The photography of American-born Jesse Alexander is synonymous with high-quality, pin-sharp focusing and superb composition. The latest book from David Bull Publishing features his colour and b/w prints from the 50s and 60s, all of which have the ‘just look at that...’ factor.

As the nights draw in and the leaves drop (with THAT season just around the corner), the thoughts of many classic car enthusiasts turn to quieter, more mellow times. The car is safely tucked away, logs are crackling in the hearth, there’s something nice on the stereo and a well-filled crystal glass lies conveniently to hand.

‘Inside the Archives’ is the perfect way to wind down after almost a year at the coalface, featuring, as it does, images taken during the truly great years of Formula One and sports-car racing in the 1950s and 60s.

Road cars are included, too, as Alexander’s trans-European travels brought him to Modena and Maranello. Here, the latest Italian GT could be observed either embarking on road trials, or in production, ‘under the hammer’ at Scaglietti’s coachbuilding company.

The quality of the reproduction, from clearly superb prints taken on top-notch equipment, is outstanding. Take the colour photograph on page 51 (above), for example. It shows the factory Aston Martin DBR2 at the 'Ring in 1958, yet could easily be from a recent historic meeting.

All the great men (Moss, Gregory, Frère, Phil Hill et al), races (Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps and the Targa Florio) and cars (250F, 250 GTO, ‘Birdcage’ Maserati and more) are featured in the 96-page, 11" x 13" hardback book.

The book (ISBN-13: 978-1-935007-10-4) is published by David Bull Publishing and priced at US$75.00 plus postage. There is also a signed-and-numbered 'Publisher’s Edition' - available at $250.00 - which is strictly limited to just 300 examples and includes a 11" x 13" Jesse Alexander print of a rainy practice session at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1965.

For further information, see www.bullpublishing.com.

Text Steve Wakefield
Photographs from ‘Inside the Archives’ by Jesse Alexander - All Strictly Copyright