Vittorio Sella (1859-1943), Photographer

Taken by Vittorio Sella during the Duke of Abruzzi expedition to the Karakorum in 1909 -- the second attempt on the mountain following Oscar Eckenstein and Aleister Crowley's effort in 1902 -- this print of the south-east face of K2 is no. 39 of a limited edition printed by the Istituto di Fotografia Alpina "V. Sella" to commemorate the first ascent of K2 in 1954. Signed by the first ascentionists Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli along with Erich Abram, Ugo Angelino, Walter Bonatti, Mario Fantin, Cirillo Floreanini, Pino Gallotti, Guido Pagani, Ubaldo Rey, Gino Solda and Sergio Viotto, it is without the signature of leader Ardito Desio who was in dispute with the expedition following the climb.