The Valley of Zermatt and the Matterhorn: A Guide

London: John Murray, 1904 . Paperback. Good. 7.5" by 5". Not Stated. A scarce copy of Edward Whymper's guide to Zermatt and the Matterhorn, profusely illustrated and with folding maps of the region. Bound in the publisher's original paper wraps.Eighth edition. Written by mountaineer, explorer and author Edward Whymper, best known as part of the team who ascended the Matterhorn in 1865. Whymper spent a lot of his time travelling and living in other countries, spending the last of his days in Chamonix. This work explores the history of Zermatt and the Matterhorn, an area along the Alps between Switzerland and Italy. Whymper relays the difficulties faced when climbing Mont Blanc, including the stories behind the crew-members who did not survive the expedition. Illustrated with seventy-eight vignettes, full-page and folding illustrations, including three folding maps of the region. Collated, complete. With forty-four pages of publisher's advertisements, divided between the front and the rear of the work. In the publisher's original paper wraps. Externally, a little worn, with offsetting to the extremities and light edge wear. The spine has split vertically between pages 207-8 and beginning to split between pages 64-5. A little loss to the backstrip at the head and tail of the spine. Internally, generally firmly bound, although tender between 207-8 and 64-5. Pages bright and clean, with the odd handling mark. Good