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Tom Monto

Thomas Spence in 1870 - perhaps the first "photo bomb"

Edmonton pioneer Thomas Spence complained of being described as a member of Riel's Council. He was identified as such in 1870 when a photo was taken of Louis Riel and his provisional council, and off and on ever since. But he always claimed it was not true.


In 1898 R.G. MacBeth apologized for what he said in his book Making of the Canada West and for how he identifies Spence as being a member of the Council. (Edmonton Bulletin, Aug. 15, 1898)


This 1870 photo was taken at Red River, today's Winnipeg.


Spence just happened to be included in the group photo of the Council. He is the man shown in a light-coloured slicker at the extreme right side of the photo. Spence stands out because he is standing in front and is not even looking at the camera.


The 1870 photo is the base of a new Canada postage stamp issued in 2022. The one that is identified as showing Louis Riel and his council, with no mention of non-council member Thomas Spence also being shown in the photo. (https://canadianstampnews.com/stamp-ofdc-mark-red-river-sesquicentennial/)


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