An artist's sketches of his journey across Canada.
"1888::Advertisement for Canadian Pacific Railway's Transcontinental Route"
Ad Clip: Victoria Daily Times (1888)
In 1888, award-winning English artist and journalist Melton Prior embarked on an extraordinary assignment for a famous London newspaper. His mission was to cross two oceans and send back illustrations of the world he saw. He began by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada, then crossed Canada by rail to the Pacific Ocean. On his five-day journey across the country, he sketched the interesting people he met and the beautiful places he saw. Scenes on the 3-year-old Canadian Pacific Railway were ideal for sketching. Prior found inspiration not just in the beauty outside his window but in the transcontinental train itself, particularly in its new sleeping carriages dubbed 'The Immigrant Cars.' These sketches became the first illustrations of his mission to be published in the London newspaper.
"The scenery is grand beyond the power of language to paint." - Melton Prior, Artist and Journalist (Across Two Oceans, 1888)
"1888::Scene Inside an Immigrant Car on the New Canadian Pacific Railway"
Sketch Clip: Illustrated London News (1888)
London, England
There were 14 sleeping carriages attached to the train, each filled with 26 passengers in seats that could be converted into beds at night. It was less private and less luxurious than travelling in a first-class stateroom, but also cheaper. Regardless of class, passenger comfort was a priority on the Canadian Pacific line. Eleven dining cars served hearty meals, and each carriage had two toilet rooms that were comfortable and easy to access. An outdoor viewing car at the rear of the train was where a man could smoke a cigar and enjoy the scenery, though he was occasionally overwhelmed by the train's engine smoke. No matter where the passengers passed their time, the train was the perfect place to meet others who were heading west to begin their new life as Canadian citizens.
"1888::Leaving Calgary and Heading West on the Canadian Pacific Railway Line"
Sketch Clip::Illustrated London News (1888)
London England
"Calgary is a very pretty little town situated between the Bow and Elbow rivers, overlooked by the white peaks of the rocky mountains." - Melton Prior (Across Two Oceans, 1888)
"1888::Building the Banff Springs Hotel"
Sketch Clip: The Illustrated London News (1888)
London, England
"This place abounds in medicinal springs, and in addition to the cottages and small hostelries that now exist, the railway company is building a very large and well-appointed hotel, which will offer first-class accommodation." - Melton Prior (Across Two Oceans, 1888) ... regarding the building of the Banff Springs Hotel that still exists today.
"1888::A 30-Minute Lunch Break in Field, British Columbia"
Sketch Clip: Illustrated London News (1888)
London, England
Having just left Banff, Prior's train stopped for a half-hour lunch break at the Stephen Railway Station in Field, British Columbia. At the time, the station was believed to be 5,300 feet above sea level, and the peak of Mount Stephen a towering 8,300 feet above the station. The mountain and the station were named after the president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Sir George Stephen.
"1892::Melton Prior - A Self Portrait"
Sketch Clip: Illustrated London News
London, England
When Prior reached the Pacific coast, he took a short break from his work. He visited his brother on Vancouver Island, then travelled south along the coast to California and the Isthmus of Panama. He crossed the Pacific to Britain's Australasian colonies and eventually returned home to London, completing his assignment for the newspaper. It was said that Prior's work had great power and originality, having captured an illustrated version of the world's history through the medium of his pencil.