R.M. Bruchman Indian Trader Letterhead

Collection

Identifier: RC2010-036

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

One sheet of letterhead from the R.M. Bruchman Indian Trader business.

Dates

Creation: circa 1910-1925

Creator

Bruchman, R.M. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The R.M. Bruchman Indian Trader Letterhead has no restrictions and is available for research. If you are interested in researching the materials, please contact the Dickinson Research Center to make an appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

The R.M. Bruchman Indian Trader Letterhead is the property of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (NCWHM). Materials, even if owned by the NCWHM, may be protected under third party copyright. It is the patron’s responsibility to research and secure any such additional copyright and pay any required fees or royalties. It is not the intention of the NCWHM to impede upon any third party rights, and the NCWHM cannot be held responsible if the patron is involved in legal action due to violation of third party copyright claims.

Biographical / Historical

In his late teens, Wisconsin-raised Richard Max Bruchman (1882-1986) started working in a mercantile in New Mexico. By 1903 he bought his own trading post in a small town north of Winslow, Arizona. He operated the business until 1921. During his time at the trading post, he traveled in a horse-drawn wagon every day into Winslow to pick up merchandise and supplies. During these trips he passed through the Navajo reservation, and grew to have a close connection with the Navajo. He learned their culture and their language.

In 1921, Bruchman moved into Winslow and opened the R.M. Bruchman Indian Trader. The business was well-known for the high quality hand-woven Navajo blankets and handmade Navajo jewelry it sold. He ran the store for fifty years, stepping down in 1971 at the age of 89.