Icons of Everest: Signed Photograph by Hillary & Norgay with Tenzing Norgay’s Autobiography “After Everest”

Description:
This remarkable lot offers a piece of mountaineering history: an original photograph from the first successful ascent of Mount Everest, personally signed by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa—the two legendary climbers who stood atop the world on May 29, 1953. Accompanying the photograph is a rare copy of After Everest: An Autobiography by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, as told to Malcolm Barnes and published by Vikas Publishing House. Together, these items pay tribute to a feat that captured the imagination of the world and forever changed the history of exploration. The signed photograph immortalizes the moment humanity reached the Earth’s highest point—an event marked by courage, perseverance, and the extraordinary partnership between a New Zealand beekeeper and a humble but fiercely capable Sherpa from Nepal. Edmund Hillary (1919–2008) and Tenzing Norgay (1914–1986) became global icons, not only for their conquest of Everest but for their humility, camaraderie, and lifelong dedication to humanitarian work in the Himalayas. The included autobiography, After Everest, offers a rare and deeply personal insight into Tenzing Norgay’s life—from his childhood in the Khumbu region to the historic climb and beyond. It complements his earlier work, Tiger of the Snows (1955), co-written with James Ramsay Ullman, and delves into the cultural, spiritual, and physical journey of a man who carried not only gear but the dreams of a people to the summit.

Rarity and Value:
The signed photograph by both Hillary and Norgay is an exceedingly rare collector’s item—especially as both signatures on a single piece have become increasingly scarce over time. Coupled with the first edition of After Everest, this lot becomes a highly valuable acquisition for collectors of exploration memorabilia, mountaineering heritage, and 20th-century history.

Discovery:
This collection originates from a private archive of mountaineering literature and ephemera. The photograph captures not just a historical event but a moment of triumph that resonated around the world—symbolizing the spirit of human endurance and the collaboration between two men from vastly different worlds united by a single goal.

Human Touch:
The ascent of Everest was not merely a physical achievement—it was a triumph of will, trust, and mutual respect. This lot encapsulates that spirit, from the firm signatures of two legendary men to the heartfelt words in Tenzing’s autobiography. Together, they offer a tangible connection to a story that continues to inspire generations. Whether displayed in a collector’s cabinet or studied for its historical significance, this pairing is a tribute to human courage and the enduring legacy of Hillary and Norgay.