This is a small antique photograph showing two men in a donkey drawn carriage posed in front of a branch of the Sovereign Bank of Canada. The Sovereign Bank of Canada was established in 1901 and grew to 90 branches with an aggressive lending policy, which unfortunately undertook a number of risky investments. It was one of four major Canadian banks that defaulted after 1890 - they wrote off $1.25 million in the reserve fund and $1 million in capital in 1907 and attempted a re-organization, which was unsuccessful, and necessitated the closing of the banks doors on January the 18th, 1908, with $16 million in liabilities, a lot of money in those days.
I dont know who these two gentlemen are, but they most likely had some connection to the bank. This obviously was a branch operation - note the handmade sign and it looks like it was run out of a house. This photo dates to between 1901 and 1908, the lifespan of the bank. I dont know the location. The photo itself measures 3 1/4 by 2 1/4 and is affixed to a card that measures 5 by 3 3/4. It is in excellent condition - this has been well kept over the last 110 plus years.
Not too many images of a Sovereign Bank must still exist, so this is a wonderful addition to a Canadian banking collection!