Bell Trading Post of Albuquerque, NM: company history

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Then and now. 1948 vs. 2002. The 1948 Bell Trading Post building is still there but now it is has been transformed into loft condos. Keeping the original structure look but for a new use. Notice the sign, that is the basis for the 1961 logo, is still out in front!

 

T

[B-17Guy]

Now that’s really cool!
 

Great job on the Bell history Tod!

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Thanks for the kind appreciation. I always trying to add my bit to the research.

[rathbonemuseum.com]

Adding this interesting piece of oral history from the Northern Arizona University special collections about Traders and Trading posts, jewelry and the Native Americans who made it. Bell Trading was prominent in this story and speaks to how the traders were able to get a special dispensation from the US Government to release silver during the war so that older native silversmiths could survive:

 

in the words of Tobe Turpen:

 

"Back during World War II…the silver and gold and all precious metals--copper, everything--was frozen for the war effort.  So there was no jewelry to be made anywhere.  There was no costume jewelry to be made, no fine jewelry.  But somehow or another, someone convinced the powers to be that the Indians needed this for their livelihood.  There were Indians that weren't gonna make it if they couldn't perform the task of making jewelry.  So the government allowed a little bit of silver to be released, and the United Indian Traders Association handled this silver and doled it out to the traders….

 

That's what started makin' jewelry more popular or more recognizable, was because it was the only jewelry there was in the whole United States.  And all of a sudden, here's Gallup, this little mecca, and dealers are comin' from everywhere to buy this really kinda junky Indian jewelry that people were throwing together.  One of the big dealers, [some] of the people who were most successful, a company named Bell Trading, received a contract from the government to make pilots' wings, and they were stamped out of sterling silver.  Well, either they were given extra silver, or they pulled a little off the side, because all of a sudden there was silver for them to make Indian jewelry, and they were Indian jewelry manufacturers also.

 

But anyway, it worked its way down--this black market silver worked its way down into some of the dealers in Gallup, and all of a sudden we became the Indian jewelry mecca of the world--of the United States, certainly.  And that's when the popularity started.

 

Then after the war, when other merchandise was available, it just kind of died on the vine on us."
 

[warguy]

Interesting information, and from my Alma Mater right here in my home town! Fascinating stuff! Thanks for sharing!

[triplecanopy]

Thank you for a very informative and interesting article. I do have a question: Did Bell ever make any Master Parachutist Badges? I have never seen one, but since they did make basic and senior parachutist wings why would they also not produce the master jump wings? I wonder if a bucket of them is sitting in a dust covered corner of a shop somewhere in Albuquerque.

 

[rathbonemuseum.com]

@triplecanopy, i wish i could answer your question about the Master Parachutist badge. When i talked with JT Michelson, he did not have much in terms of specific insignia memory. Just the two pictures of the "wall of fame". He was very proud of the five-star general/admiral insignia they produced. The company went out of business in 1982 so i don't think any dusty buckets are likely to turn up soon! But hope springs eternal!

[triplecanopy]

Thanks for the reply. One can always hope. All the best!