The Story of Mont Blanc (First Edition)

First trade edition of Smith's account of his ascent of Mont Blanc, set in the context of the history of attempts to ascent the mountain. The book went through several reprintings by the latter 19th century, and the first edition has become scarce. Smith turned his story into a play that found extreme success through the 1850s.

First Edition. London: David Bogue, 1853. Slim 8vo. Original orange publisher's cloth. Pages: [ii, frontispiece], xii, 219, 8 pages of advertisements.

Bound in original orange publisher's cloth. Profusely decorated in patterned blind tooling to cover. Spine lettered and decorated in gilt. Edges uncut. Very good. Spine slightly darkened. One very small puncture to spine below titling. Contents in excellent condition. Some markings scattered throughout. Library bookplate for Royal Holloway College pasted to FBEP, with presentation plate from "Professor Sleeman, May 1942" on FFEP. Binder's sticker of Leighton Son & Hodge to lower RBEP.

Provenance: From the library of Warwick H. Williams.

This book is currently on display in the rare book section of our Paddington store.

If you would like more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact: [email protected]