic community and is arranged into seven series that correspond to the IABC’s activities: administration and operation; providing educational programs and collecting biographies as well as written and oral histories; collecting Icelandic music; compiling a collection of Icelandic newspapers and publications; holding exhibits and events; acquiring photographic collections; and lastly acquiring collections of textual records, ephemera, and artifacts from its community.

Fonds also contains eight other subfonds of textual, photographic, audiovisual, and ephemeral material of Vancouver-based Icelandic Societies including the Sólskin Society, the Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia (ICC of BC), the Icelandic National League of North America (INL of NA), Icelandic Care Home Höfn Society, the Scandinavian Cultural Society (SCS), Ströndin Internet Radio, the Danish Archives, and the Icelandic Lutheran Church.

The fonds consists primarily of records relating to two specific areas of Larry Wong’s life – his writing and his interest in Chinese-Canadian History. Wong’s writings date as far back as his university days through to the publication of his book Dim Sum Stories: A Chinatown Childhood in 2011. Records reflect Wong’s time as the Director of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society and as a tour guide through Vancouver’s Chinatown. The fonds also includes personal documents and ephemera, including information relating to the immigration of both of his parents from China.

The fonds is divided into three series: Writings, Chinese-Canadian History and Personal documents and ephemera. Records consist of short stories, university writing assignments, newspaper articles, book proposals, screenplays, biographies, published works, grant applications, newspaper clippings, stamps, magazine articles, Cantonese language course materials, photographs, negatives, slides, photograph albums, scrapbooks, CDs, DVDs, a beret, pins, correspondence, report cards, certificates, magazine articles, journals, diaries, newspaper clippings, a chapbook, postcards, telegrams, cufflinks, a clothing pattern, a shadow box, and a medal.

The collection pertains to D.T. Willis’ career and involvement in construction projects throughout British Columbia predominately between 1948 and 1962. The collection includes numerous groups of photographs documenting the opening of the Hope-Princeton Highway, BC Department of Public Works construction projects and personnel, Engineering Conferences, BC Public Works Events and a 1948 image of the original 1880's wagon trail between Hope and Cache Creek, BC. Numerous photographs have annotations on the back, identifying subjects, dates, and contextual information. Textual materials also appear in the Collection, including a commemorative pamphlet for the Hope-Princeton Highway opening, car mileage recordings for several roadways, photograph indexes and identification sheets.

Collection consists of primary resources and related materials created and used by Canadian women composers. Each series is dedicated to one of the participating composers, which currently consists of Deborah Carruthers, Dorothy Chang, Zosha Di Castri, Lori Freedman, Barbara Monk Feldman, Ana Sokolović, Chiyoko Szlavnics, and Elizabeth Raum. Materials include a variety of records, such as original scores, manuscripts, working drafts, photographs, prints, published articles, correspondence, and materials used as inspiration in the artists' work. Going forward, the collection is expected to evolve and incorporate additional Canadian women composers.

The fonds consists of correspondence, reports, minutes of meetings and activities of the Vancouver Labour Committee for Human Rights.

The collection consists of photographs depicting Slavonic musicians, cultural and policial figures, scenes of Russian life and scenes from plays.

The fonds consists of minutes, correspondence, subject files, photographs, and printed material relating to the activities of the constituency office and two of its elected members, Rosemary Brown and Norman Levi.

The fonds consists of family papers, including Thomas and Samuel Sturges, from Britain which date from 1812 to 1883. It includes leases, wills, fire insurance policies and tax forms.

The fonds consists of correspondence, manuscripts, magazine articles, newspaper clippings concerning Technocracy Inc. and miscellaneous other topics, lecture notes and transcripts, writing and teaching guides, public speaking guides, activities calendars, promotional and printed materials, course books and study manuals, newsletters, receipts, obituaries, pamphlets, leaflets and booklets.

The fonds consists of typescripts, galley proofs and introductory paragraphs of The Waking: Poems, 1933-53.

The fonds consists of writings by Alan Whitehorn on the CCF, NDP, and the Communist Party. Fonds includes articles and manuscripts. Some texts are co-authored by Keith Archer.

The fonds consists of twenty-four incoming letters received by Walsh while at the Inkameep Indian Day School (1936-1941).

The fonds consists of papers of the Charlton family principally generated by Ormand Lee Charlton and his son Darwin, who in turn functioned as custodian of the records. The records themselves generally relate to the early CCF movement in British Columbia, and other socialist and labour movements across Canada. Papers include information about the Canadian Cooperative Society (Ruskin Mills) and the Industrial Union (Ruskin) in the 1890s. The fonds also includes several copies of the CCF news, the party newspaper, as well as scrapbooks, clippings, drafts of speeches and addresses, correspondence and photographs relate to the family's involvement in socialist politics. The fonds also includes a collection of CCF poems written by Charlton's wife Annie, and essays written by famed socialist thinker Mildred Macleod.

The fonds consists primarily of printed material relating to the Federation's decision to become a non-profit organization. Included are guidelines for society incorporation, surveys given to Federation members to ascertain their opinions about becoming a non-profit organization and literature on non-profit societies. Further material transferred in 2014 from the City of Vancouver Archives consists of surveys sent to various women's organizations asking their views on feminism, in preparation for the "Day of Feminism."

The fonds consists of correspondence, field circulars, financial records, licenses, a map, and miscellaneous items made or received by Bruce Woodsworth between 1936 and 1939 regarding his employment in Northern Rhodesian and Nyasaland in mining ventures.

The fonds consists of a typed transcript of French's autobiography which chronicles his experiences with the Hudson's Bay Company forts in their early days. It also includes a monograph entitled Transportation and Transportation Routes in British Columbia, a fragment of a work on gold mining and his family history.

The collection consists of photographs of scenery, hotels, railway bridges, and tunnels pertaining to the Canadian Pacific Railway.