BOURRIT (Marc-Théodore). Description des aspects du Mont-Blanc du côté de la Val-d'Aost, des glacières qui en descendent, de l'Allée-Blanche, de Courmayeur, de la cité d'Aoust, des Marons ou Crétins, du Grand St. Bernard, des Réservoirs d'eau immenses au milieu des glaces, & de la découverte de la Mortine. Lausanne, Société typographique, 1776. In-8, half vellum with corners, smooth spine with title page, untrimmed (contemporary binding). First edition of this first work devoted to the Italian side of the Mont Blanc range. It is illustrated with a fold-out table. An account of the author's excursions around Mont Blanc in 1773, 1774 and 1775. The last chapter recounts the author's first ascent of Le Buet from Vallorcine in 1775 (the summit had already been reached by the Deluc brothers in 1770 from Sixt). Marc-Théodore Bourrit (1739-1819), traveller, publicist, painter and engraver, is considered one of the pioneers of Alpine exploration and mountaineering, alongside Horace-Bénédict de Saussure and Jean-André Deluc. Although he had far less financial means than the latter, his talent as a painter enabled him to compose and illustrate a series of works on the Mont-Blanc massif and the Valais, which today constitute essential testimonies. Perret, 0657 - Meckly 030 - ACL p. 41 - CAS p. 463 - CAI p. 19