PROJECT iii.

Brackman-Ker Milling Co.

PROJECT iii.

Brackman-Ker Milling Co

PROJECT iii.

Brackman-Ker Milling Co

PROJECT iii.

Brackman-Ker Milling Co

PROJECT iii.

Brackman-Ker Milling Co

A) HISTORY

In 1883 David Russell Ker joined Henry Brackman in the Brackman mill at North Saanich, which had been founded by Mr. Brackman in 1878. This firm became known as Brackman & Ker, and was later incorporated as the Brackman-Ker Milling Company, Ltd. The business continued at North Saanich for several years, the office in Victoria being opened in 1886. By 1923 the business had interests in Vancouver, New Westminster, Nelson, Nanaimo, Rossland, Edmonton and Calgary. For a number of years Mr. Ker was a director of the Alberta-Pacific Grain Company, and of the Western Canadian Flour Mills Co., Ltd., as well as President of the Brackman-Ker Company.

Brackman-Ker later amalgamated with the Western Canada Flour Mills Co., Ltd., of Toronto, one of the largest flour milling concerns in Canada.

B) BRAND

A couple of years ago I was renovating an old farm house on what was previously a poultry farm (the first floor being built from materials salvaged from the old poultry barn). In the attic I discovered feed bags that were meant to provide insulation (see below). I did a bit of research and found several photos of the B&K business. And weirldly it turned out the Nanaimo depot located on Selby street in Nanaimo was located in the same building where my fathers woodshop was located circa 80/90's.

B) BRAND

What caught my attention was Mc &Mc's Sunset brand. I don’t know the origins but from early on the sunset illustration and name is found all over. It's very present throughout it's catalogues, signs and is even found on some products such as axes. Checkout the full 1908-1914 catalogue here. The Sunset gives a sense of moodiness and warmth, sort of odd for a wholesale hardware business. My favourite are the early illustrations.

BRAND

What caught my attention was Mc &Mc's Sunset brand. I don’t know the origins but from early on the sunset illustration and name is found all over. It's very present throughout it's catalogues, signs and is even found on some products such as axes. Checkout the full 1908-1914 catalogue here. The Sunset gives a sense of moodiness and warmth, sort of odd for a wholesale hardware business. My favourite are the early illustrations.

B) BRAND

What caught my attention was Mc &Mc's Sunset brand. I don’t know the origins but from early on the sunset illustration and name is found all over. It's very present throughout it's catalogues, signs and is even found on some products such as axes. Checkout the full 1908-1914 catalogue here. The Sunset gives a sense of moodiness and warmth, sort of odd for a wholesale hardware business. My favourite are the early illustrations.

C) REVIVAL

I started being redrawing the found feedbag without many changes. That's where this project began after all. I also recreated the B&K mark found on a number vehicles. Like a lot of these early business it feels like the brand started as a hand painted sign and evolved over the years into something we might call a logo today.

C) REVIVAL

Mc & Mc were two partners in business, perhaps also friends, hardworking like the customers. If you flip Mc Mc on-end in looks a bit like two people. Mr McKlennan and Mr. McFeely heading off to work for the day?