* Rare* Freshfield & Sella The Exploration of the Caucasus 1st 2 Volumes 1896

Author: Douglas Freshfield (illustrated by Sella) 

Title: The Exploration of the Caucasus  

Publication:  First UK Edition 1st Impression Published By Edward Arnold London and New York 1896…………………. (See Pictures)

Condition Of Books: 
Two Volume Set In Very Good Condition,original two tone green cloth with Gilt titles to spines.Large Quarto’s in size.Illustrated with some wonderful photogravure plates by the famous Italian Photographer of Mountain Scenery.There are also 3 large fold out Panoramic views and 4 superb maps including a large folding map in great condition and housed in a pocket at the end of Volume Two.Nice clean copies internally,with clean outer boards that have bevelled edges and the top edge of the books are gilted and remain vibrant.Gilt panel designs are in nice order to the edges of both volumes.The Author Douglas Freshfield was a trained lawyer but also a very keen traveller and a mountaineer.In July 1867 he made the first ascent of the Tour Ronde.In the summer of 1868 he made an attempt on Elbrus with his Balkarian guide Akhia Sottev, and although they failed to reach the higher Western summit, Freshfield was the first foreigner to reach the Eastern Summit.Freshfield went onto to lead an exploration of the Caucasus and was the first man officially, to conquer Kazbek with guides from the village Gergeti.He conducted expeditions around Kangchenjunga and set out with his party to trek in a circle around Kangchenjunga from the North. When he arrived safely in at Dzongri, he lit a big bonfire, which could be seen from Darjeeling and the Governor of Bengal ordered a Gun Salute to be fired in his honour.He was also noted as the first mountaineer to examine the western face of Kangchenjunga.He was an active member of the Royal Geographical Society and the Alpine Club and served as President of both organizations and edited the Alpine Club Magazine for many years. He was also the first President of the Geographical Association for many years.He died in 1934.Large format Quarto’s Vol 1 278pp plus Vol 2 295pp First Editions 1896