1905 Bauman & Rasmessen’s Curio Blue Book Tucson A.T.
Most notably, below is a scan of an extremely rare and unique curio bluebook. Moreover, this booklet describes the goods that the Bauman & Rasmessen Curio Store carries.
First of all, Rudolph Rasmessen and Sam Baumann are in their twenties when they start their curio store. Then again, Sam’s father, John Baumann, is a Indian Trader and Navajo Indian Agent. Consequently, he helps the young men start their store. In addition, Rudolph Rasmessen takes journeys through both the Navajo reservation and the Tohono O’odham reservation to purchase baskets, pottery and blankets for their store.
In like manner, Rudolph starts publishing and selling real photo postcards at the curio store in 1905. Notably, he later becomes mayor of Tucson, and serves from 1921 through 1925.
Equally important, there is a notation “R Rasmessen Successor To” on the main pages. Not to mention, according to an Arizona Daily Star newspaper article from 1905, Rudolph Rasmessen buys out his business partner (Bauman) in March of that year.
Bauman & Rasmessen’s Curio Blue Book Tucson Arizona circa 1905First of all, this is Bauman & Rasmessen’s Curio Blue Book Tucson Arizona Page 1 “Dedicated to the Curio Loving Public”Secondly, here is Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 2 & 3 “If ever in Tucson, we invite you to visit our store. it is a veritable museum, and will prove instructive as well as interesting to you.”Thirdly, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 4 & 5 features Papago (Now the Tohono O’odham) BasketsForthly, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 6 & 7 features Pima Baskets, Apache Baskets, and Moqui Indian Weaves.Also, here are Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 8 & 9 features Navajo Wedding Baskets, Indian Bead Work, and Pottery In addition, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 10 & 11 features Indian Weapons, Dagger Cases, Apache Fiddles, Indian Dance Rattles, and War ClubsAlso, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 12 & 13 features Indian Dolls, Indian Jewelry, Indian Moccasins, and Hair and Rawhide Work.In addition, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 14 & 15 features Navajo Blankets.As a matter of fact, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 16 & 17 features Chimayo Blankets and Mexican Drawn Work. Not to mention, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 18 & 19 features doilies and handkerchiefs.In the same fashion, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 20 & 21 features Mexican Zarapes, Mexican Silk Rabozzas, and Shaws, and Mexican Sombreros.To say nothing of, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 22 & 23 features Natural History Specimens including Live Gila Monsters (now a Federally protected animal), Jewelry, and Canes.Not to mention, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 24 & 25 features Burnt Leather, Carved Leather, and Mexican OpalsComparatively, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 26 & 27 features A Few Oddities, Old Relics, Souvenir Spoons, and The Burro Book.Furthermore, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 28 & 29 features Wood Souvenirs, Souvenir Playing Cards, and Photographs and Postcards.Additionally, Bauman & Rasmessen Pages 30 & 31 discusses geographic access to Indian and Mexican curios.Finally, Bauman & Rasmessen Page 32 “Once articles are sold, they cannot be replaced!”
In like fashion, here is an advertisement from the University of Arizona’s 1903 yearbook.
