SIGNED BY SIR EDMUND HILLARY AND SIR JOHN HUNT

(HILLARY, Edmund) HUNT, John. The Ascent of Everest. (London): Hodder and Stoughton, (1953). Octavo, original blue cloth, original dust jacket. $2800.

First edition of this account of the 1953 British conquest of Everest, boldly signed on the title page by Edmund Hillary and expedition leader John Hunt. With eight color photographic plates, 48 half-tone plates and a number of in-text illustrations after pen-and-ink sketches.

The 1953 British Expedition to Mount Everest was the eighth in 30 years to attempt Everest. On May 29th, 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay at last stood at the summit; it was a culminating moment in mountaineering history, and one of the great achievements of human stamina and will. The Ascent of Everest was written by Sir John Hunt, the leader of the expedition, in one month to satisfy the great demand around the world for the story of the British team's success. Chapter 16 is Sir Edmund Hillary's stirring account of the final part of the climb, and the appendices are by members of the expedition. With dust jacket design by W. Heaton Cooper. Neate 393. Owner signature excised from upper corner of front free endpaper.

Expert repair to inner paper hinges, book near-fine. Dust jacket bright and clean, much nicer than typically found, about-fine. A lovely copy, scarce and desirable signed by both Hillary and Hunt.