Recto:

l.l. in image: Copyright 1888 \ By C.F. LUMMIS

l.r. in image: CRUCIFIXION OF THE \ PENITENTES.

Mount, recto:

u.r. printed along roght edge: Box 1257 \ LOS ANGELES, CAL.

l.r. printed along right edge: Chas. F. Lummis & Co., \ PUBLISHERS.

Mount, verso:

u.l. to u.r. in ink: This picture represents the actual crucifixion of one of the "Penitentes." \ The authorities try to stop these barbarous religious (?) ceremonies \ but not with entire success. The negative from which this was \ taken is the first even obtained, and it was done then at the risk \ of the life of the photographer. \ O.

c.r. printed: The Penitentes

c. printed: A brotherhood of religious fanatics, of great antiquity, who still practice \ their barbarous rites in New Mexico. During Lent they carry huge crosses, \ lash their bare backs with terrible whips, lie or crawl on beds of cactus; and \ wind up on Good Friday by the actual crucifixion of one of their number, \ chosen by lot . There were once many thousand in New Mexico, but now their \ rites are observed in but two or three hamlets. \ The Only photographs ever made of the Penitentes. \ See Cosmopolitan Magazine, May, 1889.

l.c. [stamp]: FOR ONE TIME USE ONLY \ CREDIT COLLECTION OF \ FRED AND JO. MAZZULLA \ 1930 EAST 8TH AVE. \ DENVER, COLORADO 80206

Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas

Public domain