Cigar Store Indian in the Desert

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

This old cigar store Indian was standing in the desert on the other side of NM Highway 14 from the old mining town of Cerrillos, New Mexico. A terrible storm began just as I finished making this photograph. I made this last month during my trip to New Mexico.

 

[robklurfield]

Very nice. That sky looks properly menacing. It gives a nice strong sense that he's watching out for something more important than if he were in his more normal habitat at smoke shop. Nevertheless...

Though they have somewhat wooden personalities, these fellows are surprising photogenic...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/4168907352_548f6323a2_z.jpg

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Rob, I like that one you posted, love the guy in the background lined up with the Indian. Was that one painted, like the one in my photo? I'd never seen a painted one before.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I'm surprised it was still there. Collectors will pay a fortune for these cigar store indians!

 

[oftheherd]

Rob, I like that one you posted, love the guy in the background lined up with the Indian. Was that one painted, like the one in my photo? I'd never seen a painted one before.

Painted cigar store indians used to be fairly common if one believes what one used to see in movies. I don't think I ever saw one in my home town in the mid-west.

I'm surprised it was still there. Collectors will pay a fortune for these cigar store indians!

That was my first thought as well. Even a new one would take an investment of a lot of hours.

 

[robklurfield]

Chris, my Indian was not painted so far as I can remember. I shot that image almost 30 years ago, so my memory is iffy at best. It may have been stained. I think that painted ones are unusual unless they're modern (cheap) reproductions. Standing alone as he is, yours really looks as if he's guarding the whole New Mexico desert from encroaching pale faces getting ready to steal the entire Southwest. Apparently, it didn't work. Too bad. Odd that someone left him perched out there and odder still that no one made off with him.

Rob, I like that one you posted, love the guy in the background lined up with the Indian. Was that one painted, like the one in my photo? I'd never seen a painted one before.

 

[paulfish4570]

interesting context with no store in the background.

 

[Bill58]

Coincidentally, I just saw the Seinfeld episode re-run of "The Cigar Store Indian" last night. Really nice shot.