Selling Off Canadian History

1. After 355 years in business, Canadian retailer Hudson's Bay (HBC) officially closed their stores on June 1st of this year. Not just an end to one of Canada's retail department stores, this closure was the end of an era. Founded in 1670 by a British Royal Charter to engage in the fur trade, the HBC initially controlled the vast territory of Rupert's Land. Over time, it evolved from a fur trading monopoly into a major retailer, establishing its first store in 1912. The company played a significant role in Canada's expansion and was acquired by the Canadian government in 1970 before its transition to a modern retail business. The HBC was the oldest corporation in North America. Canadians spent the last few months before the closure buying up some of HBC memorabilia, including their iconic striped blankets and other branded merchandise. The striped blanket originated in 1779 as a trading commodity for the HBC. Did you ever shop at the HBC and did you ever own any HBC striped blankets or other branded merchandise?

2. An Ontario court has just approved a November sale of 1,700 pieces of art and about 2,700 artifacts belonging to the fallen retailer. On November 19, the most sought-after pieces of the HBC's massive trove of art and artifacts will be auctioned off in what may be the most high-profile art auction in Canadian history. Though the company has yet to reveal exactly what will be up for grabs, the items are from HBC's retail era, rather than its fur trade days. The auctions will also omit 24 artifacts recently removed from the proposed auction block because they are believed to be of Indigenous origin or heritage and will be returned or donated. If you are Canadian, are you interested in perhaps buying up some of this Canadian history?