Description
QUEBEC 1909 Montreal Winter Carnival Elongated Cent graffiti on reverse
The heyday of the Montreal Winter Carnivals was in 1883, 1884, 1885, 1887, and 1889. Originally conceived of by Robert D. McGibbon, a lawyer and member of the Montreal Snow Shoe Club. The carnivals were meant to showcase Canadian sports and outdoor activities unique to Montreal. The goals behind such an endeavor was specifically said to be recreational, touristic, and economic, as well as having an additional influence on the establishment of Canadian national identity. On average, roughly 50,000 spectators would arrive for the week in late January or early February, a large percentage of whom were from the United States and Europe. Carnivals would last generally six days, and followed a detailed plan that changed little from year to year. They were reintroduced and were held in 1908, 1909 and 1910. Typically the big event would be hundreds of snowshoers clad in blanket costumes and carrying torches from local clubs storming the Ice Palace. The Palace would be lit up by the defenders from within, and the attack would be with pyro technic devices.
Obverse: (4 flags, 6 flagpoles) ICE PALACE / MONTREAL CARNIVAL 1909
Reverse: uniface
The photograph of the 1909 Ice Castle by Alfred Walter Roper is not included
