The collection comprises more than 6,000 Canadian and non-Canadian bookplates. The Masson collection reflects the range and scope of the art of bookplate design, mirroring period styles and incorporating the owners’ personal tastes and pursuits. References to heraldry, literature, nature and art are common. The collection was created by Montrealer Philippe Masson (1911-1944) and includes both personal and institutional plates. The nearly 3,000 Canadian bookplates are arranged alphabetically. The rest of the bookplate collection is divided between armorial and non-armorial plates. This unique collection represents a wide range of book ownership reflecting institutions, book sellers, and individuals as well as over one hundred examples of bookplates from Canadian libraries. The chronological coverage dates to more than a century from the early nineteenth century and continuing to the beginning of the Second World War. Bookplate design is a minor yet notable form of graphic design. Bookplates reveal a great deal about our book-centered culture. For many institutions, bookplates possess an iconographic or emblematic value reflecting the values of the institution. As well, within an institutional setting, bookplates are often used to acknowledge individual collections, gifts and bequests. Finally, for the individual the bookplate is a powerful symbol of possession and a love of books. Among the Canadian bookplates, many well-known Canadian artists are represented in the Masson collection including J. E. H. MacDonald, his son Thoreau MacDonald, Jean-Paul Lemieux, and W. F. G. Godfrey.

The collections including here were orginally donated to the Phonothèque québécoise by Michel Décarie, Maryvonne Kendergian (Kendergi), Réal La Rochelle, Robert Daudelin, Raymond Gervais, Nicole Guilleret and Philippe Trolliet.

A history of the collections and information about the donors can be viewed here: https://web.archive.org/web/20191203205045/http://www.phonotheque.org/Inventaires/CollectionsPhono-Inv.html

This collection of original documents concerning Protestant education in Quebec was assembled by E.I. Rexford for his history of the High School of Montreal. The bulk of this material dates from the 1830s and 1840s, and includes a 300 page report on the Jesuit Estates, 1839, a summary of educational legislation, 1838, grammar school returns from Canada West, 1842, and a number of surveys and accounts.

Two general orders of the British Army's Forces in North America that are related to two fires that occurred in Quebec City on 28 May 1945 and 28 June 1845. The general orders contain reports detailing the sequence of events leading up to and during the fires, as well as the actions of the soldiers fighting the fires, and the damaged caused by the flames. The orders also include messages of thanks to the soldiers and their commanding officers from community leaders. Major-General James A. Hope was in command of the soldiers at Quebec City and submitted the reports to the Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of Wellington.

Collection includes account book for the London Grand Junction Railway, London Dock Company and other engineering projects in England.

2 albums of photographs by Notman, of the house, grounds, and stables at Ravenscrag.

The Red River Settlement was a colonization project set up in 1811 by Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk (1771-1820) who was granted 300,000 square kilometres (120,000 sq mi) of land the Hudson's Bay Company. Upon inheriting his father's title in 1799, Selkirk focused the majority of his time and resources on establishing a Scottish colony in North America. Selkirk was influenced by humanitarian luminaries such as William Wilberforce and, following the forced displacement of Scottish farmers that took place during the Highland Clearances, decided that emigration was the only viable option to improve the livelihood of the Scottish people. In July 1811 Miles MacDonell sailed from Yarmouth, England to the Hudson's Bay post at York Factory with 36 primarily Irish and Scottish settlers. Due to persuasive efforts of the North West Company only 18 settlers actually arrived at Red River in August 1812. Dogged by poor harvests and a growing population, MacDonell, now governor of Red River, issued the Pemmican Proclamation in January 1814 to prevent the export of pemmican from the colony. In doing so, MacDonell undermined the security of Red River and plunged the colony into a conflict with the North West Company that would not end until 1821.

On 11 June 1815, representatives of the North West Company attacked and fired upon the colonists, and demanded the surrender of Governor MacDonell, who, to avoid the loss of blood, gave himself up voluntarily. He was taken to Montreal as a prisoner, and charges were laid against him by his enemies, but his case was not tried. These depositions concern this case.

Items include:
Deposition of John Pritchard before A.N. McLeod, 4 June 1816, concerning the attack by Alexander MacDonell of the Hudson’s Bay Company on the tool house of the North West Company at Pimbina River, and the theft of property. Copy dated 30 December 1819.

Letter from John Pritchard to A. Norman McLeod, 28 June 1816, from the “Entrance of the Red River”, describing events at the Red River including a raid by a group led by a Canadian named Bushé, and the capture of Pritchard and his men by them.

Letter from John Johnston at Fort William, 9 Sept 1816, to A. Norman McLeod, describing his duties as acting manager there for the North West Company and the terms of the negotiations between himself and Lord Selkirk. He states that he intends to travel to Montreal.

Affidavit by the Earl of Selkirk, Montreal, 18 March 1818, concerning the dispute between himself and the North West Company, and the inability to attend the upcoming Quarter Sessions at Sandwich.

The collection consists of written correspondence between Dr. Clarence B. Farrar and Dr. Franklin G. Ebaugh concerning reproductive rights for victims of rape in relation to the case of a Denver woman who was the victim of rape in 1955. The woman ended up giving birth to a child after she was denied an abortion by doctors and lawyers. The collection also includes a three-page editorial titled "Legal Abortions" that cites Chapter 40, Article 2, Section 23 of the Colorado Revised Statutes 1953.

The Richard Coulter Collection provides extensive documentation for a period of approximately thirty years in the history of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). It constitutes an invaluable resource for research in Canadian music culture, and the CBC in particular and prominent Canadian composers and performers. The Richard Coulter Collection consists of the radio scripts, production information and publicity connected with programs and program series commissioned, developed and broadcast on CBC Radio in Canada in the 60s, 70s and 80s. The collection also contains audio recordings of a portion of the programs produced. The collection features such prominent North Americans such as Glenn Gould and John Cage. It is divided into ten series and contains approximately 17,000 items. The majority of the collection consists of documents and correspondence from Richard Coulter’s CBC office files relating to the CBC radio programs, special events and talent festivals that he produced. These include radio and television scripts, correspondence, administrative files, project reports, concert programs, publicity, promotional information, press clippings, payment information, contracts, production and technical information, scores, and audio tapes.