This is the 1974 original first printing of the first UK edition of THE GREAT DAYS by Walter Bonatti. It was published in London by Victor Gollancz Ltd in 1974. The book measures 221mm tall x 173mm, and has 189 pages, 37 b/w photos, index. Bonatti’s second climbing autobiography—with poignant commentary on state and meaning of climbing—from 1961 until his retirement from climbing. Includes Central Pillar of Fresnay tragedy, N. wall of Eiger, winter ascent Walker Spur Grandes Jorasses, first ascent Whymper Spur Grandes Jorasses, & the N. Face Matterhorn solo in winter. Minor amount of psycho-babble, probably from encounters with Reinhold Messner (Bonatti dedicated this book to Messner) and from having recently endured the unsuccessfully abnegated narcissism of the late 1960s & early 1970s. The first UK printing of this book seems to be less common than the first UK printing of ON THE HEIGHTS. Probably, the publisher of THE GREAT DAYS started with a small first printing, not being certain about demand for the book. There was demand for it, and the first UK edition of this book was reprinted three times. The first UK edition of ON THE HEIGHTS was printed only once in hardcover, followed by a paperback printing.
CONDITION: Original textured blue boards, spine lettered in gilt. Original dust jacket (surface flecking tip of outside upper front corner, no chips, no tears, price-clipped flap corner, clean). The book has clean covers, no rubbing, tight binding, no previous owner marks or writing on any pages, no foxing, overall quite nice condition. Price: $250.
