Date Range

1953-1956

Description Level

Item

Physical Description

4 softcover books.

History Biographical

The books came from donor's aunt Elaine Donaldson, who ran the toy department of the Lethbridge Eaton's Store for many years in the 1950's. She gave the books as a gift when the donor was a young child. Elaine Donaldson worked in the Eaton's toy department from 1950 until around 1959, when she moved to Calgary. The toy department was part of the hardware department 253, located on the lower level, managed by Mr. Soady and Bob MacCambly. Originally the Eaton's store in Winnipeg supplied their unsold toy stock to the Lethbridge location. Elaine convinced store management to order toys directly from the supplier. Subsequently the Lethbridge toy department became the most successful toy department for Eatons between Winnipeg and Vancouver according to Elaine. Baby carriages were part of the toy department but many remained unassembled and unsold. Elaine and Louisa Ambo, another toy department clerk, took it upon themselves to learn how to assemble the carriages. Eventualy all the remaining stock at the store and warehouse was sold.

Acquisition Source

Bob Gammon

Scope and Content

4 Punkinhead themed children's books produced by the T. Eaton Company in the 1950s.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20221052

Collection

Archive

Less detail