Diorama
T. Eaton Company Records
Reference Code: F 229-308-0-730
Archives of Ontario |
Much of
the magic of the festive season swirls around children and toys
and there's nothing more heart-warming than seeing a young face
light up upon opening a Christmas gift and discovering a longed-for
toy inside.
Most of us can remember a favourite toy from our childhood.
Maybe you still have it. Maybe it's been passed down to a child
or grandchild and is still being enjoyed. Maybe it eventually broke
and fell out of use. Or, maybe it simply disappeared over the years.
But, whatever happened, those toys still have the
power to evoke childhood memories. Memories of what seems a simpler
time. And memories of holiday seasons past when the most important
things in the world came wrapped in brightly coloured paper.
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Last Christmas the Archives
of Ontario remembered an Eatons
Christmas and we asked members of the public to send
us their memories of how Eatons, with its Toyland, catalogue and
Santa Claus parade impacted on their lives. We had many delightful
responses and posted a sampling of them on our memories
page. |
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Fall and Winter Catalogue, 1943-44
T.
Eaton Company Records
Reference Code: F 229-1-0-148
Archives of Ontario |
One particularly poignant letter stood out and illustrated how
the memory of a cherished toy stays with us.
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“ Dear Santa: On Christmas 1944 I was 8 years old. I received
an Eatons Doll that year that had been ordered for me
by my brother who had been killed in November of that
same year, off the coast of Newfoundland, while serving
in the Canadian Navy.
I would
dearly love to see a picture of the Eaton Doll produced
for 1944, as I gave the doll away to a little girl who
didn't have a doll, many years ago. Would that be possible?
Your Eaton Memories Page is wonderful, it brought tears
of joy to my heart!
Sincerely
Lorraine G. Livingston”. |
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Repeated attempts by the
Archives to contact Ms. Livingston were unsuccessful but we hope
we can reach her with this virtual exhibit. We hope too, that, among
the images we've included, she finds that treasured doll she gave
away so many years ago. Maybe as you look through our Toyland Gallery
you'll see a toy that evokes a special memory of your own. |
| UPDATE: On December 20, 2007 and we received this email from Mrs. Livingston. |
“Hi: Yes, I am the Mrs. Livingston you have been searching for. Thank you for finding me and showing me a photo of my precious doll of the past. It has indeed brought back memories that are engraved in my mind for ever. Eaton's has been a Canadian icon that will never fade away from our memories-those wonderful decorated downtown Toronto Eaton's store windows, the toy floor, the cakes decorated and displayed for Christmas, and that wonderful memory of Santa himself holding children on his lap while their photo was taken. Then each child got to choose a toy to take home. What a memory! Those are but a few of Eaton's gifts of Christmas to their faithful shoppers and friends. Thank you again, sincerely L.G. Livingston,..... and Merry Christmas!”
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The Archives of Ontario wishes you
and yours a happy and healthy holiday season and invites you to
step back in time and remember The Toys of Our Childhood.
Merry Christmas, Ms. Livingston, wherever you are.
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T. Eaton Company Records
Reference Code: F 229-162-0-1215
Archives of Ontario |
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No. 72 Christmas Catalogue, 1905 (Toronto)
T. Eaton Company Records
Reference Code: F 229-231-0-5
Archives of Ontario |
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This festive season the Archives of Ontario
has found historical images and film clips in its holdings
that span different eras and reflect on the changing nature
of toys and of times gone by.
These images are just a few from the huge
collection held at the Archives of Ontario.
Visit the Archives or view our on-line databases
including our Visual
Database that contains over 9,000 historical
images.
To learn more about the collections
used in this exhibit, click here.
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Acknowledgements:
The Archives of Ontario thanks Sears Canada for
giving permission to use images from the T. Eaton Company fonds
held at the Archives of Ontario. |
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Note:
There are a number of video files included in this virtual exhibit.
To view them you will need either a Windows
Media Player or a Quicktime
Player. Both of these applications are available
for free download.
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If
you wish to download a free player application click on one
of the icons to the right or one of the links above to go to
the appropriate web site.
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