THE LAST EYE WITNESS
Arthur Brisbane maintained in 1911 that “a picture is worth 1000 words”, and this wonderful new book is the perfect case in point. No matter how faithful reports are of motor racing before WW1, nothing matches a contemporary photograph. Most famous are the limited number of shots taken by Jacques-Henri Lartigue, but for a more complete view the brilliant work of the lesser-known Maurice-Louis Branger is second only to a time machine. Now, at last, there is book published by Philip Porter’s team that does full justice to this French master.
Historian Doug Nye, who has long wanted to publish a tribute to Branger, is the force behind The last eye witness, but full credit to Porter Press for funding its publication. Doug has selected 160 images from Branger’s 800-plate negative archive, of which he has been the caretaker since the passing of his old chum Geoff Goddard. This large, landscape-format book opens with some background and Branger’s biography, before the main photographic content. As well as Doug’s circuit introductions and extensive captions, each event featured includes maps, drawn by Wayne Batty, of races such as Paris-Vienna, Paris-Madrid, Le Mans, Ardennes, Dieppe, Rambouillet and Lyons-Givors. Designer Martin Port has done a masterful job of preparing these early images with hours of retouching. Sensitive reproduction was demanded for the illustrations, but Martin and printer Gomer Press have done Branger proud.
Right from the epic 1912 cover shot of Louis Wagner’s 14-litre Fiat S74 roaring along one of the long straights on the Dieppe course, which was a particular favourite of Branger, the range of compositions brings this heroic era vividly to life. The clarity of the car studies will be an important reference for restorers, but it’s the characters and locations that really crystallise that time.
In this age of lightweight mirrorless SLR cameras with unlimited photo storage, it’s hard to imagine the challenge for Branger, with his cumbersome early equipment and sensitised glass plates in a special light-proof case that added significant weight. Photo opportunities during the race were usually limited to a dozen shots.
The sharp resolution of the work is often mindblowing. Combined with Branger’s great eye for composition and dramatic characters, it’s easy to get absorbed in the atmosphere. As well as the famous aces, from Camille Jenatzy to Paul Bablot, Branger also covered hillclimbs and voiturette events. Among the many wonderful images is a 1903 p
