INDIAN SOUVENIR MARKED "TOLULA"

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

INDIAN SOUVENIR MARKED "TOLULA"

This is what I call a ... "What Does It Mean?"

I collect southwest souvenirs and have several hundred items. I purchased this item recently and was hoping someone can tell me what "Tolula" means? Or is it just someone's name? I already did my internet homework on it, but came up empty handed. The only thing I found for "Tolula" was the name of a female British model.

I describe the item as a circa early 1900s Papoose Trading Post souvenir, like those that tourist might purchase along old Route 66 while on vacation. But it could be from almost any part of the United States or Canada. I'm really not sure. The main portion measures six inches long by three inches wide. Inside is oldtime cardboard, encased in very soft and very fragile leather. The baby is made of either bakalite or some early form of plastic.

But mainly I would like to know if "Tolula" is an American Indian word, or possibly just someone's name. Has anyone here ever heard of this word in their region? Is it possibly the name of a town? It might be the name of the person who made it. If so, I'm hoping someone will recognize the name so I can narrow down what part of the country it originated in.

Thanks.

SODABOTTLEBOB

[ I would take it apart and examine it closer, but the leather is too fragile for that ]

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: INDIAN SOUVENIR MARKED "TOLULA"

Do you think it could be an early Skookum? http://www.skookumnews.com/past/v2n1wntr2001/Pages/02feature.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Skookum-Ind...12527?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item43aa68ef2f

http://www.google.com/patents?id=2Y...=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

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[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: INDIAN SOUVENIR MARKED "TOLULA"

Cy ~

Thanks for the contribution.

I have a couple of Skookum dolls in my collection and do not believe they are related to my leather-wrapped "Tolula" papoose. One thing the article failed to mention about Skookums is the fact their eyes are always painted in a side glancing position. I can't recall the specific reason for this, but it was intentional. Most of the Skookum papooses are downright ugly.

Since my last post I have searched dilligently for another papoose like mine (even if by a different name) but have not found one yet. Plus, the more I look, the more I realize the amazing detail that my baby has. It is really life-like, and has an uncanny appearance of being extremely high quality. I may never know for certain what the name represents, but I do believe the item is from either an old trading post or a historical location somewhere in the United States. I do not think it is from a State Park or National Park as I have a number of those types of souvenirs and they are almost without exception marked accordingly. I have a really cool hand made, wood tomahawk from the Grand Canyon which is marked before it became a National Park in 1919.

Bob

Here's a sampling of some of my southwest souvenirs collection. The Grand Canyon tomahawk is in the lower left. The second picture shows a few more items including a Skookum, plus part of my "Big Chief" soda bottle collection. The two pictures represent only a fraction of my entire collection. I hope to do a book someday.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: INDIAN SOUVENIR MARKED "TOLULA"

Nice collection Bob. 8)

I see what you mean about the eyes.
The hair is also completely different on yours than the Skookums.

Is the name burnt into the leather?

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: INDIAN SOUVENIR MARKED "TOLULA"

Cy ~

Thanks.

Yes, it is burnt in. Which I mentioned earlier to point out that the second letter is a 'L' and not a 't.'

Bob

Here's some more of my southwest stuff. This is one corner of a room full. The horse rearing at Monument Valley, Arizona on the left is my desktop and where I'm sitting right now.

 

[S IL THer]

Re: INDIAN SOUVENIR MARKED "TOLULA"

Is there any way to find archives of Antiques Road Show; I remember them having "Tolula" items in the past.....just a thought..

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: INDIAN SOUVENIR MARKED "TOLULA"

S IL THer ~

Good idea. Thanks.

Here's a searchable link to the Antiques Roadshow TV archives. I have tried several search words already, including Tolula, but have not found anything yet. I intend to keep trying, but thought others might like to try it, too.

Thanks again.

SBB

Link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/index.html