Sumner Matteson, a bicycle salesman in Denver who became a photographer, traveled around the West between 1899 and 1903, photographing the Mesa Verde and Pueblo Bonito cliff-dwellings, Navajo Indians, Penitentes in New Mexico, Hopi Snake and Flute ceremonies in Arizona, the Pueblo villages of Acoma and Isleta, Montana wagon trains, and cattle and sheep roundups. He sold his own photographs, wrote articles and provided illustrations for popular magazines, and provided photographs for several books on Southwestern Indians written by others., Accompanied by a contemporary typescript containing captions and often explanatory background for almost all of the photographs in the album. Typescript titled "Index to the Frank Klepetko Album. Photos and Data by Sumner W. Matteson" and signed "Sumner W. Matteson, D.A.C. [Denver Athletic Club] Denver, Colo. Jan. 1903.", Individual photographs are 12 x 17 cm. and smaller., 157 of the photographs are platinum prints., Album and copy prints in 2 boxes., and Copy prints available for every page except the first.
Subject (Geographic):
Southwest, New, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, Abiquiu (N.M.), Acoma (N.M.), Canyon de Chelly National Monument (Ariz.), Colorado, Isleta (N.M.), Mancos Site (Colo.), Mesa Verde National Park (Colo.), Moenkopi Pueblo (Ariz.), and West (U.S.)
Subject (Name):
Klepetko, Frank., Matteson, Sumner W., 1867-1920., and Hermanos Penitentes
Subject (Topic):
Hopi Indians, Rites and ceremonies, Indians of North America, Cliff-dwellings, Kivas, Navajo Indians, Pueblo Indians, Snake dance, Mines and mineral resources, Sheep ranches, Wool industry, and Religious life and customs
