 National Archives of Canada C-63256 |
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The prize-winning "girl from Canada" wears a slouch hat, associated with horseback riders in the American west. A banner bearing the Canadian coat-of-arms is wrapped around her skirt. Both the bicycle and its superstructure are decorated with Canadian wheat -- probably Manitoba No.1 Hard. British flags (Union Jacks) signal Canada's Imperial connection. The Chinese lanterns are in no way symbolic, however, given Canada's negative attitude at that time to Asian immigration, particularly Chinese.
Canadian agents regularly displayed Canadian wheat and other produce at English country fairs, and handed out advertising material to the crowds of visitors.
A bright future awaited British domestics in western Canada, the pamphlet suggested: Canada has an ever growing excess of males over females of no less a number than 150,000 ... as a matter of fact, a very large percentage enter the matrimonial state shortly after their arrival, in turn become themselves mistresses requiring help in their household duties. A 1913 pamphlet offered words of caution to domestics who came to Canada in search of a husband: In many cases where a farmer on a homestead wants a wife it means that she is to have all the drudgery and worry of a farm house in embryo and gets no wages for her work. The longer a girl works in Canada for a good wage the more particular she becomes in the selection of a life partner. |
 National Archives of Canada C-80108 |
| The Early Years 1870-1897 |
Advertising in Britain 1900-1916 |
Advertising in Europe 1900-1920s |
Presenting newcomers to Canada, 1910-1911 |
Advertising in the United States 1900-1920s |
Advertising in Britain 1920s |