A wonderful wartime volume on the great figures of British mountaineering, written by celebrated climber and author Frank Smythe. Published by Collins in 1942, it is illustrated with eight colour plates and twenty-two illustrations in black and white.

Smythe was one of the leading British mountaineers of the interwar period, known particularly for his Himalayan expeditions and his pioneering climbs in the Alps. British Mountaineers looks back at the climbers who shaped the sport, making this a lovely piece of British climbing history in its own right.

This copy retains its original turquoise dust jacket, with wonderfully bold period typography and a mountaineer’s ice axe and rope to the front. The jacket has certainly travelled a little, with rubbing and losses around the edges and spine, but its survival gives the book considerable charm. There is some foxing internally, visible particularly around the opening pages.

A brilliant present for a climber, walker or lover of the British mountains, and the sort of old book that feels especially good wrapped up beneath the tree.

Author: F. S. Smythe

Title: British Mountaineers

Publisher: Collins, 14 St James’s Place, London

Date: 1942

Illustrations: 8 colour plates and 22 black-and-white illustrations

Binding: Hardback with original illustrated dust jacket

Condition: Good vintage condition. The original dust jacket shows considerable age-related wear, with rubbing, creasing, small tears and losses to the edges and spine. Foxing and age-toning are present internally, particularly to the endpapers and preliminary leaves. Please refer to photographs for condition.