THE ASCENT OF EVEREST, SIGNED BY SIR EDMUND HILLARY AND 29 OTHER “EVERESTERS”

HUNT, John. The Ascent of Everest. (London): Hodder and Stoughton, (1953). Octavo, original blue cloth, original dust jacket. $7000.

First edition, signed by Sir Edmund Hillary and 29 other Everest climbers on the dedication and title pages. 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 in one month by Sir John Hunt, the leader of the expedition, in order to satisfy the immediate 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. Neate 393. This copy has been signed by Jeff Lowe, Dick Bass, Bradford Washburn, Nawang Gombu, Reinhold Messner, Maurice Herzog, Carlos Buhler, Adrian Burgess, Paul Petzoldt, David Breashears, Edmund Hillary, Kurt Diemburger, Jim Wickshire, Jamling Tenzig Norgay, Babu Chiri Sherpa, Henry Barber, Lou Whittaker, Ed Viesturs, Chris Bonington, Vernon Tejas, Pete Athans, Jon Krakauer, Lene Gammelgaard, Tom Frost, Galen Rowell, Norman Dyrenfurth, Rick Ridgeway, Tom Hornbein, Jim Whittaker (twice) and Conrad Anker. A guide to the signatures is laid in. Small dealer booklabel on rear pastedown.

Light wear to cloth, dust jacket with toning to spine, mild rubbing to extremities. An extremely good copy.