GNIFETTI (Giovanni). Nozioni topografiche del Monte Rosa ed ascensioni su di esso by Giovanni Gnifetti, paroco d'Alagna. Turin, Marzorati, 1845. In-8°, paperback, printed cover. First edition, particularly rare. In 64 pages, the author describes the Monte Rosa massif, recounts the first ascents by Vincent and Zumstein, his own attempts and the first ascent of the Signalkuppe on Monte Rosa, one of the key events in early mountaineering. He concludes his book with some advice for those wishing to venture onto the glaciers of Mont Rose: "1° choose a period of good, stable weather; 2° the most favourable season for the ascent begins at the end of July and lasts throughout August, provided there is no snowfall; 3° be free of illness and infirmities, but on the contrary endowed with uncommon robustness and energy; 4° don't hesitate to call on Alagna's guides, who are courageous, experienced and competent, and whose prices are gentle and honest. " Ex-libris glued to the back cover. Giovanni Gnifetti (Alagna 1801 - Saint-Etienne 1867) was ordained a priest in 1823 and appointed vicar of Alagna, in the Valsesia region, then parish priest in 1834. After several attempts to climb Monte Rosa via its southern slope, he and his companions reached the summit of the Signalkuppe (known in Italy as Punta Gnifetti) on 9 August 1842. Admittedly, this 4,554 m peak was not the highest in the Monte Rosa group, but it was an important step in the conquest of the second summit of the Alps, which was not completed until 1855 with the ascent of Pointe Dufour (4,634 m) by Charles Hudson's caravan from Zermatt. Giovanni Gnifetti played an important role in promoting tourism in his valley. He died of a sudden illness while visiting former parishioners in France who had emigrated to Lyon and Saint-Etienne (see Giovanni Gnifetti e la conquista della Signalkuppe, by E. Farinetti and P. P. Viazzo, published by Zeisciu, 1992). Perret, 1960 - Regards sur les Alpes 62 - CAI p. 53 - CAS p. 416 - not in ACL