"THE MOUNTAIN GROWS MORE AND MORE ALIVE": GUIDO REY'S THE MATTERHORN, WITH 35 LOVELY PLATES, BEAUTIFULLY BOUND

REY, Guido. The Matterhorn. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1907. Large, thick quarto, modern full red morocco, front cover and spine gilt-decorated with multi-colored morocco onlays, raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, silk pastedowns, uncut. $2200.

First edition of Italian mountaineer, photographer, and artist Guido Rey's account of his and other climbers' experiences on the Matterhorn, richly illustrated with 35 plates, including 14 mounted lithographs of drawings by Edoardo Rubino and 11 photographs of the mountain by Rey, beautifully bound.

"Guido Rey's adventures as a mountaineer led to his photographic career. In 1893, following several successful climbs and a book about his mountain-climbing experiences, he began to photograph mountain peaks, earning a silver medal from the Italian Alpine Club… Called "without a doubt the best Italian art photographer" by a contemporary… Alfred Stieglitz published his photographs in the influential journal Camera Work in 1908" (J. Paul Getty Museum). The present work includes 11 photographic plates after photographs made by Rey. With foreword by Rey's friend, renowned travel writer Edmondo de Amicis. There was also a deluxe limited edition produced by T. Fisher Unwin of only 15 copies with an extra suite of the plates printed on vellum. Owner signature dated 1908.

A handsomely bound volume in fine condition.