This is the expanded second edition of A L'ASSAUT DES "QUATRE MILLE." DIX RECITS DE HAUTE MONTAGNE SUIVIS DE "ALTITUDE 8600" OU L'HOMME LE PLUS HAUT DU MONDE by Raymond Lambert. This book was published in Genève by Jeheber in 1953. This is the second edition of the book. This second edition contains a new chapter on Lambert's Everest climb that is not included in the first edition which has no Everest content. The second edition is less common than the first edition, likely being issued mainly to capitalize on Lambert's publicity regarding the two Swiss Everest expeditions. This example has been inscribed and signed by Raymond Lambert on the short title page. Lambert-signed examples of this edition with the Everest content are very uncommon, very much less common than books signed by Tenzing Norgay. Lambert's signature is probably the least common of the pioneers of the Khumbu route on Everest. He is, along with Tenzing, the main pioneer of the route. The book measures 224mm tall x 157mm, and has 234 pages, 22 b/w photos. Text in french, no english edition. This second edition of Lambert’s book is better than the first edition since it has been updated to include a 20 page chapter on Lambert’s summit attempt on Everest in 1952 with Tenzing Norgay. They came close to reaching the South Summit, but wind and cold forced them to retreat. This book describes Lambert’s major climbs in the Alps: L’Aiguille Vert, Mont Blanc, Grandes Jorasses, N Face Petit Dru, S Ridge Aiguille Noire de Peuterey, Aiguilles du Diable, Crocodile, Central Spur of N face Droites, the miserable and devastating first winter traverse of the Aiguilles du Diable where both Lambert and Marcel Gallay lost parts of their feet to frostbite. Lambert often had women climbers as ropemates, and many of the climbs were first woman ascents, including several very difficult routes. Among his woman climbing partners were Kogan, Boullaz, d’Albertas, and Stagni.
CONDITION: Original white wrappers with black lettering front & spine with colored dust jacket. The dust jacket is in nice condition, much better than usual for this book: no chips, no tears, clean. The book is in fine condition with no foxing, tight binding, penned gift inscription on front free endpage that corresponds to the inscription by Lambert, no other marks or writing in the book, a very collectible example of the book. Price: $850.
