When James Carnegie, the ninth Earl of Southesk, traveled to what is now Western Canada in 1859, he was a very sickly man.

Writing in his journal that would later be published as “Saskatchewan and the Rocky Mountains”, the Earl wrote that he had been advised to “travel in some part of the world where good sport could be met with among the larger animals, and where, at the same time, I might recruit my health by an active open-air life in a healthy climate.”

After a journey through the parkland and foothills of Alberta and through what is now the southeast corner of Jasper National Park, the Earl returned to Scotland in fine health and had eight children with his second wife. It seemed that his greatest legacy would be his journal entries, complete and often bloody descriptions of the day’s hunting, but also observations about the aboriginal people his party interacted with along the way. Last week, however, the Royal Alberta Museum was able to add to its historical record of the opulent expedition. At a total price of more than $1 million Canadian, the museum purchased 29 items collected by the Earl during his travels at an auction of “American Indian Art” at Sotheby’s in New York.

“First Nations and Metis objects and clothing from the 1850s are very rare,” said Susan Berry, the museum’s enthnology curator. “We also know a lot about the origins, right down to who made the garments and where they were purchased. It gives us a real insight into the fur trade era society and aboriginal society at that time.”

While it’s not certain that any of the items purchased by the provincial museum originated from the Jasper area, Jasper-Yellowhead museum officials and supporters hope that they might have a chance to play host to some of the artifacts.

“Our director has commited to putting the collection on display within the year,” said Berry. “We don’t know exactly what that will look like, but we are certainly open to the idea of travelling displays. I think that would be fantastic.”

The JYMA had been aware of the auction, but with a very small purchasing budget, could not participate, said museum director Karen Byers. There is also a concern over whether or not aboriginal artifacts should be returned to their original owners.

“There are a couple of schools of thought,” said Byers. “If we don’t go after artifacts, they will be in the hands of private collectors.”

According to Berry, the RAM had the support of indigenous groups in Alberta as they attempted to buy the relics.

“It’s important to make it accessible to people,” she said. “These items will be displayed where traditional peoples can see them, learn from them and appreciate them.”

The museum was outbid on 10 lots from the Earl’s collection, all of which went to private collectors or art dealers.

The provincial museum might value the historical accuracy surrounding the artifacts, but Southesk meant something quite specific for Jasper, Byers said.

“He was kind of the first tourist in Jasper, and he went on this incredible hunting trip. He travelled in via the Rocky River and went out through the Brazeau area, and he talked about that section in his book. You can trace his journey through those chapters.”

The Earl’s journey has generally been eclipsed by the Palliser Expedition, which was exploring the area further south around the same time, but the worldwide attention paid to the recent auction purchases may push Southesk into the limelight, said Parks Canada’s Ken Walker.

“Parks is excited and I’m excited about this,” he said. “He came to Jasper at a very crucial time and he was one of the first people who looked at Jasper as a destination.”

Parks interpretive staff are aware of Southesk’s history in the area, but Walker admits that there is limited information for the public anywhere in the Park.

“I think this might raise his profile and having his collection in Alberta may in fact spur us to do more to recognize him.”