THE EVEREST TRILOGY: THE RECONNAISSANCE, THE ASSAULT, AND THE FIGHT FOR EVEREST, 1922-25—"THEY FORM A VERY HANDSOME RECORD OF THE COURAGE AND DARING OF THE EARLY EVERESTERS"

(EVEREST) HOWARD-BURY, C.K.; BRUCE, C.G.; NORTON, E.F. Mount Everest: The Reconnaissance, 1921. WITH: The Assault on Mount Everest, 1922. WITH: The Fight for Everest: 1924. London: Edward Arnold, 1922, 1923, 1925. Together, three volumes. Large octavo, original blue, maroon, and green cloth. $2800.

First editions of these important books on the pioneering British reconnaissance and first attempts to summit Everest, chronicling the progress and the difficulties faced by the expeditions of 1921, 1922, and 1924—including the tragic disappearance of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine during their 1924 attempt to summit Everest—each volume illustrated with large folding maps and photographic plates.

"They form a very handsome record of the courage and daring of the early Everesters" (Neate). Howard-Bury led the first official British expedition to Everest, along the way discovering critical northern approaches to the mountain. George Mallory took part in all three expeditions. It was during the 1924 third expedition that Mallory and his climbing partner Andrew Irvine made their last, controversial attack on the summit, only to disappear in a storm at 28,000 feet. Their attempt is documented in this volume by N.E. Odell, who from afar watched their progress towards the summit. "Odell's vigil at 27,000 feet waiting for the return of his friends is one of the greatest episodes in mountaineering history" (Francis Farquar). (Mallory's body was not discovered until 1999.). Reconnaissance includes three large folding maps printed in color and 33 photographic plates; Assault includes two folding maps and 33 photographic plates; Fight includes a large folding map printed in color and 32 photographic plates, eight of which are in color. Neate 387; 124; 573. Owner ink signature in Assault.

Interiors bright and fine, original cloth bindings with only occasional minor expert restoration. Overall a desirable set.