The Ascent of Everest - (Hunt)
The Ascent of Everest
John Hunt
Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1953, First U.K. Edition. Octavo, original blue cloth, Gilt lettering. (xx), 300 pages, map, line drawings, 8 colour and 48 B&W photographs.John Hunt was expedition leader on the famous British first ascent of Everest team in 1953 and wrote this official account. Hunt’s book is quite common in New Zealand, but this First Edition comes with three quite uncommon autographs! Signed by: Sir Edmund Hillary; Tenzing Norgay and Norman Hardie. Three sought-after signatures, and Tenzing’s in particular is uncommon to Rare – he was illiterate but learned to sign his name. Tenzing did not sign many books, so signatures by the Everest First Ascent team, especially double-signed on the same page, are remarkably rare. It is dated 1971 when both appeared in Christchurch New Zealand on a lecture tour. New Zealander Norm Hardie (1955 first ascent of Kangchenjunga) notes that it was signed at his house, August 1971.
Dustjacket, Very Good Plus. $3,000