© 2000 John Bigelow Taylor

World-renowned explorer Heinrich Harrer selected ten of the most evocative photographs from his critically acclaimed exhibition, Seven Years in Tibet, 1944-1951, Photographs by Heinrich Harrer, for the Heinrich Harrer Limited Edition Portfolio.

The Portfolio is the first collection of Heinrich Harrer's rare photographs as fine art in a limited edition of fifty. The ten silver gelatin photographs—each signed and numbered by Heinrich Harrer—have been archivally printed from his original negatives.

The Portfolio has been acquired by:

• The United States Library of Congress Asian Division,
• Harvard University Fine Arts Library,
• Cornell University Carl A. Kroch Library,
• Columbia University East Asian C. V. Starr Library,
• The American Alpine Club.

Chosen for their content and graphic composition, the ten images represent a poignant visual essay of traditional Tibet that resonate with the historical significance of the twilight years of Tibetan freedom.

The Fourteenth Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of Tibet, has signed each personal Message included with the Portfolio:

Harrer was one of the few people living in Lhasa in the twilight years of Tibetan freedom who was able to photograph people and scenes from all walks of life. These photographs form a valuable record of Tibet as it was, and I am glad that they are being presented in this archival portfolio so that others may witness the contentment that was ours.