Vancouver History: Photographer Don Coltman

Having previously featured photographer Leonard Frank I wanted to profile the photography of another Vancouverite who helped document our city during a specific era. Scanning the Vancouver Archives, I found a collection from someone I’ve featured many times before in some of my history posts or “Then and Now” photo collections: Don Coltman.

1940 – Skier on top of Mount Seymour. Archives item# CVA 586-127.

1940 – Captain Vancouver statue at City Hall. Archives item# CVA 586-164.

1942 – CNR employee shoveling coal. Archives item# CVA 586-888.

From the Vancouver Archives: “Don Coltman worked as a commercial photographer from 1940 to 1954. In 1944 he purchased the Steffens-Colmer Studio. He operated his company under the names of Steffens-Colmer Studios Ltd. and Don Coltman Photography Co. Don Coltman was recognized internationally for his documentation of leading western industries – lumbering, agriculture, fishing, mining, pulp and paper plants, oil well drilling, foundries, canneries, retail businesses, sawmills, shipping, shipbuilding and tourism. During the war years, 1940-1945, he documented civil defense activities throughout the province as well as fund-raising activities of the National War Finance campaign.”

1942 – Salmon cans on tracks after the Interurban collided with a truck. Archives item# CVA 586-910.

1944 – #3 Davie route streetcar. Archives item# CVA 586-1872.

1944 – Canadian Pacific Airlines. Archives item# CVA 586-2284.

1946 – Vancouver hockey team. Archives item# CVA 586-4280.

You can find more Don Coltman photos by using the Vancouver Archives’ online directory, searching his name or Steffens-Colmer.

Did you know the Vancouver Archives have a blog? Check out AuthentiCity for more photos, stories, researchers, and information about the Vancouver Archives.