Across East African Glaciers. An Account of the First Ascent of Kilimanjaro - Dr. Hans Meyer, E. H. S. Caulder (translator) 1891 - George Philip &, London - First Edition in English A superb example of the first edition, in the publisher’s original and first state illustrated cover highlighting the snow in white and additional colour to the tents and clearing, described by Neate as ‘a most handsome volume’. With mounted chromolithographed frontispiece, three folding colour maps, eight mounted photographic plates, and twelve photogravures.

‘Hans Meyer was a geologist and experienced climber who made four trips to the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania, in 1887-1889 culminating in his successful ascent – the first undisputed summit of Kibo, 19,340 feet, the highest of the mountain's three peaks – in 1889.

In an earlier attempt, Meyer and his companion Oscar Baumann had the misfortune to arrive in the midst of an Arab revolt against German traders on the East African coast. They were captured and held hostage until a substantial ransom was paid.

Meyer's ultimate success has been attributed to his recognition that the greatest obstacle to achieving the summit was the lack of food in the upper regions. He brought a sizeable and well organised party and established several camps on the mountain, allowing him to make multiple attempts at the summit without descending to the base.

His lively and highly readable account of the expedition is arguably the most important work on African mountaineering.’ -
Walkabout Books.
  Translated from the German by E.H.S. Calder.

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, being over 2000’ higher than Mount Kenya, although the main peak Kibo is an easy, albeit laborious climb to 19,340 feet. It was attempted in 1884 by Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston, a British colonial administrator, Hans Meyer made the first ascent in 1889 with Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller, after a dispute over his first attempt in 1887. - Neate,
Mountaineering and its Literature.

Provenance: R. W. Burke with his signature dated 15th Feby. 1917’.

Reference: W R Neate,
Mountaineering and its Literature (14) 517.

Quarto (book size 29x19.4cm), pp. xx 404. In publisher’s pictorial cloth binding, lettered in gilt to spine and front panel, front panel with illustration in black and highlighted in white pink and yellow, bevelled edges, top edge gilt, olive green endpapers. This is the standard issue, there were also a de-luxe issue of 50 signed large-paper copies printed on Japanese vellum.
  Condition: Near fine, spine ends and corners with mild rubbing, gilt and illustrations to cloth slightly dulled, rear, inner joints starting.   Ref: 107529   Price: HK$ 40,000