About the collections
Canadian Documentary Art Collection
The collection is housed in the Marilyn & Charles Baillie Special Collections Centre on the 5th floor of the Toronto Reference Library. It has grown to approximately 15,000 paintings, drawings and prints, over 1 million photographs and more than 3,000 postcards.
You can access the Documentary Art Collection through the card file in the Baillie Centre's reading room, or through the printed catalogue to the J. Ross Robertson Collection, Landmarks of Canada. Just ask the staff in the Baillie Special Collections Centre.
Many Toronto related images can be viewed online in:
Digital Reproduction Services are available. Some restrictions may apply.
Toronto Star Photograph Archive
The archive covers every major and minor Canadian event, personality and topic that was considered newsworthy over the whole of the 20th century. These images also provide a window into everyday life in Toronto.
The entire archive is now housed at the Marilyn and Charles Baillie Special Collections Centre on the 5th floor of the Toronto Reference Library.
Explore other virtual exhibits featuring images from the Toronto Star Photograph Archive
Exposed A 2015 TD Gallery exhibit showcasing highlights from the Toronto Star Photograph Archive.
Canada Entertains! A selection of photos of 20th century Canadian entertainers from the Toronto Star Photograph Archive.
Demonstrations Compelling photos from the Toronto Star Photograph Archive of various demonstrations in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada during the 20th century.
Publisher’s Choice A selection of photographs from the Toronto Star Photograph Archive, donated to the Toronto Public Library in June, 2014.