Since it was sold in 2013, I cannot remember. I had a smaller rug similar and I am not sure I still have it. If I find it I will let you know.
DHT
2 Likes
Here ya go you Hudson Bay fans…
The candy stripe one was my mom got in the 50’s or early 60’s, and the red one my parents bought me when I was in ninth grade. I don’t wear either very often anymore, simply because my down coats are so much lighter, and wool makes me more itchy than it used to. But I still love them both. Both were bought in Ontario.
6 Likes
Those are cool. I especially like the bottom one. 
2 Likes
did I remember to mention that somebody researched the embroidered tags (dates) & published that info?
&
the company sent a bunch of new blankets to various artists across canada for a recent anniversary ? to be made into “outerwear”.
2 Likes
Thank you! Me too. I have great memories of my parents shopping for this with me. My dad passed a couple years after, so it’s definitely special to me. It’s nice when things have history to them. That’s partly why I buy my jewelry when I’m out west; I associate the piece with the memories of where I bought it. Plus… I don’t trust myself to buy online LOL. I’m really picky on how something looks or feels on me.
1 Like
That is interesting. I do have a pretty good little book on the Hudson’s Bay Trading Company.
1 Like
I still have a very large HB, and have been trying to find tag reg. information. The tags are in excellent condition, and two red Faribault Red striped blankets with an early tag which I’ve not seen as yet in my searches. I had them as bunk blankets at camp from 1950-1957, then they were traveling sheets for two of my horses, and then now one is my Sams blanket, and one will be a coat for me.
2 Likes
Forgot to say, since my parents used to love going LL Bean in ME on their way to visit my mothers family in Canada frequently I would think the two blankets came from there.
2 Likes
He’s a lucky horse!
Where did they live in Canada? I’ve only been in Maine once, and it was on a drive back through from the Atlantic provinces (our drive out had been through Quebec from via NY). I love Canada!
Hudson’s Bay has a history page for their blankets. Anybody interested in investing in a HB blanket should read this first. It also explains the points system, which BTW has nothing to do with beaver pelts.
https://www.hbcheritage.ca/things/fashion-pop/hbc-point-blanket
2 Likes
I hear you, but not every reference says there is absolutely zero truth behind the beaver story.
The info you have is very interesting also to me, because I have a book published for the Hudson’s Bay company that does say there is some history to the beaver pelt thing.
But definitely not the connection I once thought.
aw,hun…that’s called “salesmenship”…AKA lying
Seriously?? Still agree to disagree. Often there are kernels of truth buried way back in history.
sure,some being lies told to screw the ignorant
sittin’ around the fire w/a pipe & a pint,pleased w/yourself for a bigger profit from telling that ignorant-of-european-commerce local that those black lines were the price tag. & your buddies laughing (& buying you another pint) & agreeing they’d try that the next encampment down/up river.
Was just going through some photos on my computer, and found this photo that I had of the Toadlena Trading Post. Wish I had a better pic, but it gives you a feel of the timelessness of the area. Thought I would add it to the post so those of you that haven’t been there can see it. It’s off the beaten path, but if any of you are ever out there on the NM portion of the rez close to the AZ border, I would highly recommend taking the time to check this wonderful place out.
7 Likes
The picture quality isn’t great because I took it through the windshield as a thunderstorm was rolling in.
2 Likes
Really captures how the built environment is so settled into the landscape. Thanks for posting!
2 Likes
Looks like my kind of place! No glitz, no glitter, simply treasure hunting! Lol
1 Like
It’s an amazing old historic Navajo Trading Post with a lot of history. It’s where the well-made famous Navajo Two Grey Hills rugs originated (the style) which is mostly what they have for sale. Rugs and rugs and more rugs…rooms of piled up rugs, rugs on the walls, on the chairs…
They had a little bit of jewelry in a case in the grocery store area, and I probably should have looked at it, but I had pretty much spent my limit by that time. It has a little grocery for the locals with the old wood floors and old display cases. It’s truly a treasure. The building behind it is a museum I believe. We did not have time to go into the museum, because we were driving up to Mesa Verde. You leave the main road which goes from Gallup to Shiprock, and drive back toward the mountains and eventually the road turns to gravel. So worth it. I went there specifically to buy a Two Grey Hills rug from the Post.
4 Likes
I was going through some photos and found these, so I thought I’d add them to this thread. The first is a closer view of the Toadlena Trading Post. The Two Grey Hills Post is farther along a rougher road, but this is where the museum is (we didn’t have time for it - spent too long picking out a rug).
This pic is looking east from the post across the NM portion of the Navajo reservation. We are in the foothills of the mountains (Chuska mountains I think - not exactly sure where they end and turn into another range) that run along the NM/AZ border.
Here we were driving back from the post on Indian Service Rt 19 to rt 491, which heads from Gallup north into CO.
Thought I’d add these for those who haven’t been able to visit the areas where so much Native art is produced.
5 Likes