Very rare first edition of Whymper's mountaineering classic.

First Edition. London: John Murray, 1871. Thick 8vo. Re-backed green cloth. Pages: xviii, 432. 23 plates (1 folding), folding snow sample and 5 folding maps at rear, numerous vignettes throughout.

Re-backed with green cloth, retaining original spine strip, endpapers refreshed. Cover margins ruled in blind. Titling and patterning to spine in gilt. Edges uncut. Good. Covers somewhat weathered. Rubbing to corners. Original spine strip marked with faded gilt. Binding remains tight and sturdy. Contents near fine, very well preserved. Some markings here and there throughout. All contents present. Folding maps generally in excellent condition, some markings here and there. Minor tearing at the gutter joint of two maps.

True first printing of the first edition of one of the most important mountaineering books published. Whymper, already perhaps the most famous mountaineer of his time, became obsessed with the idea of making the first ascent of the Matterhorn. His attempt became known as the Disaster on the Matterhorn, and caused the deaths of four of his expedition companions. While the tragedy tempered his legacy, he remains a key figure of early mountaineering literature and his writings and lectures remain important to the historical record of the subject.

Full title: Scrambles Amongst The Alps in the Years 1860-'69.

Provenance: From the library of Warwick H. Williams.

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