moved by the action of glaciers, which must have arisen after the formation of the Alps since many of the blocks were mineralogically identical to rocks found in some Alpine peaks. Using the geological evidence he had gathered, Charpentier was able to refute other theories of the erratic blocks; nevertheless, when he introduced his glacier theory in a paper read in 1834, he was met with incredulity and scorn. Charpentier maintained his position, inviting others to visit him and see the evidence for themselves. One of these visitors was Agassiz, who became so enthusiastic over the Ice Age theory that he hastily wrote his Études sur les glaciers (1840, see item 5), rushing it into print shortly before Charpentier completed his own essay.


17. Coaz, J. Die Lavinen der Schweizeralpen. Bern: J. Dalp, 1881.


£225


First edition. 8vo. p. iv, 147; 5 folding tables, 8 engraved plates, illusts. to text, one folding map and three folding charts at rear; very good in contemporary cloth-backed papered boards, gilt, a little faded on spine.


Not in Wäber or Perret. Johann Wilhelm Fortunat Coaz (1822-1918) made several important first ascents in the Alps, including the Piz Bernina in 1850. He also undertook various researches in botany, meteorology, and avalanches, and the present work presents his findings both in terms of the


causes of avalanches, and surveys of events. The plates show the aftermath of several incidents, and the folding map offers an ‘avalanche-chart’ of the Gotthard region.


17


18. [Cole, S. A. C., Mrs. Henry.] A Lady’s Tour round Monte Rosa; with Visits to the Italian Valleys of Anzasca, Mastalone, Camasco, Sesia, Lys, Challant, Aosta, and Cogne. In a Series of Excursions in the Years 1850-56-58. London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1859.


£1,250


First edition. 8vo. pp. xi, 402, 32 (publishers’ catalogue, dated July 1865); 4 chromolithographs. inc. frontis., wood- engs. to text, one folding map; very good in the original blind-stamped cloth, gilt, sunned on spine.


Wäber 220; Neate C88; Meckly 51; Perret 1049 (“Rare”). Eliza Cole (1819-1877) was the wife of Alpine Club member Henry Cole, accompanying him on some of his excursions. Though she did not make any particularly difficult ascents, Mrs. Cole must be considered one of the earliest women climbers to visit the Alps. Her account is particularly scarce. The attractive chromolithographs that accompany the book were the work of George Barnard, “one of the first Alpine artists to draw mountains with any degree of accuracy” (Neate).


5


19. Collie, J. Norman. Climbing on the Himalaya and Other Mountain Ranges. Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1902.


£1,250


First edition. 8vo. pp. xi, 315, [1, ad.]; 18 photogravure plates, 3 folding maps; very clean and fine in the original green cloth, gilt, t.e.g., one or two minor marks, an exceptional copy.


Neate C94; Yakushi C133; Perret 1059. Collie, a one-time president of the Alpine Club (1920-2), accompanied Mummery on his ill-fated expedition to Nanga Parbat in 1895. Collie devotes the first third of this account of his climbs to the Himalaya, followed by sections on the Canadian Rockies, the Alps, and other European peaks.


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