A Survey of Early American Ascents in the Alps in the Nineteenth Century. By J. Monrie Thorington, President of the American Alpine Club. Published by the American Alpine Club (funny how that works), 1943.
A pretty specialized research tool for those interested in the history of very early American climbs in the Alps. This is from the age where everybody's got an impressive mustache, wears only formal suits or skirts, and the modern ice-axe had yet to be invented: these guys climbed using alpenstocks, a traditional shepherd's tool. This book references back to reports of climbs in the American Alpine Journal or the Alpine Journal (UK), but also incorporates a good deal of personal research conducted by Thorington, including following up with the descendants of the climbers for photos, documents, etc.
A slim hardcover volume without dust jacket. 83 pages with many reproductions of portraits (of the climbers) and sketches (depicting the climbs. Some weakness to top of spine and some spotting on spines (possibly from water), but both copies are overall in good vintage condition with bindings intact and pages bright & unmarked.
