In April, Ingrid Parent, University Librarian hosted a celebration of the Uno Langmann Family Collection of B.C. Photographs, a fascinating photographic history donated by a long-time Vancouver art collector.
The collection, valued at $1.2 million and given by Uno and Dianne Langmann and Uno Langmann Limited to UBC Library, features more than 18,000 rare and unique early photographs from the 1850s to the 1970s. It is considered the premiere private collection of early provincial photos, and an important illustrated history of photographic methods.
Guests gathered at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre to preview selections from the physical collection, thumbing through photo albums and admiring mounted photographs from BC’s history. Library archivists Sarah Romkey and Jacky Lai were on hand during the event to answer questions from inquiring guests.
“I don’t think we worship the past enough,” says Uno Langmann, who wanted to keep the photos in his adopted home province (he came to B.C. in 1955 from his native Denmark).
The collection began to take form in the 1970s, when Langmann bought an album featuring early shots of Canada from an Edinburgh antique shop. Today, it contains an impressive overview of works from early provincial photographers. The collection is stored at the Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections division, which features a state-of-the-art preservation facility. Images from the collection are being digitized and will be uploaded to the Library’s website on an ongoing basis.
“UBC Library is honoured to house this outstanding collection that brings the vibrant history of the Pacific Northwest to life,” says Ingrid Parent, UBC’s University Librarian. “We are grateful to Uno for his donation, which will inspire lifelong learners for generations to come.”
Indeed, Langmann—who runs the respected Uno Langmann Limited Fine Art gallery in Vancouver— is excited about the educational opportunities that his donation brings to UBC. “There’s enough in this collection for a thousand students to dig into,” he adds. “I want them to learn where B.C. comes from, and where they come from.”
John O’ Brian, a Professor in UBC’s Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory, echoes this sentiment. “The Langmann Collection immediately makes the University of British Columbia a destination for researchers and scholars interested in the history and photography of British Columbia and Canada,” he says. “The depth and quality of the collection also makes it a wonderful resource for students. I have already decided to teach a seminar this fall called ‘Photo Fever and the Uno Langmann Archive.’”
This valuable gift is part of UBC’s start an evolution campaign, the most ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign in Canadian history. Its twin goals are to raise $1.5 billion and involve 50,000 alumni in the life of the University on an annual basis by 2015.
For more information on the impressive Langmann Collection, please visit langmann.library.ubc.ca.
This story originally appeared in the 2014 summer issue of the Friends newsletter.