
Bonar Presbyterian Church and Manse
Toronto, Canada
Moore & Alexander
This postcard shows the now demolished Bonar Presbyterian Church, formerly on the west side of St. Clarens Avenue, north of College, near Lansdowne Avenue. Wikipedia notes that the building was constructed in 1907 and demolished in 1970, however, the date on the postcard appears to be November 3, 1905. Of interest is the photo on the card, engraved by Moore & Alexander, of The Canadian Photo-Engraving Bureau of Toronto.
The company described themselves, in a 1903 ad, as follows:
Photo-engraving for all illustrating purposes has no abler exponent in Toronto than the Canadian Photo-Engraving Bureau, located at 16 Adelaide Street West, of which Messrs. J. F. Moore and J. Alexander, Jr., are the enterprising and popular proprietors. They first commenced business in 1888 in this line at 203 Yonge Street, and in 1891 removed to their present location. Both Messrs. Moore & Alexander are thoroughly qualified engravers and printers, fully conversant with every detail of this useful industry and the requirements of the most critical patrons.
They occupy two spacious floors, each being 50 x 125 feet in area, fully equipped with the latest improved apparatus, machinery and appliances, and the place is fitted throughout with electric light, used when sunlight is not good, enabling them to be always on time with work. The range of work embraces photoengraving in all its branches, zinc etching, photo-litho transfers, and a specialty is made of half-tones on zinc or copper for fine printing. They employ only first-class workmen, and turn out all kinds of high-class art work, adapted for book, catalogue or magazine illustrations. All orders are promptly executed, while the most moderate prices prevail, and the trade of the firm now extends throughout the entire dominion.
Mr. Moore was born in London, England, in 1863, and came to Canada in 1871. His partner, Mr. Alexander, is a native of Montreal. They are highly regarded in business circles for their integrity and ability, and have secured an enviable reputation for the artistic merits of their work. The telephone call of the office is 2158.
Below, the reverse of the card, with a three ring Toronto Station C cancellation on a 2¢ KEVII stamp sent locally to Miss E. Milne, 235 Brunswick Avenue, City.
While the card was engraved by Moore & Alexander, it is not clear if they also were the card’s publisher.
