Selwyn House School - Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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SELWYN I'lOl'Sli SCHOOL IXI.-XGAZINI-Q natures had a personal interest for us. lle also had works written by six different authors and signed by them. Rachel Carson, who wrote 'The Sea around Us' was one of them. He also showed works by Rutherford Platt, and NY. R. Klelskill, with a letter from Julian Huxley. Bill l'edoe exhibited the autograph of Arthur Ransoine, sent by Mr. Ransome to Bill himself. This was one of special interest to us all, as Nlr. Ransome's many works are on the shelves of the library, and enjoyed by a large group of readers. Bill I'edoe's display also contained the signatures of Walter de La Mare and li. J. Pratt. The former was on a copy of his poem News , in a limited edition, the latter on his poem on Dunkirk. Many of the readers in the library have enjoyed Cargoes on the Great Lakes , Bill showed the autograph of the authoress, Marie NlcI'hedran. Charles Chalfey lent five letters of great interest, as they were signed by Sir XVilliam Osler, one of our most famous Canadians, john Kendrick Bangs, a well-known writer of other days, Mackenzie King, and one from our present Prime Minister Mr. St. Laurentg also one signed by Archdeacon Fortier. Roger Bellingham showed a programme of the Shakespeare Festival of last summer, with a portrait of Alec Guiness as Richard III, autographed by him. Roger Bellingham also had a signature of Baden-Powell, which we were all glad to see. David Stollmeyer lent three books autographed by their authors: they were Austin L. Cross, Peter Freuchen, and H. Dickey. Maxi Ferro lent two volumes containing facsimiles of famous people's signatures. XVe exhibited those of Daniel Boone and Fenimore Cooper which specially interested the library. Mr. Howis kindly gave us a collection of autographs of distinguished people, amongst whom were Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar fame, Mrs. Humphrey XVard, the Duke of Norfolk, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and many others. Mr. 1. Kjelgaard, whose many adventurous stories and works on animal life are in the library, sent us a pleasant letter with his autograph. Mr. john Hayes was asked for his autograph and he kindly paid a visit to the library and signed four of his works which are on the library shelves, and which tell exciting tales of adventure during different phases of Canadian history. The Autograph Exhibit was much enjoyed, as the contributors had provided such worth-while examples. Our thoughts had been concentrated on books and the makers of them so that the library shelves seemed to take on new importance. On November 27th, His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch visited the school and came into the library where a small case had been arranged describing the connection of Lord Selkirk, ancestor of the Duke, with Montreal. McGill Uni- versity kindly lent three Beaver Club medals, which are very rare now. The famous Beaver Club entertained Lord Selkirk in the winter of 1804. December opened with a display of stamps of the Middle and Far East. Stephen l'arker's and Francisco Cardona's collections were very comprehensive, covering Hong Kong, Mongolia, India and Iran, Pakistan, etc. Robin Gilbert lent an outstanding group of stamps from Siam from the period of 1883 to 1920. Harry Bloomfield showed eighteen stamps from the new state of Israel, the first examples we have seen in the Library. They were most interesting. Nigel Green- wood eontributed stamps of Iraq, of India and Tanna Tuba, Hugh Turnbull and Robert Aikman exhibited the coronation stamps of the British colonies in the Far liast, and the far-flung islands of the Commonwealth showed Her Majesty crowned, in beautiful design. ll2l

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FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1053-105-1 ivtbnnl jaotes THE LIBRARY The coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Il coloured the year of 1953 in the Library. During the month of May the new stamps, commemorating her crowning, began to appear. Charles Chaffey exhibited hve of the Canadian design, and two of the English, all of the first day of issue. Colin Moseley and Robert Aikman showed stamped envelopes also of the lirst day of issue. The new coins of Coronation Year were displayed by Peter Hyde and Charles Chaliey, providing examples of England and Canada. Much interest was shown in Richard Udd's replica of the gold spoon used in the anointing of Her Majesty in the Coronation ceremony. These exhibits were followed by the formation of a Coronation procession on the long library table. The centre of attraction was the Royal golden coach, generously lent by Tim Peters. with the bodyguard, and the beef eaters from the Tower. Maxi Ferro and Peter Terroux provided the major part of the Royal Cavalcade, with their very smart regiments, but jonathan Meakins supplied the 'Mounties', and Peter Hyde some distinguished Cavalry regiments, while the 'Princess Pats' were contributed by Michael Dunn with an eliective-looking infantry band. Peter Terroux's and Maxi Ferro's forts took the place of Buck- ingham Palace which it was found diflicult to reproduce. A separate military exhibit was arranged by Peter Terroux, showing Her Majesty on horseback, taking the salute from a regiment of Scot's Greys, a Marine Corps, with other troops of artillery and cavalry. The glories of the Coronation closed our activ- ities in the library for the Summer Term 1953. September brings us the spoils of the sea, as most of us have opportunities of exploring beaches through the summer months, therefore our first interest in the Christmas Term is given to a Shell Exhibition. Michael Berrill brought a systematically arranged collection with explanatory notes from which we learned much. The key-hole sand collars, the spiral cockles, and the sword of the Sword Fish, with a drawing of the fish in action, claimed most attention. These specimens were from Maine. Maxi Ferro had been to Cape Cod and his very fine group of shells ranged from a tiny whelk to the long tail of a large Horseshoe Crab. Maxi had also a collection of the claws of crabs, very entertaining in their variety and size. Dwight Brainerd's beautiful collection from Florida called forth a great deal of admiration, the colouring and exquisite markings were unusually line. He had a large Horshoe Crab which. titted with Maxi's crab tail, might have made a good warning to bathers on the Atlantic coast. Todd La Fontaine con- tributed a group of shells from Cape Cod which were not only good specimens in colour and size, but represented almost every shell to be found on the Atlantic coast in that area. He had a large piece of red coral with them, unequalled in the exhibit. Charles Chaffey showed shells from the shores of the Mediterranean which were extremely interesting in comparison with those of the Atlantic coast, the former showing much more clearly defined and deeply incised lines than shells of the same type from the Atlantic. The difference was very marked. Other contributors to the shell exhibit were Richard Hunt, Nicholas liairis, Kerry Martin, Stephen Parker, Christopher and Timothy Coristine. David Stollmeyer brought a large conch shell from the South Pacific which having one end cut off made a hideous noise when blown. It is used by the natives as a horn, and was used by the natives of the library all too often. David's collection of shells from Trinidad was much admired. The months of October and November were notable for us in a display of autographs of authors and other famous people. Michael Berrill was fortunate in the distinction of having books written by his father and mother. Their sig- llll

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FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR1953-1954 Peter Vodstrcil exhibited three Chinese Christmas cards of which the illustrations were made entirely of stamps. The workmanship was very delicate and the colouring so skilfully managed with the various stamps that the im- pression that they were painted was very convincing. In February the Far East stamps gave way to 'Stamps of Flower and Insect' design. There were very few of these among the members but Maxi Ferro lent the library an extremely well-arranged group of butterfly and insect stamps, as well as some beautiful flower forms, from Venezuela. The Belgian Congo, Colombia, Salatan, Holland, and Costa Rica. But those of San Marino were the most beautiful of all. Bill Hesler lent stamps from San Marino and Colombia, with lovely flower patterns. Nigel Greenwood also contributed a 'lily' Bermudian stamp, with four animal stamps. Geology interested us in March in the library. Michael Berrill's well- assorted specimens of rock from Canada caused incessant questioning. But all the questions were answered by Michael's notes, numbered to correspond with the exhibits. Old and young alike were curious about them all. lYe are grateful to Michael for allowing us to enjoy them. Nigel Greenwood also brought some samples of rock from France, Greenland and Western Germany. They were carefully examined for weeks, and we liked seeing samples from other countries. The library had various small contributions to many different subjects. Aeroplane models made by Richard Hunt claimed much attention. Maxi Ferro allowed us to show five good models of airships, the most impressive being the 'Thunder jet'. Maxi also let us see his model of the U.S.S. warship 'Missouri'. Richard Hunt's 'skyrocket' was much admired. Peter Schaal let us use his map of Canada, raised in plasticene, and well done,l in our geography shelf. Peter Russel and Eric Garland collected a bird's nest, we think a fine example: while john Beament brought nests of a wren and a nuthatch, Howard Sherback a robin's nest, and Gerald Ross a humming bird. A well formed oriole's nest was given by Rodney Tait. These will fit into a bird display before the Summer term ends, we hope. Timothy Stewart presented the Library with eighteen stamps, which we will use in future exhibits. Rene Des- marais lent two interesting aerial stamps from Lille, France. Miles Tyrer lent the library an English shell. Miss Mabel Molson has been a generous donor to the Library throughout the year. She has presented books on history, biography, geography, science, nature, art, and Scripture, as well as works of fiction. A large collection of books, on the subject of the Coronation, was sent by her to the school last May. These have been well used and enjoyed. Mrs. S. B. Ralston gave a long list of useful books also: as did Mr. G. H. M. Campbell. Peter Mitchell donated a large number of books for all ages which are now in circulation and being enjoyed by many readers. Books have also been given by the following:-Mrs. N. J. Berrill, who kindly gave us her XVoodland Animalsf' and her latest work, Strange Nurseriesng and other donors are Kerry Martin, Bruce McHale, Michael Meighen, john Clarke, Mrs. D. D. McGoun, Mrs. E. Hambly, the Hon. Mr. Arthur Meighen, who gave his own work, autographed, on Xllilliam Shakespeare. Roger Bellingham, Peter Russel, Edward Manthorp, and Bobby Bolles all gave nice, useful books. l13l J