Sleeping Beauties by Herbert W. Hesselmann; Halwart Schrader. Published by Editions Olms AG 2007. Hardcover met stofomslag. ISBN 9783283005498. Hardcover met stofomslag. Engelstalig en Duitstalig. Pages 163. 'We didn't move from our spot for minutes and let the unreality of the scenery in the midday silence take effect on us.' A million-dollar treasure in dust and wild growth, in rust and mud and shards, captured as a photo-aesthetic masterpiece. In the 1980s, Herbert W. Hesselmann succeeded in capturing the morbid charm of a unique collection of classic cars. At the time, he promised the owner that he would never reveal the name or location. But the story and the pictures went around the world and caused an outcry in the scene. The horror at the obvious neglect of the rare vehicles weighed heavily. Hesselmann's 'Sleeping Beauties' also triggered a kind of gold rush. From then on, automobile treasure hunters scoured old barns and walls all over the world in search of a comparable find - although no one was ever able to find something of this spectacular magnitude again. 'Sleeping Beauties' are now a fixed, romantic term for every classic car fan. What was once insulted as neglected is now celebrated as 'original' or 'patinated'. Rust has become socially acceptable. Thirty years after the scandal, we look at Herbert W. Hesselmann's photos with different eyes and are happy that he captured this unique moment for all time.