Including sketches by Crompton, etchings by Edward Whymper, black and white stills by Vittorio Sella and colour images by the likes of John Cleare and Bob and Ira Spring, Souvenirs from High Places is a celebration not only of the sport through imagery, but of the people who perfected various art mediums to capture the sport visually.
Published in 1998, the book ends just before the digital era, which does leave the reader hanging with regard to recent climbing events and imagery, but the work makes up for this dating through its carefully selected collection up to the end of the 20th century.
The hard cover coffee table book was compiled by Joe Bensen, who holds a passion for both climbing and photography. Books aside, he teaches photography and holds a degree in fine art in photography.
As one could imagine, the cumulative collection from which to choose is immense, and Benson has done well to steer clear of certain obvious images that made a number events world famous, (for example Tenzing Norgay on the summit of Everest), choosing rather more obscure images that embody the combined talents of form, subject, lighting and composition.
Souvenirs from High Places also allows for an insight into climbing techniques, fashion and conditions. From Woman in Elizabethan dresses scaling glaciers, cotton and tweed clothing of the early 20th century to futuristic gear, this book is a ‘have to have’ for any mountain literature enthusiast.
