This picture features the well known jeweler from the Zuni nation referred to as “Zuni Dick”. His Zuni name was Tsnahey according to the Overland Monthly, and was photographed several times from the early 1900s until this photo was taken, obviously late in his life. There are also colored drawings of this photograph in existence.
The man is using a hand drill to cut small holes in the turquoise beads and stones for threading them onto necklaces and other items. There are records of Zuni Dick dating back to the 1890s, so this photo, likely from the late 1930s or 1940s, shows him at an advanced age.
The caption states: “Zuni Dick” an Indian turquoise worker near Burke Navajo Vocational School, Gallup, N. M. A3204
Category: Postcards From Another Millennium
Postcards from various decades of the 20th century.
Dying Wool for Navajo Weaving, Gallup, New Mexico
This shows a Navajo woman using a simple dye bucket for to bundle of wool she is working with. The technique is old, and the photo could have been taken in the 19th century. This colored wool will eventually be combined with other colors in clothes and rugs, as shown behind the dyer.
The caption states: Dyeing wool for Navajo Indian Rugs, Gallup, New Mexico
The picture likely dates from the 1940s.
Carding Wool, Gallup, New Mexico
This is another step in the process of rug weaving for the Navajo crafters. Carding is the process of separating the long fiber wool from the short, along with any debris that may remain in the wool after shearing. Hand carding is much less common now.
The caption on the front states: Carding wool to be used in Navajo Indian rug weaving, Gallup, New Mexico.
This postcard likely dates from the 1940s.
Navajo Sheep Shearing, Gallup New Mexico
This image is a photograph of the earliest stages of Navaho weaving, as practiced in the early 20th Century. The women are shearing sheep, using manual sheep shears as seen in the hands of the woman on the right. It is slow, difficult work with live animals.
There is no description on the back of this card or the black and white ones that follow. They are photographs that have been cropped, printed on paper and stamped on the back with postcard markings for tourist use.
The caption states: Shearing sheep obtaining wool to be used in Navajo Indian rug weaving, Gallup, New Mexico.
The card likely dates from the 1940s.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel, San Miguel, California
Mission San Miguel Arcangel is still operated by the Franciscans and its rural location allows the visitor a much more historical view of the conditions typical of the mission chain during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The description states:
MISSION SAN MIGUEL ARCANGEL
Founded 1797, San Miguel California
Once again in the charge of Franciscans, San Miguel preserves on the walls of its church the only unretouched paintings and decorations by Indian artists. The vegetable stains from which the aborigines made their paints remain bright to this day. The burros are popular fixtures.
–A remarkable feature of the mission is the arcade with intentionally variable arch heights and widths. The postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Warehouse, Mission San Juan Capistrano, California
This is another view of the archways that line the courtyard and other long buildings on the grounds. The arches here also show the original brick construction, visible through the absent or thinning stucco covering. The building these arches form the arcade for is the storage areas for the mission.
The description states:
Old Warehouse – North Corridor
This building restored in 1928 and now used as Parish School and Convent
OLD MISSION
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
Founded November 1, 1776
–It is likely that this building is no longer used for the purposes noted in order to prevent any further damage and to preserve more of the historical character of the grounds. This postcard was used, and bears a postmark of 1948.
Serra’s Church Altar, San Juan Capistrano, California
This image is of another church nearby the ruined Great Stone Church of Mission San Juan Capistrano. This was built during the time of the founder, Junipero Serra, and is the only remaining structure known where Serra celebrated Mass.
The description states:
Serra Church 1776
Mission Altar carved from Cherry Wood
in Barcelona, Spain
OLD MISSION
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
Founded November 1, 1776
–This is a handcolored version of an original black and white photo. Additional images of this chapel can be seen here. The card dates to the 1940’s.
Mission San Juan Capistrano Arches
This image features the details and construction of the arched walkway common to many missions throughout the chain. As can be seen through the eroded plaster the pillars and arches are made of fired brick while the ceiling is wooden beams.
The description simply states: C27 Mission San Juan Capistrano
–The official website for Mission San Juan Capistrano shows some of the evolution of the mission site and the current ruined state of the main chapel. This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Mission San Juan Capistrano Courtyard, California
Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the most famous, as it has the tradition of celebrating the return of migrating swallows every year, which has been the subject of songs and films. This is traditionally celebrated on this day, 19 March, also called St. Joseph’s Day, every year.
The description states:
C384 – SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
MISSION COURTYARD
This courtyard of the famous mission, with its surrounding ivy-covered walls, is where owls and swallows by the thousands take refuge. The arrival of the swallow on St. Joseph’s Day each year is a phenomenon anticipated by all.
–The mission has yet to be fully restored, though the chapel has been in constant use since its founding. The postcard likely dates from the 1950’s.
Mission San Antonio de Padua, Jolon California
Mission San Antonio de Padua is in a more remote area of south Monterey County. This means the area around it is more consistent with the original conditions that existed when the mission was founded. It also was one of the later missions to be restored.
The description states:
MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA
Founded 1777, near Jolon, California
Only recently restored and rebuilt by the Franciscans who use it as a school fort their Order, the charming setting in an oak-studded valley remains the same as when founded by Padre Serra. The walls and unique brick facade of the church, and a few arches, remain of the original.
–This mission was also the first to have a tile roof, as earlier missions were wood or thatch before being upgraded. This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.