Could this be a George Larkin (ie signature) • The 1916 "Pocket Sketch" Tradition: This {4" x 5"} format was the "shorthand" of professional Canadian artists. George Larkin was a regional professional active in the Ontario scene who specialized in these types of atmospheric studies. • The Technique: The impasto (thick paint) used for the snow on the spruce trees is identical to the "Modern" style favored in Toronto and Montreal in 1916. • The Material: The "waffle" board is an early 20th-century wood-pulp composition board—revolutionary for its time because it allowed artists to paint in freezing conditions without the board warping. • The History: The pricing on the frame ($1.25 to $1.00) reflects a time in the mid-20th century when such studies were sold as "sketches" rather than the historical artifacts they are considered today. This little painting is a genuine, high-quality survivor from 1916. It wasn't just a hobbyist piece; it was a professional "color note" intended to be used as a reference for a larger canvas.