An unprecedented look at Canada's history presented in a stunning, colourful book - a limited edition of 999 presented in a handcrafted, wood veneer clamshell caseFollowing the success of the Standard Edition in 2015 of Canadian Pacific: Creating A Brand, Building A Nation, Callisto Publishers is releasing a spectacular Premium Edition of the intriguing and visually stunning story of this pioneering company - a beautiful homage to Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017.The history of Canada is inseparable from the history of Canadian Pacific. The privately owned company not only built the nation's first transcontinental railway, a prerequisite for Canada's political unification in the 19th century; it quickly expanded to become the world's largest transportation conglomerate that for many decades formed the backbone for Canada's economic development. Efficient railroad and global shipping services were complemented by numerous activities that attracted immigrants and tourists to Canada, including the famous landmark hotels designed in what is now referred to as Canadian Chateaux Style: Chateaux Frontenac, The Banff Springs Hotel, Chateaux Lake Louise, and many others. A distinct Canadian national identity was still in its infancy in the 19th century, and various stereotypes linked with Canada today are the direct result of decisions made by the designers and artists whose work is portrayed in the book and by Canadian Pacific's executives.The company's advertising and design strategies and their influence on the country's perception can be regarded as a very early example of the concept of nation branding, but it is the deep interdependence between a private company's economic and strategic interests and a nation's identity that makes this arrangement unique. In the context of these identity building processes the book showcases an awareness of the significance of the symbolic value of products pointing far beyond their trivial function as a commodity or service. Author Marc H. Choko's concise and compelling narrative is brought to life by more than 600 carefully selected historic photos, illustrations and documents that mirror Canadian Pacific's widespread activities and unusually diverse clientele, ranging from the adventurous travelers of the late 19th century to immigrants in search of a better future, from wealthy cruise passengers to big game hunters, from outdoor enthusiasts to airline customers starting in the 1940s.No expense has been spared to reproduce this critical part of Canadian history: Internationally acclaimed art book publisher Callisto sent their own production manager to Canadian Pacific's corporate archives in Montreal to supervise digitalization and record the properties of the originals, taking note of any special colours or other significant characteristics. Similarly, many museums and private collectors cooperated to allow for a book that reproduces all commercial art with unprecedented accuracy and vivacity.
Schöner wurde nie für Reisen geworben als auf den Plakaten der Canadian Pacific. Ob Bergsteigen oder Bärenjagd in den Rocky Mountains, Strandurlaub, Stadturlaub oder ein Besuch auf dem Lande: Die Bahn brachte die Urlauber nicht nur überall hin - sie lockte sie überhaupt erst mit ihrer farbenfrohen Werbung an diese Ziele. Und weil das Unternehmen auch zu Wasser und in der Luft tätig war, öffnete es seinen Kunden selbst Strecken in die Südsee oder den Orient. Ein herrlicher opulenter Band breitet jetzt die Kampagnen von 1886 bis in die siebziger Jahre aus und erzählt entlang des Tourismus auch eine Kulturgeschichte Kanadas. (F.L.)
"Canadian Pacific: Creating a Brand, Building a Nation" von Marc H. Choko. Callisto Publishers, Berlin 2015. 384 Seiten, zahlreiche Abbildungen. Gebunden, 65 Euro.
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