Peaks and Precipices

Description

Published by T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1914, 1st UK Edition, re-cased keeping original pictorial boards and spine, top edge gilt, cloth dull and a few marks, with 76 black-and-white illustrations, Good.   Guido Rey (1861-1935) was an Italian writer, photographer and mountaineer.  He wrote 2 significant mountaineering books, The Matterhorn published in 1907 (“One of the principal books on the early history of the Matterhorn, written by a wealthy Italian climber with a great passion for the mountain” – Neate), and the current volume published in 1914.  Amongst his achievements are the first ascent of the Furggen Ridge on the Matterhorn (though some dubious tactics were used!), the first Italian ascent of the Meije, a new route on Monte Rosa, and notable ascents on the French side of Mont Blanc including the Grepon, Grands Charmoz, Petit Dru and Aiguille Verte.  In the 1910s, he concentrated on the Dolomites, particularly the Catinaccio area, the Vajolet Towers, south face of the Marmolada and the Tofana di Rozes – the current volume being the result of these adventures.