DURIER (Charles). Le Mont-Blanc. Paris, Fischbacher, 1923. In-8°, bound in half-chagrin, spine ribbed, title gilt on spine, cover preserved (recent binding). New edition, the first to be updated and annotated by Joseph and Charles Vallot, illustrated with 16 plates and a fold-out map. The book tells the story of the conquest of Mont Blanc, the first ascents, the first accidents, the new routes, etc... This reference work on the history of Mont-Blanc is neither the first (those by Albert Smith and Stephen d'Arve preceded it), nor the best (the author plays down the role of Paccard in the 1st ascent of Mont-Blanc), but it is certainly the most famous and this version, revised by the Vallots, is much improved. Charles Durier (Paris 1830-1899), a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Justice, was passionate about botany and mineralogy. A skilled mountaineer, he climbed Mont Blanc in 1869. His book on Mont Blanc is the fruit of several years' research and work. He was elected president of the Club Alpin Français in 1895. His name was given to the refuge-bivouac on the Col de Miage and his bust was erected in Chamonix. Also included: - VALLOT (Charles): Description générale du massif du Mont-Blanc. Paris, Fischbacher, 1925. In-8°, publisher's percaline binding. First edition, illustrated with 82 plates and hors-texte drawings (including 9 on double page) and 1 large fold-out map in colour. A descriptive work on the Mont-Blanc massif and its environment: - section I: Historical overview of the Mont-Blanc massif - section II: geographical overview of the Mont-Blanc massif - section III: overview of the geology of the Mont-Blanc massif and the Aiguilles Rouges mountains - section IV : Paleology of the central regions of the Mont-Blanc massif - section V : Glaciers. Formation, movements and history - section VI : Notice on the Mont-Blanc observatories - section VII : Studies on the vegetation of the Chamonix valley - section VIII : Studies on the climatology of the Chamonix valley Some chapters were written by J. Vallot, L.W. Collet, G. Bonnier, L. de Chabanole and M. Namur-Vallot. Autograph bookplate of Paul Gayet, signed below Samivel, on the flyleaf. Ex-libris Piero Nava on the flyleaf. Charles Vallot is the son of Henri Vallot. He was a great cartographer, and was behind the creation of the famous Vallot guide, which describes in detail all excursions in the Mont Blanc massif and is a reference work.