Fonds MS-683 - Allan Shute fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Allan Shute fonds

General material designation

  • Textual record

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on name of creator.

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

CA EDM MS-683

Edition area

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Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

Statement of projection (cartographic)

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Physical description area

Physical description

6 m of textual records and other material

Publisher's series area

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Archival description area

Name of creator

Biographical history

In 1971, Allan Shute, with his wife Kathy, established Tree Frog Press with the goal of seeking out and publishing promising new authors. Initially focusing on poetry and novels, the Shutes shifted their attention to children's literature following Tree Frog's 1974 publication of Sue Ann Alderson's Bonnie McSmithers, You're Driving me Dithers. Specializing in K-12 literature, Tree Frog went on to publish more in the Bonnie McSmithers series as well as books for young adults, including It Seemed Like A Good Idea At the Time, by Martyn Godfrey. Though committed to children's literature, Tree Frog continued to publish special interest material, including the Edmonton Access Catalogue during the late 1970s early 1980s. In 1995, the Shutes once again shifted the direction of the press to become more focused on specialty and custom publication. Tree Frog continued to encourage new authors to publish, but instead of taking manuscripts this change allowed the Shutes to council people who wished to act as self-publishers, but who did not have the resources or expertise to do so. With an MA in English, Allan Shute has also written and published poetry and a community history called Riverdale: From Fraser Flats to Edmonton Oasis. Shute also was the managing editor and publisher of the Edmonton Access Catalogue - an urban almanac providing information on and evaluation of various people, places and activities in Edmonton to residents of and visitors to the city. Published four times between 1974 and 1984, Shute conceived the catalogue to be a "survival manual to this peculiar northern city," which also allowed "a peek or two into the city's strange and twisted history, and local customs that have puzzled even Edmontonians for years." A children's version of the catalogue, Kidmonton, was also published in 1979. Due to the sheer volume of material gathered for each catalogue, and the problems associated with keeping it current and updated, Shute suggested that each volume would be the last. There has not been another Edmonton Access Catalogue since 1984.

Custodial history

Scope and content

This fonds contains material Allan Shute gathered for his Edmonton Access Catalogue. This includes newspaper clippings, assorted publications, pamphlets, newsletters, as well as other material. Shute has arranged this material into various subjects, and has filed them alphabetically.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Allan Shute

Arrangement

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Script of material

Location of originals

Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

There are no restrictions on access.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Copyright may apply.

Finding aids

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Accruals

General note

Accession numbers: A96-192, A97-1, A98-8

Alternative identifier(s)

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Standard number

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Control area

Description record identifier

Institution identifier

City of Edmonton Archives

Rules or conventions

Rules for Archival Description (RAD)
Archives Society of Alberta Subject Terms

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Language of description

Script of description

Sources

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