VINTAGE MOUNTAINEERING BOOK, SCRAMBLES AMONGST THE ALPS IN THE YEARS 1860-69, EDWARD WHYMPER,
VINTAGE MOUNTAINEERING BOOK, SCRAMBLES AMONGST THE ALPS IN THE YEARS 1860-69, EDWARD WHYMPER,
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VINTAGE MOUNTAINEERING BOOK, SCRAMBLES AMONGST THE ALPS IN THE YEARS 1860-69, EDWARD WHYMPER, JOHN MURRAY.
A first edition, Fourth Thousand, of 'SCRAMBLES AMONGST THE ALPS IN THE YEARS 1860-69' by Edward Whymper and published by John Murray, 1871. The book is in very good condition with five maps to the rear and many illustrations. There is a small amount of foxing and half a page is missing at the rear of a the book which is a diagram of the vertical section of the snow on the summit of the Col De Valpelline. The book has a red leather spine and cover with gilt decoration. The spine has the gilt title 'SCRAMBLES AMONGST THE ALPS IN THE YEARS 1860-69' on a black leather background and the cover has the words 'Sidcot School Founded. A.D. 1808.' within a gilt belt and buckle. On the inside is a paper label inscribed 'Frederick G. Marriage, a Prize, for industry in school, 1875'.
Scrambles Amongst the Alps is an insight into the history of early climbing and climbing techniques described and illustrated by Whymper himself. It concentrates on the nine years he spent climbing in the Alps, much of it on the seven failed attempts at the Matterhorn and on the successful eighth attempt, becoming the first man to reach the summit on July 14, 1865. Although successful in the ascent the descent was hit by tragedy when four men died, one member of the party slipped pulling down three more (all four fell to their deaths), Whymper and two guides only survived because the rope broke. On page 408 of the book Whymper finishes the chapter with this famous caution:
Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end.
Whymper abandoned climbing in the Alps after the Matterhorn accident, but did continue to climb elsewhere.
Edward Whymper was born in 1840 in London and died 1911 in Chamonix, France. He was privately educated and entered his father's wood engraving business. In 1860 he was sent to Switzerland to make sketches for a book on the Alps and became a mountaineer thereafter.
Dimensions:
1871
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, Whymper and two guides only survived because the rope broke. On page 408 of the book Whymper finishes the chapter with this famous caution:Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end.Whymper abandoned climbing in the Alps after the Matterhorn accident, but did continue to climb elsewhere.Edward Whymper was born in 1840 in London and died 1911 in Chamonix, France. He was privately educated and entered his father's wood engraving business. In 1860 he was sent to Switzerland to make sketches for a book on the Alps and became a mountaineer thereafter.){kind=link}