London, Unwin, 1922, 1st edition. 291 pp, 23 b/w plates. Original blue cloth hardcover with embossed cover text and design of an ice axe and rope, gold spine letters bright. Cover has light soiling, corners slightly bumped, but little edge wear. Very clean internally with no writing, no foxing and no dust jacket. Bookplate at front (see below). Very Good condition.
There is a book plate inside the front cover. This book was a first prize presentation copy to W.D. Smith at County High School for Boys in Altrincham and appears to have been produced for this purpose as there's a gold embossed school stamp on the rear cover. Book has some soiling, foxing and wear, but is in Very Good reading condition.
New Zealand first ascents including a new route on Mt Cook and Mt Tutuko. Narratives of climbs in the New Zealand Alps between 1912 and 1921. Many illustrations.
For the majority of these ascents Turner was accompanied by the leading guides of the day, including Peter Graham, Frank Milne and Conrad Kain. Openly criticized in mountaineering literature for exaggerating his achievements and stature, Turner may have been an egotist, but his actions speak loudly.
From the Spectator Archive 1922:
"Mr. Turner is not an engaging writer, but he is an enthusiastic and experienced climber, and his account of numerous expeditions to Mount Cook and other high mountains in New Zealand is well worth reading. The photographs are numerous and excellent. Mr. Turner points out that Mount Cook, 12,349 feet high, is a mightier mountain than any of the Alps, if judged by the height of its three summits above the valley [and its severe weather.] The Government Tourist Department does a good deal for climbers, but there is doubtless more scope for individual enterprise in the New Zealand Alps than in Switzerland."
