We personally obtained the Hillary signature in person in one of our several meetings with Edmund Hillary over the past twenty-five years. The Ward signature is on the front free endpaper, and is authentic, as we have personally seen his signature in other books and can authenticate it. Hillary signed on the title page as Ed Hillary.

 

Michael Ward was the team doctor on the first ascent, and wrote several books on mountaineering, including a huge Everest history that came out only ten years ago. His signature is rarely found in expedition books, except for those signed at the team's reunions, as he appeared to have not lectured at mountaineering events as much as some other team members such as Hillary, Hunt, Lowe and now George Band, who is still only 82 years old (2011). Ward's signature is on the front free endpaper. There is also a previous owner's name written in small ink letters at the top corner, "P. Helen Con March 1954".