Business card from the famed Cafe Rafio in Greenwich Village. by VAN EHMSEN, Ronald a.k.a. Rafio

NY: Privately published, ca. 1960.. Features an illustration printed in red of a sunglass-wearing, bearded beatnik with the catch phrase "Where the Beat Meet to Eat" printed above (the same illustration that appears on their menu). The Cafe Rafio was located on Bleeker Street in the heart of Greenwich Village near the Cafe Bizare and other venues. Like many of the other coffeehouses the Cafe Rafio also served as a music venue for Village muscians looking for gigs (The Holy Model Rounders played there when young playwright Sam Shepard was their drummer). Part of its legendary status stems from the fact that the owner, Ronald Van Ehmsen, a renowned eccentric Village character and the owner of Cafe Rafio, was shot by the occupant who lived behind the Cafe Rafio who was going to be evicted because the cafe had plans to expand their premises. At the time (1963) the "beatnik murder" became quite the sensational story in the Village. On the back written in pencil is "This cat is cool / Bruce." Minute stain to one corner, else near fine. The only copy of this card that we've handled after specializing in this material for 38 years. A terrific piece of beatnik, Greenwich Village ephemera from the coffee house scene.