BOOKCASE

Description: GLASS FRONT BOOK CASE, ON LEFT SIDE WITH 4 ADJUSTABLE SHELVES. ORNAMENT SHELF ABOVE BOOK CASE. WRITING DESK HAS DRAWER, PIGEON HOLES, DRAWER AND CUPBOARD BELOW DESK. BOTTOM DOOR KNOB DENTED. KIDNEY SHAPED MIRROR ABOVE DESK. ORNATE BRASS HANDLES. STAMPED "388" ON BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER.

History: REF: SEARS ROEBUCK CATALOGUE 1908. *UPDATE* NICOLE HEMBROFF, COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT, INTERVIEWED RON BATSFORD (WILLIAM BLACKER'S NEPHEW) ABOUT THIS ARTIFACT IN 2010. THE ARTIFACT WAS INCLUDED IN A SURVEY OF PALLET RACKING. ACCORDING TO RON BATSFORD, THE BOOKSHELF WAS KEPT IN THE BLACKER FAMILY'S LIVING ROOM. BATSFORD COULD NOT RECALL WAHAT WAS HELD IN THE BOOKSHELF BUT THOUGHT IT WAS LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN "BOOKS AND ITEMS RELATED TO CHURCH." THE BLACKER FAMILY AND THEIR RELATIVES, SUCH AS THE PICKFORDS AND BATSFORDS, WERE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE CHRISTADELPHIAN ECCLESIA (LOCATED ON 633 7TH ST. SOUTH). BATSFORD CLAIMED THE BOOKSHELF WAS ORIGINIALLY ACQUIRED WHEN SYD BATSFORD AND BILLY PICKFORD BOUGHT THE GALT HOUSE AT 412 7TH AVE. S. IN AROUND 1919 OR 1920. BATSFORD SUSPECTED THE BOOKSHELF WAS IN THE HOUSE WHEN THEY PURCHASED IT. THEY LATER GAVE THE BOOKSHELF TO BLACKER WHO USED IT IN HIS HOME ON 1225 6TH AVE. S. BATSFORD THOUGHT BLACKER DONATED THE BOOKSHELF TO THE GALT BECAUSE HE WANTED TO HELP PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF LETHBRIDGE. SEE PERMANENT FILE AND P19640615000 FOR MORE INFORMATION.