This is an example of what I call the Bodoni series of menus because the title of the photograph is printed in all-capital Bodoni letters on the front. The Bodoni series closely resembles the Script series, such as this one with a similar but not identical photo of Mount Eisenhower. The front covers of both menus were printed in 1946, though today’s menu has a date inside indicating that it was used on the dining car of Canadian Pacific’s Dominion in 1947.

Click image to download an 1.6-MB PDF of this menu.

Portraying one of the most photogenic features of Banff National Park, the very same photo that is on today’s menu was also used on a 1948 menu with a blue cover that was used on an Alaska steamship; a 1948 dining car menu with a gray cover; a 1949 menu with a white cover from the Banff Springs Hotel; and a 1951 dining car menu with a yellow cover. Indeed, this particular photo may have adorned more varieties of Canadian Pacific menus than any other.

Today’s menu has both table d’hôte and a la carte items. The table d’hôte side has full meals with salmon or other fish entrées for $1.35 (about US$16 in today’s money) and beef ribs, chicken pot pie, or Spanish omelet for $1.60 (about US$19 today). The more expensive meal came with an appetizer or salad in addition to soup, potatoes, vegetables, dessert, bread, and beverage. Other than fish and egg dishes, the a la carte side didn’t offer any hot entrées.