Climbing Mt. Everest, from Aquila Books and Meridian Rare Books
- by Michael Stillman
Charles Morris' archive of 1922 and 1936 expeditions.
Item 46 is an archive of material compiled by Charles John Morris pertaining to the 1922 and 1936 ascents of the mountain. Morris participated in both. As noted, 1922 was the first serious attempt, while the 1936 expedition, the second led by Hugh Ruttledge, was the fourth major ascent. Morris' archive is notable mainly for its photographs. There are 186 photographs from the 1922 expedition, 403 from 1936. Fifteen of the images appeared in Ruttledge's account of the 1936 expedition. He, and many others from it, are portrayed in the photographs. Additionally, there are maps, postcards, and Morris' published accounts of the expeditions. £15,000 (US $22,864).
Item 94 is Hugh Ruttledge's account of his first expedition in 1933. Two climbers from this group came to within less than 1,000 feet of the top but were unable to find a climbable route. They did find the ice ax of Andrew Irvine, who along with Mallory, came very close to the top in 1924, but were lost in a squall likely still short of the peak. Mallory's body was later discovered, but not Irvine, only his ax. The title of Ruttledge's 1934 book is Everest 1933. £450 (US $685).
Item 160 is a copy of the official account of the first successful ascent: The Ascent of Everest, by John Hunt, published in 1953. Hunt was the leader of the expedition, though not one of the men who reached the top. That achievement fell to Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. This copy contains the ownership inscription of participant Michael Ward, while the flyleaf has been signed by Hunt, Hillary, Tenzing, Ward, Lowe, and others who participated in the expedition. £2,750 (US $4,191).
Item 159 is another copy of The Ascent of Everest, but this is one of just 20 that were specially bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, evidently to be given to a few people who contributed substantially to the expedition. This copy belonged to H. C. Drayton, who probably provided financial assistance. It has been signed by Hunt and Hillary. £5,000 (US $7,620).
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
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Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Francesco Colonna. Hypnerotomachie, Paris, 1546, Parisian calf by Wotton Binder C for Marcus Fugger. €200,000 to €300,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Nausea. De principiis dialectices Gorgias, and other works, Venice, 1523, morocco gilt for Cardinal Campeggio. €3,000 to €4,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Billon. Le fort inexpugnable de l'honneur, Paris, 1555, Parisian calf gilt for Peter Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld. €120,000 to €180,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Salinger, J.D. The Graham Family archive, including autographed letters, an inscribed Catcher, a rare studio photograph of the author, and more. $120,000 to $180,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of Sense and Sensibility, the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Massachusetts General Court. A powerful precursor to the Declaration of Independence: "every Act of Government … without the Consent of the People, is … Tyranny." $40,000 to $60,000.
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
![<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9a74d9ff-42dd-46a1-8bb2-b636c4cec796.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.")
