Stampede seeks missing posters to complete collection

As the Calgary Stampede celebrates its centennial year, officials want to fill three gaps in its collection of annual posters.

The posters are on display on the second floor walkway through the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. But in the spots where the 1922, 1926 and 1930 posters should be, "wanted" signs hang instead.

"We really want to be able as we celebrate our 100 years this yearto complete that story through the posters," said Calgary Stampede archivist Amiee Benoit.

The Stampede is offering a $1,000 reward for the missing posters.

"Not for the right to purchase the poster but for the right to ... digitally reproduce it. We would just like a copy of the poster," Benoit said.

Benoit said she is hoping word gets out about the missing posters as far and wide as possible. The only copy of the inaugural 1912 poster came back to the Stampedes collection by way of Colorado, she said.

"It could be anywhere really."

The Stampedes failure to hold on to copies of the three posters is just a reflection of changing attitudes through the decades, she said.

"For the earlier years they were probably just not really considered something that was collectible," she said. "They were considered marketing materials and disposable, I guess."