“A FEW MORE WHACKS OF THE ICE-AXE, A FEW VERY WEARY STEPS, AND WE WERE ON THE SUMMIT OF EVEREST”: HIGH ADVENTURE, SIGNED BY HILLARY

HILLARY, Edmund. High Adventure. London: Hodder & Stoughton, (1955). Octavo, original blue cloth, original dust jacket. $1300.

First edition of Hillary’s account of his life as a mountain-climber, signed on the half title by him.

"The Everest saga would now appear to be complete with this latest book—the story of the 1953 climb written by the man probably most responsible for the final hours of supreme effort which made the British expedition victorious" (New York Times, contemporary review). Illustrated with numerous maps, sketches and photographic plates. First-issue dust jacket, without Daily Mail blurb on front flap. Neate 369. Beneath Hillary's signature is a note in another hand: "Signed while in Wellington just before the start of Antarctic trip 1955-58." Gift inscription, owner signature.

Dust jacket with mild wear to spine ends and corners, spine slightly toned. A near-fine copy.