Tag Archives: 1940s

Hopi Indian Woman Riding Burro, Painted Desert, Arizona

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This image is an artists rendition of the view one might expect to see of the so-called Painted Desert in Arizona. It is probable that the woman riding the burro was added to give a better sense of scale to the image.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


The description states:
P.D. 27 HOPI INDIAN AND BURRO
AT PAINTED DESERT
The Hopi Indians, according to the traditions, are descendants of the Cliff Dwellers or the older tribes who have lived in this region for many centuries. Their lives have been adapted to the semi-arid and desert wastes… even their corn (Indian maize), squash and melons are acclimated and other grains do not thrive here. Within the Painted Desert proper no vegetation is found excepting a few scrubby varieties of sage and rabbit brush.
–The colors of this image are exaggerated from the true colors of the desert, though the effect is still obvious and impressive when viewed directly or through more faithful reproductions. The cliff dwellers mentioned above are now more commonly known as the Anasazi, though this term is not preferred by the Hopi.

Isleta Pueblo Women, New Mexico

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This image shows the traditional dress of the Isleta Indians of Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico. Both girls and women wore very similar attire.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


The description states:
A-24 “MORNING GREETINGS”
ISLETA INDIANS, ISLETA PUEBLO
NEAR ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Most of the Isleta Indians still adhere to their customs: –Although the men are gradually giving up their native costume, the women still wear the colored native dresses, which have been worn for hundreds of years. They cover their feet with a moccasin of buckskin which terminates in a long broad strip that is wound about their leg.
–Through treaty rights, these Pueblo communities have established a considerable autonomy in government and law enforcement from the state and federal government. This particular group has also erected a casino on their lands to attract gamblers and tourists.
This image dates from the 1940s.

Navajo Family and Hogan, New Mexico

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This image shows a Navajo family in attire both traditional and more modern. The structure behind the family is a Navajo hogan, the traditional dwelling for Navajo.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


The description states:
14 – NAVAJO INDIANS AT HOME
The Navajo Indians, 50,000 in number, show little influence of the advance of civilization, living by the primitive methods of their fore-fathers. Many of them live in such remote districts far from civilization that they seldom see a white man.
Their hand made blankets, of wool from the sheep raised by them are known for their unexcelled quality and design throughout the world. Their hand made jewelry is as much sought for.
–The original image was likely black and white, and the color added to increase the perceived value of the card. The yellow color is not typical of blankets and other clothes typically worn by Navajo.
This image dates from the 1940s.

Pueblo Indian Tuquoise Driller, New Mexico

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This image shows a Pueblo Indian craftsman using a hand drill to make holes in pieces of turquoise for threading on to jewelry. The spiral bands around the upper shaft of the drill allow the jeweler to spin the drill bit quickly with a minimum of additional effort.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


The description states:
No. 179 PUEBLO INDIAN
TURQUOISE DRILLER
Our scene shows the primitive method of drilling turquoise, which is a semi-precious stone peculiar to the southwest and worn by all tribes of Indians of this region at the time of the Spanish invasion. Great strings of valuable stones are worn about the neck, in ears and set in various articles of hand-wrought silver jewelry.
–There are several examples of the drillers work hanging around his neck, including both necklaces of carefully matched stones and variegated stones threaded into patterns.
This postcard dates from the 1940s.

“Pretty Eyes”, Navajo Baby, New Mexico

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This image shows the traditional bundling done for newborn Navajo babies, on a device called a cradleboard. The child is identified as Be-Nah Na-Zuhn, which is translated as Pretty Eyes.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


The description states:
PRETTY EYES (BE-NAH NA-ZUHN)
The Navajo Indian baby is carried in a cradle similar to this from birth until large enough to learn to creep.
Tho wrapped and bound, even in the summer, they seem quite happy and greet all strangers with a smile.
–The main danger of this kind of swaddling is the possible development of hip displasia from an inability to move the legs at the hip. The practice is still widely used, but in western countries it is modified to address this kind of potential problem.
This image is from the 1940s.

Lower Dells Boat Dock and Dam, Wisconsin

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This image shows the tour boat dock with what is likely the ‘Josephine’ underway in the middle of the image. In the distance is a dam, and a building above a waterway, possibly the turbines used to generate electricity from the flowing water. This structure still stands.
There is no description on the back of this card.
The design of this card is unusual in that it is not simply a photo with a legend marked on it. In addition, a photo of Herb Droste, captain of the tour boat ‘Josephine’, has been superimposed on the image with his name, presumably to further market his tours.
The boat dock still exists, having been updated over the decades, and still services tour boats for the Dells.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

Captain Herb Droste, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

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This image is a closeup of the tour boat “Josephine” and it’s owner/pilot, Captain Herb Droste. He promoted his boat and tour services extensively though postcards such as this.
There is no description on the back of this card.
Such cards as the ones shown in the past two weeks were originally photos, which were stamped on the back with postcard markings for stamps, addresses and messages. It was an inexpensive way to take advantage of the postcard craze common among tourists of this era.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

Rocky Island Region, Lower Dells, Wisconsin

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This image shows a few of the rock formations which have, through erosion, become islands in the Lower Dells. As wind and water continue to erode the formations extending into the water, the peninsulas ‘break off’ and become free standing.
There is no description on the back of this card.
The boat “Josephine” was certainly stopped and posed for this photo, as the captain is outside the pilot house and standing on the forecastle.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

Hawk’s Bill, Lower Dells, Wisconsin

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This image of the tour boat Josephine shows a rock formation behind and above it called the Hawk’s Bill. This can refer to either the top most portion of the outcrop or the entire outcrop, depending on one’s imagination.
There is no description on the back of the card.
This image is intended to advertise the tour boat service as much as it does the sights visible from the water throughout the Dells.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.

Lone Rock, Lower Dells, Wisconsin

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This image shows both a rock formation and a well-known tourist boat of the era. The rock formation is called Lone Rock, as it is found at some great distance from other formations in and around the lake.
There is no description on the back of this card.
The boat shown is named Josephine (it can be viewed more easily by clicking on the image to get the full sized picture). It was one of a small fleet of such vessels available for tourists to cruise the Lower Dells.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.