Vintage Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum Southwest Heritage Route 66 Key Fob Pendant

Description

This is a very rare and unique item. I couldn't find anything else quite like it online! I am not sure if a Keychain, a Key Fob, Charm, Pendant, Commemorative Medallion, etc... Even when I contacted the NCAWH Museum they had no idea and said it was a
"pretty interesting artifact"
. They suggested it was either a 1955 or 1965. Through my own research I can assure it was made between 1963-1965.
This was likely made between 1963-1965 as it only says "
Cowboy Hall of Fame
", as the name was changed later that year to the
National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum
and later in 1960, the name was changed again to the
National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center
. The American Alliance of Museums gave the museum full accreditation in 2000, when it took on its present name, the
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum!
This was stamped with a Signpost, with the upper limb of the post being an arrow, which means it was made by
Sunbell Trading Company
, successsor of the
Bell Trading Post,
located in
Albuquerque, New Mexico
. Bell and Sunbell employed peoples of the
Navajo
nations due to their skills with copper and silver.  Sunbell began this Jewelry Stamp around 1963, meaning this item was most likely commissioned before the name changed for the Cowboy Hall of Fame that occurred in 1965. Bell Trading Post was founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1932 by Jack Michelson and his wife Mildred. They sold southwest style jewelry at various tourist locations around the United States. Mildred's maiden name was Bell and was the cause behind the Posts name. The original Bell Trading Post was on the
Historic Route 66
. The business managed to survive and thrive even after the building of newer highways that then bypassed old Route 66.
This is a rare and unique item with a lot of history behind it
and the strive to preserve South Western History. I cannot claim it's a one of a kind but considering I cannot find anything else like it online, it may be! I am wondering if this was a sample or individually created item but there is no way to research it further than I have.
Thank you so much for looking
feel free to make me an offer
and to check out my ebay for other antique and vintage items.
Thank you so much for looking and feel free to make me an offer.
I will out of town and unable to answer questions or ship May 14 -18.  Thank you and Take Care!!!