Tag Archives: Mexico

Mexican Bullfighter Painting

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This image shows a bullfighter ‘making a pass’ with his cape to lure the bull behind him where the cape has been displayed.

Distribuido Por: Publicaciones Barrera P. O. Box 2, Laredo, Texas


The description states, first in Spanish, then English:
EL PENDULO DE JORGE AGUILAR “EL RANCHERO’
THE “PENDULUM PASS” BY JORGE AGUILAR “EL RANCHERO”
— The move described is so named for the movement of the matador’s arm behind his back as he waves the cape. His nickname was earned charro bullfighting. He died in the ring.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.

Souvenir Stall, Mexico Border Town

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This image shows a very typical souvenir stall that might be found in any of the several border towns that line the Rio Grande opposite river towns such as Eagle Pass, Del Rio and El Paso.

Photo by Bill Kobert


The description states:
MB-122. It is fun to shop in the Mexican border towns, such as Nuevo Laredo and Piedras Negras. Visitors are greatly fascinated by the beautiful, quaint shops and market places displaying colorful and inexpensive Mexican made products.
–Among the items sold are visible toys and dolls, paintings and baskets, hats and guitars, hand woven serapes and carved wooden statuettes.
This image likely dates from the 1960s.

Opening of the Bullfight, Mexico

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This image shows the typical opening ceremony of the traditional bullfight, in this instance a parade of the various performers, including picadors, toreadors, and a matador.

Photo by Mark Turok


The description states:
EL PASEO DE LAS CUADRILLAS
The opening parade at the bullfight.
— The bullfight is often referred to as a sport, but it is more a ritual custom of Hispanic nations and cities, as there is no competition involved. While it is still practiced today, it has come under criticism for its harm to the bulls.
This postcard likely dates from the 1960s.

Open Air Market, Oaxaca, Mexico

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This image shows a few of the many market stalls in one of the open air markets in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Photo by Arno Brehme


The description states:
Mercado Tipico en Mexico. Typical old Mexican Market
Oaxaca, Oax, Mexico
–Among the other items for sale are the large pottery storage jars, metal cooking pots and pans, and hand woven baskets.
This image likely dates from the 1960s.

Aerial View, Piedras Negras, Mexico

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This image, taken from a low elevation, shows the main square of Piedras Negras, Mexico and large buildings on two sides of the square.

“Mexico Fotographico” Apartado 1934 Mexico


The description states:
Parroquia, Palacio y Plaza Principal
Principal Square, Palace and Parish.
Piedras Negras, Coah., Mex.
–The building identified as the Parish is better known as El Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, built in 1859. The Palace was likely the former government center, but there was a new government building erected in 1986.
This postcard was used and likely dates from the 1960s like the previous one.

Business District Street, Piedras Negras, Mexico

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This image shows a typical business street in the Mexican city of Piedras Negras, Mexico. It is located directly across the Rio Grande from the Texas city of Eagle Pass. The name means ‘black stones’.

MEXFOTOCOLOR


The description states:
Arteria Comercial
Commercial Artery
Piedras Negras, Coah., Mex.
— In the distance is a significant landmark building which will be revealed more fully in the next posting. From the cars shown here, this image likely dates from the 1960s.

Lozano’s Curio Shop, Acuña, Mexico

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This image shows a typical souvenir shop as it looked in mid-20th century Mexico. The establishment is brightly colored, with high visibility signage and welcoming statements painted on the outside in English for visiting tourists.

Photo by Peter Koch


The description states:
LOZANO’S CURIOS
Main St., Cuidad Acuña
Greatest selection of native Mexican craft in town. You are always welcome.
— Ciudad Acuña is located on the Rio Grande at the border with Texas, across the river from Del Rio, Texas. It is one of several towns that have developed directly across the river boundary from cities in Texas.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Mexicali Beer Garden, Tijuana, Mexico

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This image shows the substantial establishment labelled the Mexicali Beer Garden. It was erected to increase interest in the recently established Mexicali Beer product, still sold today. The actual brewery was in Mexicali, but the Prohibition tourists from San Diego meant that their best selling opportunity was 112 miles closer to San Diego in the small town of Tijuana.
The only inscription on the back of this card is as follows:
Pub. by “The Big Curio Store.”
Lower California Commercial Co., Inc.
Tijuana, Mexico
–The brewing company that produced this beer, and presumably also erected this retail establishment soon after, was founded in 1923, so this image likely dates from shortly after that time. Prohibition was in effect in the U.S. beginning in 1919, and many thousands of thirsty Americans were traveling the short distance from San Diego to Tijuana to drink legally.
The postcard was used, as can be seen by the imprint of the stamp cancellation in the upper left corner, but the stamp was removed long ago, obliterating the postmark, and the card is otherwise undated.

China Poblana Costume, Mexico

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This is an example of the China Poblana, or Chinese Pueblan dress style considered the traditional style of Mexico now. The model is standing in front of the University of Mexico building, intricately detailed in its own right.

Editorial De Arte, S.A., Apartado 2071 Mexico, D.F.


The description is quite simple:
CHINA POBLADO
Es la Ciudad Universitaria de Mexico (Typical China Poblana costume)
The postcard was mailed, and the airmail stamp used is from a series printed in the 1950s.