News Release

2003-08

Fuddle Duddle and Alligator Pie
50 Years of Collecting for Canadians

Ottawa April 23, 2003  -  An inspired new exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Library of Canada opens today at the Library and Archives of Canada at 395 Wellington Street. The exhibition, entitled Our Favourite Things: 50 years of collecting for Canadians, features more than 150 items of all shapes and sizes which were chosen from the collection by staff and researchers.

"I think everyone will be amazed by this wonderful selection," said Dr. Roch Carrier, National Librarian. "The staff has done a remarkable job of identifying treasures which display the diversity and richness of our national collection."

In addition to the eloquent selection of works by Gabrielle Roy and Stephen Leacock, the exhibition displays the first issue of Frank magazine, the cover of which reads Fuddle Duddle: The Hansard of the Common People, the treasured children’s classic Alligator Pie, the 1928 first issue of Chatelaine magazine, Ku Klux Klan and Communist Party propaganda, a book published in 1470, a series of writings encased in a loaf of bread, and Céline Dion’s first album.

There are also rare books, original illustrations, programmes, posters, comic books, magazines, newspapers, sound recordings, photographs, manuscripts and memorabilia spanning hundreds of years that will re-acquaint many with some of the most compelling figures and fascinating artifacts from our nation’s past.

"This is certainly a trip down memory lane," said guest curator of the exhibition Lorna Knight. "I was very familiar with the National Library’s collection, but this experience has made me realize the full extent of our country’s treasures."

The exhibition Our Favourite Things: 50 years of collecting for Canadians will be open at the Library and Archives of Canada until January 2004 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa. Admission is free.

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Information:

Pauline Portelance
Media Relations
Library and Archives of Canada
media@lac-bac.gc.ca