Pictou County Postcards
Vintage Postcards from Pictou County, Nova Scotia

THE EAST RIVER

PANORAMA OF NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00728
Photographer: Probably Torry family
Printer: Unknown Belgian company
Publisher: W. H. Torry, Bookseller & Stationer
Postmark: February 16, 1909

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EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00008
Photographer: Probably Torry family
Printer: Unknown Belgian company
Publisher: Torry's Book Store
Postmark: July 16, 1906, Trenton, NS

This card was mailed to Miss Margaret MacGregor, The Ben-Grosvenor, Pomfret, Conn., the sender writes "Thanks very much for the swell postal you sent me. It brought the number of my collections up to 175. I wrote you a letter the 9th. W.W.F. Write soon." Exchanging postcards was a popular pastime and clearly these two people were doing just that.

One has to wonder what this pair with the canoe was up to and if they managed to stay dry. The Torry's often made excursions to the river, and a bottle sometimes went along for the ride, even though some members of the family were proponents of the Temperance movement.

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW

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Collection ID#: PC 0002
Photographer: Waldren
Printer: Unidentified
Publisher: W.H. Torry, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: Jan 26, 1906, New Glasgow, NS

This card was mailed to Miss Lila Crockett of Hopewell, NS. The Crockett's were friends of the Torry's and bought most of their postcards from them. The sender says "I hope you have not got this yet but I think it is new. Love Vera", a little note that firmly sets the publication and original photo date as being prior to 1906.

This view was also published by Grant Brothers of Stellarton, although the Torry published cards are more frequently seen. The image is identified in Nova Scotia's Industrial Centre, 1916, in the frontispiece photo, as a Waldren photo and the location is noted as being "near New Glasgow Pumping Station, opposite the Stellarton Bridge."

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC0003
Photographer: Waldren
Printer: Unknown Belgian firm
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: ? 28, 1907

As noted with PC0002A above, this image was also used on postcards published by Grant Brothers of Stellarton. Caption notes in Nova Scotia's Industrial Centre, 1916 identify the photographer as Waldren and the location as being "near the Stellarton Pumping Station". The photo was taken by Waldren sometime prior to 1906 as established above on postcard #0002.

The card is addressed to Mrs James McLean, Chatham, N.B., Ch. D. Sadler Esq. and the sender, her niece Eliza writes " Dear Aunt Maggie, I am going home on July 1st on Dominion Day.I'll be on the Express Maritime gets to the ? ? @ 12:45 at night so if some one come to your door that hour of the night don't think it is a burgler. I have had a dreadful cold since the closings and have been resting here @ Miss Kerr's my room mates house. I did not feel fit on the journey and I've been having a lovely rest here. I was about done but wish I cd stay longer but it is impossible. if anything happens to me Monday I'll show up sometime soon. Love Eliza"

NEW GLASGOW, NS, WEST SIDE SHOWING WATER FRONT

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Collection ID#: PC0004
Photographer: Not identified yet
Printer: Unknown Belgian
Publisher: W.H. Torry, Bookseller & Stationer, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: June 22, 1910 New Glasgow, NS

A rather mundane view of the East River, that is probably a bit further east along the river than usual, as there is no sign of the West Side Park at the left of the image. Do you know anything about this image or can you pinpoint it on a Google map? If so please email me and I will add the info.

This card is addressed to E. F. Puddington, 146 Queen St., Halifax and the message simply reads " Will be here for a few days." ES?

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00005
Photographer: Unidentified
Printer: Unknown Belgian
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: July 12, 1906 Charlottetown, PEI

The message on this card reads " We had a grand sail across the Northumberland. Hope the return trip next Saturday will be equally pleasant. I thought of you often this week. Love to Nora ?? SSJ" . It is addressed to Miss K. McAdam, c/o Mr. Hugh McAdam, Sydney, C.B.

CANOEING SCENE, NEW GLASGOW

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Collection ID#: PC 00006
Photographer: Probably Torry family
Printer: Real Photo Postcard
Publisher: Unknown (probably Torry)
Postmark: November 21, 1905 - New Glasgow, NS

An extremely rare postcard and my favourite in the collection! This real photo postcard was produced from the same original photo that was used to produce PC0007 (shown below), a Torry's Book Store postcard printed by an unknown Belgian company. I have never seen this image published on a subequent commercial postcard, by anyone other than the Torry family, so I believe that the Torry's were likely responsible for taking the original photograph.

Stamped in blue ink with J. J. Crockett, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in lower left front corner, this card was mailed to Gaston Porcher, Rue Basse Foulerie, Dourdon, France. Perhaps Gaston Porcher was the person who acted as the intermediary between the Torry's and the company in Belgium who printed their postcards? At this time, I do not have much information about Mr. Porcher, although he appears to have some degree of financial independance, and he was interested in theatre and the arts. The Crockett's were friends of the Torry's and bought most of their postcards at Torry's Book Store.

The card back is an interesting example of an early real photo postcard back and it features a rubber hand stamped logo and stamp box. The name "Wanda" is clearly seen on the front of the canoe.

"A SHADY NOOK" EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00007
Photographer: Probably Torry family
Printer: Unknown Belgian company
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: Illegible

This published postcard was subsequently made from the image shown on the real photo postcard PC 00006 above. This card is also very rare. In 9 years of collecting I have only run across only 1 other card with this image and, one taken the same day with the subject in a slightly different position. Both cards were published by the Torry family and are in my collection. This card was purchased with the real photo postcard above, and I was told both cards came from the same estate lot.

The card was mailed to Miss Hilda Langille, Oliver, Col. Co., NS and the message reads as follows. "Hello Hilda. We got here safe. I had a great ride on the train coming. We are going to a picnic this afternoon. I expect we will have a great time. I have not got homesick yet. If you want a fellow Hilda, first come to Trenton. There's a nice one not far from here. I'll tell you about him when I go home. He uses a staff. Bessie. Add(ress) Trenton, Pictou County, NS. Be sure and send me a card."

A COZY NOOK, NEAR NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00186
Photographer: Probably Torry family
Printer: Unknown German printer
Publisher: Unknown
Postmark: March 2, 1910 - Halifax & Sydney, NS

The photo for this postcards was clearly taken at the same time as the photos for PC 00006 and PC 00007 above. The pose is slightly different, but it is definitely the same person, canoe and scene.

Mailed to L.P McLaren, Moose River, Pictou Co., NS, The sender notes that they "Will leave Truro 10:45 pm" and signed the card "King".

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID: PC 00010
Photographer: Probably Torry family
Printer: Unknown Belgian firm
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: July ?, 1906 -Truro, NS & July 19, 1906 - Fall River, Massachusetts, USA.

This East River canoe scene was quite popular and was reprinted by the Torry's several times. I have found no other instance of another publisher using this image, and therefore believe that the Torry's could be named as the probable photographer.

This card was mailed to Mr. Malechie McFarlane, 12 May St, Fall River, Mass. It is dated July 5, 1906 and the sender writes "I am in Truro waiting for the train to New Glasgow. Hope you are all well. I had a poor trip by boat - over crowded and poor accomodations. Flora"

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00233
Photographer: Probably Torry
Printer: Unknown Belgian company
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: August 20, 1907 - Hopewell, NS

Addressed to Miss Ella Spear (?), Litchfield, Maine. The message reads " Dear Ella, We are all here having a fine time. Wish you could be with us. This place is quite near my home. Give my regards to all. Willard is well. Hoping you are all well @ Cameron. R.F.D."

CANOEING ON EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00011
Photographer: Probably Torry
Printer: Unknown Belgian firm
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: July 10, 1907, New Glasgow, NS & JULY 10, 1907, Pictou, NS

This idyllic canoe scene has a woman and a small child in the canoe and the original photo was taken at a time of year when all the leaves were off the trees. The card is addressed to Miss Ada M. Yorsten, Pictou, NS and simply initialed W.M. in the lower left corner.

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00158
Photographer: Possibly Torey
Printer: Unknown Belgian company
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: Illegible

Perhaps this is the same woman and child as shown in the canoe scene above? The trees do not have leaves and the woman's hat appears to be the same.

This postcard was mailed to Mrs. A.H. Garrett, 262 Grace Street, Toronto, Ont. The message reads " Hello Edna - Your card received will write tommorrow. Am going to Pictou Landing for the holiday. It is turning cold but this child hasn't a coat yet. Still broke. Love to all. Lila".

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00063
Photographer: Possibly Torey
Printer: Unknown - Possibly Ayer (as per notes Rodney Mackay)
Publisher: Unknown
Postmark: Jan 23, 1904 - New Glasgow, NS

This black & white card has the same image as shown on PC0158. The white border looks similar to the much later PECO published cards but is wider on the right hand side. The back is an Ayer type back.

This card was mailed to Miss Burnett, 1 Elmwood Road, Egremont, England by her Uncle Joe, who somewhat sarcastically notes " I am properly out in the wilds now."

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00237
Photographer: Waldren
Printer: Warwick Bros & Rutter Limited, Publishers, Toronto
Publisher: Warwick Bros & Rutter Limited, Publishers, Toronto
Postmark: Sept 11, 1905, New Glasgow and Sept 10, 1905, Providence, Rhode Island

The original photo for this very popular postcard design was taken prior to August 1905 as evidenced by the postmark on the front & back of PC0012A and on this card. The photographer is identified as Waldren, in Nova Scotia's Industrial Centre, page 1, frontispiece photos.

It is hard to say whether Warwick's published the card first and Torry's bought it from them, or if perhaps the Torry's submitted the Waldren image to be printed and Warwick's then added it to their lineup for sale through other avenues. The Torry card below (PC 0012) has the earlier postmark, but only by a month. If anyone finds an earlier date for this image, I would be very interested in hearing about it.

This card was mailed to Mr. T. Usher Devoll, 19 Arcade Bldg, Providence, R. I.

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00012
Photographer: Waldren
Printer: Wawick Bros. & Rutter Limited, Publishers, Toronto. Card #1341
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: New Glasgow on back is unclear but appears to be 1905. Also postmark on front of card is Lyons Brook (post office closed Nov 30, 1945) Aug 17, year is illegible.

This card has the earliest postmark of all the cards with this image (in my collection). The photographer is identified as Waldren in Nova Scotia's Industrial Centre, 1916, page 1. The original photo was taken prior to August of 1905 as evidenced by postmarks on front & back of this card and on card #PC0237. The card is cut unusually small at only 140mm x 82mm. The address and message are mostly illegible.

This very popular image of a young girl fishing was used by all the local postcard publishers and many variations exist. Later cards were cropped so that the young girl did not show, presumably because her dress dated the image or perhaps for copyright reasons. Postmarks for this image span the 20 year period from 1905 to 1925.

ONE OF MANY PRETTY SPOTS, EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00014
Photographer: Waldren
Printer:
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: July 23, 1925 - Place illegible

Addressed to Mr & Mrs. L. Calvin Perry, Yarmouth North, NS, the sender writes "Friday, New Glasgow. Came here this afternoon. Going to Pictou all night then Halifax and home. Don't expect any more cards. (Signature illegible)."

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00013
Photographer: Waldren.
Printer: Unknown Belgian company
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: September 14, 1907, New Glasgow, NS

The photographer has been identified as Waldren in Nova Scotia's Industrial Centre, 1916, page 2, frontispiece photo. The original photo was taken prior to August of 1905 (see cards #PC0012A and PC0237A above). This card was in circulation for about 15 years and possibly longer.

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00130
Photographer: Waldren. Prior to Aug 1905 (see notes with PC0012)
Printer: McCoy Printing Company, Moncton, NB
Publisher: McCoy Printing, Moncton, NB
Postmark: 1910, Sacramento, California

This postcard is a later version of the images shown above of the little girl fishing on the river bank. The image is identical other than the colouration and the fact that the left hand third of the picture with the girl in it has been cropped out and the viewpoint is more zoomed in. Publishers at the time were not as diligent about copyright as they are today and doing this made it look like they were producing a totally new card.

The card was mailed to Mrs. S. A. Reid in Truckee, California. The message reads " Got your card. Wish I was up there tonight. It is about 100 degrees here more or less. Everybody is kicking in Oak Park about Annexation yet that is all the news. Rich" (? signature not clear).

VIEW ON EAST RIVER NEAR NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00061
Photographer: Waldren.
Printer: Valentine. Card #108160? Printed in Great Britain
Publisher: Jas. McLean & Sons, Pictou and New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: May 5, 1914, New Glasgow, NS

The original photo was taken prior to August of 1905 (see notes with cards PC 0012, PC 0013, PC 0014 & PC 0237 above, identified in Nova Scotia's Industrial Centre, 1916, page 1.) but this is a much later version of that photo. As noted above, photos were often reused years later in subsequent printings with alterations made to make it look like it was a new card. In this case the publishers had the little girl painted out, perhaps because it dated the image, or for copyright reasons.

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00118
Photographer: Unidentified
Printer: Unidentified
Publisher: Unidentified
Postmark: July 4, 1908?

This card was mailed to Miss Carrie W. Eickloff, Madrid, Maderia Co., California. The sender, Rita Fraser, has carefully placed numbers on the front of the postcard, which can been seen with the aid of a magnifying glass. Her message to Carrie reads as follows. "No 1 is the Club Boat House, 2 is Skating Rink, 3 The Tramway Bridge, 4 Post Office. Had a lovely 25 of May. The reason we still celebrate on that day is because King Edward's birthday is the 9th of November and it is much too cold here at that time for any good times."

From the numbers shown on the card front, this photo must have been taken from the West Side, from a vantage point between the George Street Bridge and the Tramway Bridge. The post office is clearly marked on the high point at left of card, the boat house (marked No 1) is the white building right on the river, and the No 2 appears if you look very carefully on the far right hand side of the card, just about in the middle of the tree. This is the only card that I know of, that shows this view point and section of the river.

VIEW OF NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00213
Photographer: Unidentified
Printer: Unknown Belgian company
Publisher: W. H. Torry, Bookseller and Stationer
Postmark: April 1, 1910, New Glasgow, NS and West River Station, NS

This card is unusual for two reasons. The photo was taken from the West Side at a vantage point at some distance beyond the West Side Park and it is the only view I know of, that was taken from this general area of the river. The George St Bridge can be seen in the distance at the right hand side of the card. Also this card lists the publisher as W.H. Torry, "Bookseller and Stationer", and this is the only card with this wording on it, that I recall.

The sender dated the card April 1, 1910, and writes Better Come to Green office to Morrow. I Be there. CC. The card recipient was Anna Brownrigg, West River, Pictou, Co., NS.

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00026
Photographer: Unidentified
Printer: International Fine Art Co., Printed in Saxony
Publisher: International Fine Art Co., Montreal
Postmark: Illegible

Addressed to Mrs. M. C. Abbott, East Andover, NH, USA, Care (of) C. Swain. The sender commented that "St John to New Glasgow today. We are in a fine tourist house overnight. Had dinner at Pugwash and supper in Pictou. Fine time. Sun came out when we crossed the line into NS. First time we've seen it. F??B"

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00101
Photographer: Unidentified
Printer: Possibly International Fine Art. Co.? (see notes below)
Publisher: See notes below
Postmark: Aug 18, year not stamped

The view on this postcard is identical to PC 0026 above. While this card is not clearly identified as published by International Fine Art Co., the fact that the words Printed in Canada and a logo that would have been appropriate for this company do appear on the back. Also I have seen no other cards of this view by other publishers. This is just a guess on my part. Can anyone confirm this?

The card was mailed to Miss Cornelia Mohrmann, 7614-88th Ave., Woodhaven, Long Island, NY. The message reads " Dear Cornie, Why don't you drop a line once in a while. Our house is just about where I marked the x on the front. See if you can find me? Having a good time. Elizabeth. Box 714, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia"

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00064
Photographer: Waldren
Printer: Unknown Belgian company
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: Jan 5, 1907, New Glasgow, NS

Waldren is identified as the photographer for this image on page 2 (frontispiece) in Nova Scotia's Industrial Centre published in 1916. The same photo also appeared in New Glasgow and Surrounding Towns, and a larger copy of the image from that book can be seen at http://www.parl.ns.ca/surroundingtowns/New%20Glasgow/pages/eastriver.htm . This card was mailed to Miss Laura A. Smith of Lunenburg, NS.

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00117
Photographer: Unidentified
Printer: International Fine Art Co., Printed in Saxony
Publisher: International Fine Art C

This postcard was never used but has a rubber hand stamped date of AUG 1935 on back in the lower left corner.

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00205
Photographer: Unidentified
Printer: Unidentified
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: Illegible

Addressed to Mrs. J. H. Douglas, Victoria St. East, Amherst, NS, the writer writes "8:30 Tuesday a.m. Just leaving for Antigonish. Had lovely moonlight drive from Pictou last night. Got here 10:30. So lovely today. Be good! N. T. R."

EAST RIVER FROM PARK, NEW GLASGOW, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA - 21.

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Collection ID#: PC 00594
Photographer: Unknown
Printer: Photogelatine Engraving Company Ltd., Toronto
Publisher: Photogelatine Engraving Company Ltd., Toronto
Postmark: Unused card

I don't know if this park still exists, although I see from a photograph on the Town of New Glasgow's Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=394089563945337&set=a.379414285412865.86044.297905660230395&type=3&theater
that the path is still there.

SKATING ON EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, NS

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Collection ID#: PC 00009
Photographer: Probably Torry family
Printer: Unknown Belgian company
Publisher: Torry's Book Store, New Glasgow, NS
Postmark: Card used but never mailed. Feb 14, 1908 is handwritten on back.

Addressed to Miss Gertrude Gelman, 14 English Street, Salem, Mass. the sender writes that this is "Some of the present sport in N.G. and it's one kind of sport yours truly enjoys. (Signature is illegible) . This scene served as the basis for a new "heritage" painting that now hangs in the Town of New Glasgow offices. http://www.newglasgow.ca/plan-your-visit/heritage/heritage-painting-gallery2/80-skating-on-the-river

EAST RIVER, NEW GLASGOW, N.S.

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Collection ID#: PC 00657
Photographer: Possibly George White
Printer: Unknown, Printed in Germany
Publisher: George White, New Glasgow, N.S. No. 3
Postmark: None

This postcard becomes even more interesting when you read the message on the back. Addressed to Mrs. G. B. Pearce, it says "Dear Mother, This is a view of the trotting race meeting being held on the frozen river. They drag these very light sleighs. I did not see this river although it is close to the town." It is signed "Frozen Norman".