Hudson’s Bay, Canada’s oldest company, is seeking court approval to auction its royal charter, a historic document granted by King Charles II in 1670, along with 1,700 pieces of art and more than 2,700 artifacts. The request, filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, comes as the retailer struggles financially, having filed for creditor protection and closed several stores. The art includes paintings dating back as far as 1650, and the artifacts range from point blankets to collectible Barbie dolls.
This decision is especially significant for Manitoba, a province deeply tied to the company’s legacy. Hudson’s Bay opened its first retail department store in Winnipeg in 1881, and the company’s head office operated from there for several decades. Winnipeg’s Archives of Manitoba holds a wealth of Hudson’s Bay-related records, including business transactions, personal journals, and inventories dating back to the company’s founding. Local historians and experts, such as Cody Groat, have expressed concern about the fate of these valuable cultural items, especially the royal charter, which is seen as “the Holy Grail” of Hudson’s Bay artifacts.
The auction could raise significant funds for Hudson’s Bay, which owes millions to creditors, but it also raises questions about the preservation of this irreplaceable history. Local figures, including Mark Garner, a museum owner with deep ties to Hudson’s Bay’s 19th-century steamship, the S.S. Beaver, worry that such treasures could end up in private collections, out of public view.
This auction also comes at a time of increasing scrutiny over the company’s financial situation, with significant layoffs and store closures. As Hudson’s Bay works to secure the future of its remaining stores, the sale of its historic items could provide much-needed funds but at the cost of losing a part of Canadian heritage. The outcome of this auction will have lasting implications for both Hudson’s Bay and Manitoba’s historical record.
Source: Swifteradio.com
