Oh yes. The first-ever rock climbing guidebook for the Needles Black Hills of South Dakota. Handmade and self-published by Herb Conn. Good luck finding one of these anywhere else. Nine pages, staple-bound. Cathedral Spires, Picket Fence, and Sylvan Lake areas covered. This is obviously a collectible more than a functional guidebook.
This copy is signed by Herb Conn on the cover, with the text "written in the mid 50's" printed in pen next to the signature. It is also signed by Jan Conn on an interior page map, next to the “Picket Fence”. Jan reportedly told Herb: “That’s the only kind of picket fence I want”, upon seeing the formation.
I have seen four copies of this guide-two at the AAC Library, one I sold from Steve Komito’s collection ($200), and this one. All have been slightly different. The content is the same, but the quality of the covers, the paper, and the text clarity varies. Likely it had a couple runs across the photocopier through the years.
