A Trilogy of Everest Books, "The Big Three" (First Editions)

Lot contains three volumes on Everest: Mount Everest: The Reconnaissance, 1921 by Lieut.-Col C. K. Howard-Bury; The Assault on Mount Everest: 1922 by Brigadier-General Hon. C. G. Bruce; The Fight for Everest: 1924 by Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. Norton.

A very good set of the trilogy recounting the unsuccessful British attempts to scale Mount Everest through the early 1920s. 

Mount Everest: The Reconnaissance, 1921.

First Australian Edition. Sydney: The Australasian Publishing Co., LTD. (London: Edward Arnold & Co.), 1922. 4to. Original navy blue publisher's cloth. Pages: x, 356.  Numerous illustrations and maps throughout, folding map at rear.

Bound in original dark blue publisher's cloth. Gilt titling to cover and spine. Cover margins ruled in blind. Edges uncut. Very good. Some silverfish damage to covers, mainly front cover. A touch of rubbing at edges and corners. Top corner mildly bumped. Gilt remains bright and bold. Contents in very good condition. Endpapers age toned. Some foxing here and there. Plates in fantastic condition, clean, bright, and bold. Original frontis tissue guard present. Previous owners inscription pencilled to upper FFEP. W. Williams and Berkelouw Booksellers stickers at lower. An overall attractive copy.

The Assault on Mount Everest: 1922.

First Edition. London: Edward Arnold & Co., 1923. 4to. Original burgundy publisher's cloth. Pages: x, 339. Advertisement for first book at rear. Numerous illustrations and maps throughout, folding map at rear.

Bound in original burgundy publisher's cloth. Gilt titling to cover and spine. Cover margins ruled in blind. Edges uncut. Introduction by Sir Francis Younghusband. Very good. Spine slightly sunned. A touch of rubbing to creases and at edges and corners. Upper foredge mildly bumped. Gilt remains bright and bold. Contents in very good condition. Endpapers age toned. Very few traced of foxing. Plates in fantastic condition, clean, bright, and bold. Original frontis tissue guard present. W. Williams inscription pencilled to upper FFEP as well as faded previous owner's. Small owner's stamp to lower FBEP. An overall excellently preserved copy. 

The Fight for Everest: 1924.

First Edition. London: Edward Arnold & Co., 1925. 4to. Original green publisher's cloth. Pages: xi, 372. Large coloured folding map at rear. Numerous illustrations and maps throughout.

Bound in original forest green publisher's cloth. Gilt titling to cover and spine. Cover margins ruled in blind. Edges uncut. Introduction by Sir Francis Younghusband. Very good. Spine loosened a touch. Mild rubbing at corners. Some markings on front cover. Cover board binding lifting somewhat. Some soiling at bottom inner corner of rear cover. Gilt remains bright and bold. Contents in excellent condition. Endpapers very mildly age toned. Plates in fantastic condition, clean, bright, and bold. Large folding map in near pristine condition. Original frontis tissue guard present. W. Williams ex-libris blind stamp to lower corner of title. 

Provenance: From the library of Warwick H. Williams.

Please note: This item is large and/or heavy. It may require additional postage costs to be paid. If so, we will contact you after purchase.

This book is currently not on display in store.

If you would like more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact: rarebooks@harryhartog.com.au