Memory Lane — the Society's first Executive

In June 1992 a box of the Society's oldest stationery — over two hundred embossed envelopes and letterheads still reading "The Canadian Society of Creative Leathercraft" — was given to President Don MacLeod. At the bottom of the pile lay two sheets carrying a complete list of the Society's earliest known Executive. His account, and the list, were printed on the back cover of the Fall 1992 bulletin over a montage of the old letterheads. Both are reproduced here.

On Thursday June 4, 1992, at our final meeting for the spring, I was given an old box of memories - over 200 envelopes, like the one you received this Bulletin in.

Notice the “OF" instead of "FOR". There are also nearly 100 white envelopes, even older than these. You'll see them too.

I've given Kevin Armstrong a couple of each of these envelopes and sheets of stationery for the Archives.

When I flipped through the sheets of stationery, some looked like our present paper, but with the "OF" in its old place. Then I realized that the paper and envelopes were EMBOSSED, beautiful raised letters. Let's all enjoy the quality we paid for years ago, and the heck with the "OF" 200 envelopes will carry two issues of the Bulletin. Let's see their beauty again; you all paid for it years ago. ENJOY!

Down near the bottom of the pile of stationery I ran into President, DR. RALPH K. LARMOUR 59 High Park Blyd., Toronto white sheets with square box letters and C.S.C.L. emblem, a smart, clear and crisp design. Then, digging deeper, I found two sheets of stationery of an older type of paper, golden like our newest type, script headed, not embossed, no emblem. The big surprise came at the bottom of these sheets; a complete list of the then Executive. This put a tentative date to the paper and age of this pair of sheets.

It was a real trip down Memory Lane and I had never met any of these people. I thought some of you might enjoy what I found, so take a look at this page's background and see why I got a lump in my throat. Have a real trip down Memory Lane.

I was really glad that someone had saved this paper and these envelopes. It may have been garbage to some, but is a beautiful reminder of OUR past. Thank you so very much.

The Executive list, as printed on the oldest pair of sheets:

President,  DR. RALPH K. LARMOUR, 59 High Park Blvd., Toronto
Corresponding Secretary,  MRS. LOUISE SMYTH, 40 Strathmore Blvd., Toronto
Treasurer,  MRS. NORA HUYCK, 180 Greenfield Ave., Willowdale
Chairman Exhibitions Committee  MRS. RETA LARMOUR, 59 High Park Blvd., Toronto
Chairman Membership Committee  MRS. FAITH SCHNARR, 14 Eleanor Ave., Toronto
Chairman Advertising Committee  CECIL ROEBUCK, 224 Winona Dr., Toronto

The article body prints "High Park Blyd." for Blvd.; the list itself prints "Blvd." The letterhead carries no year; the stationery predates the Society's change of name from "of" to "for" Creative Leathercraft.

Written by Don MacLeod and printed in Canadian Leathercraft, Fall 1992, over the Society's earliest surviving letterheads. The page as printed can be seen with the Fall 1992 issue.