Calèche outside Montmorenci Cottage

A horse stands in profile before a picket fence, harnessed to a two-wheeled calèche with large spoked wheels and a folded hood. A bearded man in a brimmed hat sits at the reins. Behind him, a timber cottage has a steep shingled roof, a brick chimney, and a narrow porch carrying the sign “MONTMORENCI COTTAGE / INDIAN CURIOSITIES.” The man is unidentified.

The two arched-top photographs are mounted side by side on yellow card. The reverse bears Notman’s crowned “PHOTOGRAPHER TO THE QUEEN” imprint, naming Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. An attached printed label reads “CALECHE AT MONTMORENCI.” Together, the label and photographed sign identify the subject; the imprint supports attribution to the Notman firm, but does not establish the individual photographer or a date.

The number “17319” appears at the lower left of the left photograph, while the reverse label reads “No. 17318.” These consecutive numbers suggest neighboring views in a Notman Montmorenci series, but they are not an exact match. The neighboring numbered title supplied by this reverse is therefore no. 17318, “CALECHE AT MONTMORENCI”; no separate title for 17319 is present. Their relationship warrants catalogue review rather than an assumed correction to either number.

Small dark surface marks occur in the lower foreground, with a short scratch at the lower right. The reverse title label has small losses clear of its printed title and number. Otherwise clean and sound.