Smith (Albert). The story of Mont Blanc. London, David Bogue, 1853. In-12, publisher's ochre cloth binding, cold-stamped decoration on boards, smooth spine decorated with gilt title. First edition, illustrated with a lithographed and coloured frontispiece (Saussure's ascent) and 22 engravings in the text after William Beverley. Handwritten bookplate at the top of the title, dated 1 December 1853. Some foxing to title and frontispiece, otherwise fresh. A pencil annotation on page 132. This work is the first true monograph on Mont Blanc. It is one of the last manifestations of the "glacier" period and, through its popularity, contributed to the advent of a new generation of mountaineers. As a young man, Whymper had seen Albert Smith's Picadilly show on several occasions. A newspaper insert dated 18 July 1863 pasted on the flyleaf announces an ascent of Mont Blanc and the discovery of the bodies of the Hamel disaster on the Bossons glacier. A good copy of this unusual first edition and much sought-after work. Perret, 4074 - Neate S86 - Regards sur les Alpes 90A - Montagnier - Coolidge 165 - Rean p. 117