Armorial Bookplates Exhibit

The Toronto Branch of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada is organizing a fascinating bookplates exhibit presenting armorial bookplates designed by Gordon Macpherson, Niagara Herald Extraordinary and Officer of the Canadian Heraldic Authority in Ottawa.

Gordon Macpherson is Canada's most well known and respected heraldic artist. Fascinated by heraldry since his student days, Macpherson has since designed and painted the coats of arms granted to many prominent Canadians. He was honoured by the Governor General with the title Niagara Herald Extraordinary in 1999. Some of his of bookplates are on display on the Society's website, in addition, many of the coats of arms designed by Gordon can be viewed on the Society's Roll of Arms. Gordon was also one of the founding founders of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada and continues to remain active within the Society.

A flyer conveying details of the exhibit - designed by Robert Grey, one of a number of Canadian heraldic artists who has created numerous arms for Society members

From St. Michael's College, UofT: Apr 21-may 31 Armorial Bookplates Exhibit The Toronto Branch, Royal Heraldry Society of Canada, in collaboration with Department of Special Collections, J. M. Kelly Library, presents Exhibit of Armorial Bookplates by renowned Canadian craftsman, R. Gordon M. MacPherson

Toronto Branch Annual General Meeting Review

The Toronto Branch, the largest Branch of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada had their annual general meeting on April 5, 2008 at the stately Arts and Letters Club.

The heraldic badge for the Toronto Branch

A new executive for 2008 was nominated and accepted at this meeting. The President of the Branch remains Ilona Jurkiewicz for a second term. The position of Vice President was taken by David Steeves, with Directors repeating another term comprised of David Birtwistle, Thomas Doran and in an advisory capacity, Robbie Sprules, Lord of Wrentnall. The editor of the Hogtown Heraldry will now be David Skene-Melvin, taking the place of David E. Rumball, who was editor of the Branch's newsletter for the past 6 years.

Ilona, herself an accomplished heraldic artist, having personally painted numerous coats of arms on behalf of the Canadian Heraldic Authority in Ottawa has personally taken up the task of organizing and coordinating an Armorial Bookplates Exhibit of bookplates designed and created by Gordon Macpherson, Niagara Herald Extraordinary, to be on display at the John M. Kelly Library at the University of St. Michael's College, UofT between April 21 - May 31, 2008.

Activities for 2008 for the Toronto Branch includes organizing the 4th annual Christmas dinner, typically including a special guest of some notoriety, perhaps Sir Conrad Swan, the Branch's Patron. Other special guests of the past included Vanessa Harwood, past ballerina and choreographer for the Canadian National Ballet Company and also recipient of the Order of Canada. Also, plans for the 2009 Royal Heraldry Society of Canada's Annual General Meeting to be hosted by the Toronto Branch are now underway, as well as plans being worked on for next year's heraldry display and presentation at the Royal Ontario Museum's March Break, mid-March in 2009. This will be the third year that the Toronto Branch has participated in this exciting event.

Heraldry is alive and well in Canada...

Personal experience gained from comments and questions received while putting on a heraldry display by the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada or RHSC, at the Royal Ontario Museum or ROM this past March during their March Break clearly indicates that most people are quite surprised that heraldry continues to be practiced in Canada. Most people think that heraldry died out with the medieval period and the second common perception noted was that heraldry is only available in the realm of nobles.

It is quite clear, that heraldry did NOT die out, and is quite alive, not only in Canada, but in the USA and most countries in Europe and even Russia and other Eastern European countries. It should also be known that heraldry is available to ALL Canadians, simply by petitioning to the Canadian Heraldic Authority in Ottawa for a personal coat of arms. What is extremely fascinating of this practice is that it has been an integral part of human history for the past 1,000 years. There is no need to put it to bed so to speak, and it is up to people today to continue this practice and ensure that it continues to remain viable into the future.

The Society has a number of Branches including the Toronto Branch which has periodic social events and dinners, including an annual Christmas Dinner. Other activities include a heraldic presentation at the Royal Ontario Museum, and organizing an event displaying bookplates designed and created by Canada's leading and long time heraldic artist Gordon Macpherson.