Who is Reinhold Messner?

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Who is Reinhold Messner?

People are saying that an experienced young Gym Climber asked the question: Who is Reinhold Messner?
Well, I just had to provide an answer. The easiest way was to quote from an email to me by Michael Chessler, and here it is! --Webmeister Speik

BOOKS SIGNED BY REINHOLD MESSNER AND PETER HABELER

Dear Bob,
This week we went to Europe to complete a four year project, getting all the books of Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler signed by those two immortal climbers. (This was our 7th foreign trip in the last two years to get books autographed!)

Reinhold Messner’s climbing accomplishments, especially his ascent of all 14 of the 8000 meter peaks have made him the world’s greatest climber. What has also become evident is that he is history’s greatest mountaineering author, having written over 60 books in 35 years. About twenty titles have been translated into English and all of those are listed below, including several that are quite scarce.

Quantities are limited on most titles - we usually have one to ten of each. The only titles of which we have many of are ALL 14 EIGHT THOUSANDERS, and the new edition of BIG WALLS which are signed by Messner and Habeler, and have priced them a little lower. In some cases we have both UK and USA editions and when they are identical, we will ship whichever copy looks better.
Michael Chessler

E-mail is info@chesslerbooks.com
Phone is 800 654-8502
Website is www.chesslerbooks.com

13 SPIEGEL MEINER SEELE. [13 MIRRORS OF MY SOUL]
Messner, Reinhold. Munchen, 1994, 1st edition 320 pp, color photos. In German. This discusses many aspects of Reinhold’s life, including his castle, museum, Tibetan Art collection, etc. Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $95 BK1011

3 X 8000: MEIN GROSSES HIMALAJA-JAHR. [3 X 8000: MY GREAT YEAR IN THE HIMALAYA].
Messner, Reinhold. Mnchen, 1983, 1st edition. 159 pp, 100’s of photos. In German. Messner’s big Himalayan year was 1982; he climbed Kangchenjunga, Gasherbrum II, Broad Peak and attempted Cho Oyu. Larger hardcover, DJ, Fine. $150 BK632

ALL FOURTEEN EIGHT-THOUSANDERS
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle or London, 1988, 1st edition. 248 pp, 113 color photos, maps. Messner’s ascents of the 14 8,000-meter peaks, without oxygen and many solo, is the greatest mountaineering feat of all time. In addition to the stories, this book is a reference for the history and routes of the 8000 meter peaks. Large-format hardcover, New condition with dust jacket. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. $250 BK1014A

ALL FOURTEEN EIGHT-THOUSANDERS
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle or London, 1988, 1st edition. 248 pp, 113 color photos, maps. Messner’s ascents of the 14 8,000-meter peaks, without oxygen and many solo, is the greatest mountaineering feat of all time. In addition to the stories, this book is a reference for the history and routes of the 8000 meter peaks. Large-format hardcover, New condition with dust jacket.
SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $200 BK1014B

ALL FOURTEEN EIGHT-THOUSANDERS
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle, 1999 [1988], new 3rd edition. 248 pp, 113 color photos, maps. Messner’s ascents of the 14 8,000-meter peaks, without oxygen and many solo, is the greatest mountaineering feat of all time. In addition to the stories, this book is a reference for the history and routes of the 8000 meter peaks. Large-format hardcover, New condition with dust jacket.
SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $85 BK1013

ALLE MEINE GIPFEL [ALL MY PEAKS]
Messner, Reinhold. Germany, 1982, 1st edition. 200 pp, 200+ color photos, maps. In German. A complete summing up of Reinhold’s climbs, from his first peak in 1950 to all his achievements, not just the 8000’s. This book has had three different editions, getting updated every ten years. In some ways it is an essential book about Reinhold, listing all the climbs under 8000 meters on all continents. This will not get translated. Large format hardcover. DJ, Fine. $150 BK1015A

ALLE MEINE GIPFEL [ALL MY PEAKS]
Messner, Reinhold. Germany, 1993, 2nd edition. 240 pp, 200+ color photos, maps. In German. A complete summing up of Reinhold’s climbs, from his first peak in 1950 to all his achievements, not just the 8000’s. This book has had three different editions, getting updated every ten years. In some ways it is an essential book about Reinhold, listing all the climbs under 8000 meters on all continents. This will not get translated. Large format hardcover. DJ, Fine. $100 BK1015A

ALLE MEINE GIPFEL [ALL MY PEAKS]
Messner, Reinhold. Germany, 2001, 3rd edition. 255 pp, 200+ color photos, maps. In German. A complete summing up of Reinhold’s climbs, from his first peak in 1950 to all his achievements, not just the 8000’s. This book has had three different editions, getting updated every ten years. In some ways it is an essential book about Reinhold, listing all the climbs under 8000 meters on all continents. This will not get translated. Large format hardcover. DJ, as New. $100 BK1015A

ANNAPURNA: 50 YEARS OF EXPEDITIONS IN THE DEATH ZONE
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle, 2000, 1st edition. 173 pp, 44 color, 55 b/w photos. After Herzog and Lachenal’s first ascent in 1950, Annapurna has been the scene of many mountaineering epics, including Messner’s own first ascent of the Northwest Face. Here is the peak’s complete history. DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner! $85 BK1017

ANTARCTICA: BOTH HEAVEN AND HELL
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle, 1991, 1st edition. 136 b/w, 24 color photos. Messner’s 1800 mile, 92 day crossing of Antarctica by skis in 1990. Battling -40c temperatures and 100mph winds, Messner and Arved Fuchs wrote their way into Antarctic history. Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $85 BK1044

BERGE [MOUNTAINS]
Messner, Reinhold. Milano, 2002, 1st edition. 192 pp, 137 color photos. In German. A large format pictorial celebration of the mountains Messner has climbed and visited in the last 40 years. Large hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 OP633

DIE ALPEN, LES ALPES, THE ALPS
Messner, Reinhold. Germany, 1987, 1st edition. 205 pp, color photos. Large- format photos and description of the Alps. This book is in English, German and French, but never had any sales in the USA or UK so is quite uncommon outside Germany. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. Fine. $100 OP634

DIE ROTE RAKETE AM NANGA PARBAT [RED ROCKET ON NANGA PARBAT]
Messner, Reinhold. Munchen, 1971, 1st edition. 223 pp, 58 color and b/w photos. In German. This is Messner’s first and scarcest book, and the book has a long story. This is only the second copy we have ever had. In this, Messner’s first Himalayan climb, Messner and his brother Gunther climbed Nanga Parbat and descended another route, with Gunther dying on the descent. This book sparked controversy from the beginning, as Messner accused the expedition leader, Karl Herrligkoffer, of incompetence, and Herrligkoffer sued Messner and won, causing this book to be withdrawn from the bookshops and most copies destroyed! The controversy has surfaced again as new accusations are swirling around, as Messner has recently written a new Nanga Parbat book (we have signed copies), and his old team mates have written their own books with different versions of the events of 1970. Messner describes his ascent of Nanga Parbat and the loss of his brother Gunther on the peak. Due to a lawsuit by the expedition leader Karl Herrligkoffer the book was withdrawn and copies are very scarce. This copy is Ex lib, has a clear plastic laminate on the cover, no DJ and some internal rubber stamps. But it is solid, in over VG or better condition, and SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. Our last copy went for $1500. $750 OP418

DIE WEISSE EINSAMKEIT: MEIN LANGER WEG ZUM NANGA PARBAT. [THE WHITE SOLITUDE: MY LENGTHY JOURNEY ON NANGA PARBAT]
Messner, Reinhold. Munchen, 2003, 1st edition. 351 pp, many photos. In German. Nanga Parbat has had perhaps the most tragic history of any 8000 meter peak, with many deaths of climbers and porters, especially in the 1930’s. Messner, who has climbed Nanga Parbat twice, examines the long history of this peak. This is a different book from his recent book The Naked Mountain. DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $75 BK1988

DOLOMITEN: DIE SCHONSTEN BERGE DER WELT [THE DOLOMITES: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS IN THE WORLD]
Messner, Reinhold and Jakob Tappeneiner. Munchen, 2002, 1st edition. 258 pp, 200+ color photos. In German. Messner started serious climbing in the Dolomites, and this is a magnificent large format history and memoir of those peaks of Italy. Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 OP635

EVEREST: EXPEDITION TO THE ULTIMATE
Messner, Reinhold. New York or London, 1979, 1st edition. 254 pp, color photos. One of the most important climbs in mountaineering; the first ascent of Everest without oxygen. Up until this time it was believed that Everest could not be climbed, or that men could even survive at the summit, without the use of bottled oxygen. Peter Habeler and Reinhold Messner proved that it could be done, and set the new standard for Everest and 8000 meter peaks. Hardcover with dust jacket, Near Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. $250 OP52A

EVEREST: EXPEDITION TO THE ULTIMATE
Messner, Reinhold. New York or London, 1979, 1st edition. 254 pp, color photos. One of the most important climbs in mountaineering; the first ascent of Everest without oxygen. Up until this time it was believed that Everest could not be climbed, or that men could even survive at the summit, without the use of bottled oxygen. Peter Habeler and Reinhold Messner proved that it could be done, and set the new standard for Everest and 8000 meter peaks. Hardcover with dust jacket, Near Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 OP52B

EVEREST: IMPOSSIBLE VICTORY
Habeler, Peter. London, 1979, 1st edition. 223 pp, ill. This remarkable ascent of Everest without oxygen by Messner and Habeler set the style for applying Alpine style techniques to 8000 meter peak ascents. Nicer than the American edition. DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Peter Habeler and Reinhold Messner. $250 OP206

G I UND G II: HERAUSFORDERUNG GASHERBRUM [G 1 and 2: GASHERBRUM CHALLENGE]
Messner, Reinhold. Munchen, 1998, 1st edition. 207 pp, 50+ color & b/w photos, maps. In German. Messner’s complete account of his traverse of GI and GII with Hans Kammerlander in 1984. This was made into a film by Werner Herzog, The Dark Glow of the Mountains (which we stock). This will not get translated. Paperback (only edition), New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $75 BK1027A

G I UND G II: HERAUSFORDERUNG GASHERBRUM [G 1 and 2: GASHERBRUM CHALLENGE]
Messner, Reinhold. Munchen, 1998, 1st edition. 207 pp, 50+ color & b/w photos, maps. In German. Messner’s complete account of his traverse of GI and GII with Hans Kammerlander in 1984. This was made into a film by Werner Herzog, The Dark Glow of the Mountains (which we stock). This will not get translated. Paperback (only edition), New. Not signed. $25 BK1027B

GIPFELSIEG AM EVEREST: EXPEDITION DER WELTREKORDE DES ALPENVEREINS 1978 [VICTORY ON EVEREST: WORLD RECORD EXPEDITION OF THE ALPINE CLUB 1978]
Nairz, Wolfgang. Wien, 1978, 1st edition. 296 pp, 75 color & b/w photos, 2 maps. In German. This is the account of the Austrian Everest expedition to which Messner and Habeler were attached when they did their oxygen-less ascent of Everest. This book is of course much scarcer than either Messner’s or Habeler’s, both of which were best sellers. DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. $350 OP636

HERMANN BUHL: CLIMBING WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Messner, Reinhold and Horst Hofler. London, 2000, 1st edition. 204 pp, 43 color, 83 b/w photos. It is appropriate that Messner write the biography of Buhl, climber whose abilities rank with Messner’s. The story of his many extreme climbs, including the solo first ascent of Nanga Parbat. Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner, Kurt Diemberger, Horst Hofler and Generl Buhl, Hermann Buhl’s widow! $200 BK1980

HERMANN BUHL: CLIMBING WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Messner, Reinhold and Horst Hofler. Seattle, 2000, 1st edition. 204 pp, 43 color, 83 b/w photos. It is appropriate that Messner write the biography of Buhl, climber whose abilities rank with Messner’s. The story of his many extreme climbs, including the solo first ascent of Nanga Parbat. Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner! $95 BK1030

HIGH AMBITION: A BIOGRAPHY OF REINHOLD MESSNER
Faux, Ronald. London, 1982, 1st edition. 180 pp, ills. The standard biography of Messner in English. DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $200 Book # OP304B

HIGH AMBITION: A BIOGRAPHY OF REINHOLD MESSNER Faux, Ronald. London, 1982, 3rd printing. 180 pp, ills. The standard biography of Messner in English. DJ, Dampstain, Very Good. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $75 Book # OP304A

K2 CHOGORI DER GROSSE BERG [K2 CHOGORI THE BIG MOUNTAIN]
Messner, Reinhold. Munchen, 2004, 1st edition. 261 pp, many color & b/w
photos. In German. This year is the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of K2, and the 25th anniversary of Messner’s ascent, which was the first time a small expedition succeeded on the peak. To commemorate the event, Messner has written a well researched history of the peak. He devotes chapters to the early climbs, and attempts by the Duke of Abruzzi, the first ascent, the remarkable climbs of the Americans in 1938, 1939 and 1953, the disappointment of Walter Bonatti, plus many other significant events in the rich history of the world’s second highest peak. DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $75 Book # BK1987

K2: MOUNTAIN OF MOUNTAINS Messner, Reinhold and Alessandro Gogna. London or New York, 1981, 1st edition. 176 pp, ills (mostly color). History of the peak and description of Messner’s 1979 expedition with Michel Dacher. One of the scarcest of Messner’s titles. Large hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $250 BK1031

KARL MARIA HERRLIGKOFFER: BESESSEN, SIEGHAFT, UMSTRITTEN [OBSESSION, VICTORY, CONTROVERSY]
Messner, Reinhold and Horst Hofler. Zurich, 2001, 1st edition. 296 pp, 100’s of photos. In German. Herrligkoffer, although not a climber, led numerous expeditions to Everest, Nanga Parbat and Kangchenjunga in the 1950’s-1980’s. Messner feels that he was an unbalanced individual, was partially responsible for Messner’s brother’s death on Nanga Parbat, and did a lot of harm to mountaineering! Hardcover, new with DJ. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $100 OP643

LONELY VICTORY
Habeler, Peter. New York, 1979, 1st Am edition. 167 pp. This remarkable ascent of Everest by Messner and Habeler without oxygen set the style for applying Alpine style techniques to 8000 meter peak ascents. Hardcover, DJ, Near Fine. SIGNED by Peter Habeler and Reinhold Messner. $200 OP193

MOUNT EVEREST: EXPEDITIONEN ZUM ENDPUNKT [MOUNT EVEREST: EXPEDITION TO THE ULTIMATE]
Messner, Reinhold. Germany, 2003, new edition. 254 pp, 100’s of color photos. A totally new edition of Messner’s account of his first oxygenless ascent of Everest in 1978, EVEREST, EXPEDITION TO THE ULTIMATE. Done in large format, with 100’s of new photos, and including a CD of original tapes and conversations made in 1978. In German. New large format hardcover. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $125 BK1919

MOVING MOUNTAINS: LESSONS ON LIFE AND LEADERSHIP
Messner, Reinhold. Utah, 2001, 1st edition. 246 pp, color photos. The world’s greatest climber uses examples from his spectacular Himalayan climbs to illustrate his secrets of overcoming failure, pushing the limits, and achieving lasting success. Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $75 BK1032

MY QUEST FOR THE YETI: CONFRONTING THE HIMALAYAS’ DEEPEST MYSTERY
Messner, Reinhold. New York or London, 2000, 1st edition. 169 pp, photos. After having seen a Yeti, Messner has been fascinated by the possibilities of their existence. Here is his analysis and conclusions of the Himalaya’s great mystery. Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $75 BK1036

NANGA PARBAT PILGRIMAGE
Buhl, Hermann. London, 1998, new edition. 353 pp, photos. This 50th anniversary edition is a handsome hardcover (versus the paperback done in the USA). This copy is SIGNED by 4 people close to Buhl, his wife Generl Buhl, Kurt Diemberger who was climbing with Buhl when he died, and Reinhold Messner and Horst Hofler who wrote the new biography of Buhl. Hardcover, DJ, New. $200 BK1979

REINHOLD MESSNER, FREE SPIRIT.
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle or London, 1991, 1st edition. 288 pp, 24 color, 20 b/w photos. In this revealing autobiography, one of the most innovative and successful climbers of our time holds forth on his remarkable career. He recalls all his great Himalayan achievements such as the conquest of all fourteen 8000 meter peaks, the solo of Everest, his brother’s death on Nanga Parbat in 1970 and the pivotal effect it had on his life and future as a climber. Messner includes new material on his climbs of the seven summits, his crossing of Antarctica on foot, and an entire chapter on Tomo Cesen whom he calls “the greatest climber in the world.” Messner is a great climber and a superb writer—this is one book we will all want to read. Hardcover with dust jacket, Fine condition. SIGNED by Reinhold
Messner and Peter Habeler. $250 OP142A

REINHOLD MESSNER, FREE SPIRIT.
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle or London, 1991, 1st edition. 288 pp, 24 color, 20 b/w photos. In this revealing autobiography, one of the most innovative and successful climbers of our time holds forth on his remarkable career. He recalls all his great Himalayan achievements such as the conquest of all fourteen 8000 meter peaks, the solo of Everest, his brother’s death on Nanga Parbat in 1970 and the pivotal effect it had on his life and future as a climber. Messner includes new material on his climbs of the seven summits, his crossing of Antarctica on foot, and an entire chapter on Tomo Cesen whom he calls “the greatest climber in the world.” Messner is a great climber and a superb writer—this is one book we will all want to read. Hardcover with dust jacket, Fine condition. SIGNED by Reinhold
Messner. $200 OP142B

REINHOLD MESSNER SUPERSTAR
Schutt, Hans Dieter. Berlin, 1992, 1st edition. 192 pp, 30 photos. In German. Paperback, as New. Arranged as an encyclopedia, alphabetically by subject, this is a book of quotes from an interview with Messner. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $50 OP637

REINHOLD MESSNER: ICH GEHE BIS AN DIE GRENZE. EIN PORTRAIT... [I GO TO THE EDGE]
Schutt, Hans Dieter. Berlin, 1991, 1st edition. 192 pp, 15 photos. In German. Paperback, as New. This biography is from an interview with Messner. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $50 OP638

RUND AM SUDTIROL [AROUND THE SOUTH TYROL]
Messner, Reinhold. Munchen, 1992, 1st edition. 256 pp, 100’s of color photos. In German. A large format history and description of the South Tyrol, the German speaking area of Northern Italy where Messner was born and lives. Includes some climbing. DJ, Near Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 OP639

SOLO NANGA PARBAT
Messner, Reinhold. New York or London, 1980, 1st edition. 268 pp, ills. This describes Messner’s first Himalayan expedition in 1978. It describes three expeditions to Nanga Parbat in the 1970’s, including his solo of the peak, and the death of Reinhold’s brother Gunther. Hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $250 BK1040A

SOLO NANGA PARBAT
Messner, Reinhold. New York or London, 1980, 1st edition. 268 pp, ills. This describes Messner’s first Himalayan expedition in 1978. It describes three expeditions to Nanga Parbat in the 1970’s, including his solo of the peak, and the death of Reinhold’s brother Gunther. Hardcover, DJ, some pages loose. else Very Good. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 BK1040B

THE BIG WALLS: HISTORY, ROUTES, EXPERIENCES
Messner, Reinhold. New York, 1978, 1st Am edition. 144 pp, color photos. Messner’s climbs of Mont Agner North Face, the Matterhorn North Face, Grandes Jorasses Walker Spur, Eiger North Face, Aconcagua South Face, Nanga Parbat South Face and Dhaulagiri South Face. Larger hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. $250 OP2A

THE BIG WALLS: HISTORY, ROUTES, EXPERIENCES
Messner, Reinhold. New York, 1978, 1st Am edition. 144 pp, color photos. Messner’s climbs of Mont Agner North Face, the Matterhorn North Face, Grandes Jorasses Walker Spur, Eiger North Face, Aconcagua South Face, Nanga Parbat South Face and Dhaulagiri South Face. Larger hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 OP2B

THE BIG WALLS: FROM THE NORTH FACE OF THE EIGER TO THE SOUTH FACE OF DHAULAGIRI
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle, 2nd revised edition. 215 pp, color photos. This edition has been completely revised by Messner, and now includes data on 50 great wall routes throughout the world, mostly in the Himalaya. Also describes Messner’s climbs of Mont Agner North Face, the Matterhorn North Face, Grandes Jorasses Walker Spur, Eiger North Face, Aconcagua South Face,
Nanga Parbat South Face and Dhaulagiri South Face. Larger hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler $125 BK1018

THE CHALLENGE
Messner, Reinhold. New York or London, 1977, 1st edition. 205 pp, photos. Reinhold’s ascent of Gasherbrum with Peter Habeler set new standards in the Himalaya, as it was the smallest team to succeed on an 8000 meter peak. This was the birth of Alpine Style mountaineering in the Himalaya. Also described is an attempt on the south face of Lhotse. Hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. $250 OP194A

THE CHALLENGE
Messner, Reinhold. New York or London, 1977, 1st edition. 205 pp, photos. Reinhold’s ascent of Gasherbrum with Peter Habeler set new standards in the Himalaya, as it was the smallest team to succeed on an 8000 meter peak. This was the birth of Alpine Style mountaineering in the Himalaya. Also described is an attempt on the south face of Lhotse. Hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 OP194B

THE CRYSTAL HORIZON: EVEREST - THE FIRST SOLO ASCENT
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle or London, 1989, 1st edition. 322 pp, many color and b/w photos. Messner’s solo climb of Everest in 1980, by a new route and without oxygen, captured and entranced the climbing world like no event since the first ascent. Hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 BK1022

THE NAKED MOUNTAIN
Messner, Reinhold. Seattle, 2003, 1st edition. 320 pp, color photos. Messner has recently become embroiled in a controversy concerning his first expedition to Nanga Parbat, when his brother Gunther died. Two team members have recently accused Reinhold of negligence in his death, and this is Reinhold’s answer, telling the story of the tragedy and his subsequent ascents of the peak. Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $75 BK1955

THE SECOND DEATH OF GEORGE MALLORY: THE ENIGMA AND SPIRIT OF EVEREST
Messner, Reinhold. New York, 2001, 1st edition. 205 pp, photos. Messner, whose accomplishments on Everest are unmatched, tells the story of Mallory’s three Everest expeditions, and says we are searching for the wrong thing. It was Mallory’s amateur spirit of adventure rather than whether he made the top that we need to find. Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $75 BK1038

THE SEVENTH GRADE: MOST EXTREME CLIMBING Messner, Reinhold. New York or London, 1974, 1st edition. 164 pp, ills. Thirty years ago Reinhold Messner set forth his philosophy in this, his first book. Chris Bonington says of him, “What has given him the edge over everyone is creative imagination. There is a wall called impossible that the great mass of people in every field face. Then one person who’s got kind of extra imaginative drive jumps that wall. That’s Reinhold Messner.”
DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $250 OP19

THE WORLD’S GREATEST PEAKS [DIE SCHONSTEN GIPFEL DER WELT] Messner, Reinhold. Germany and Switzerland, 1989, 1st edition. 223 pp, color and b/w photos. In English, German and French. A scarce Messner title. Although published with English text, the book was never sold in the UK or USA. It is a photo and text description of 125 of the world’s most famous peaks, from El Capitan to Everest, the Matterhorn to Dhaulagiri. Large format hardcover. We have three copies, with different covers, but the same copyright page. Two have pictorial covers, one is red cloth with a Dust Jacket. All are Fine condition, and all are SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 OP640

TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD: ALPINE CHALLENGES IN THE HIMALAYA & KARAKORAM Messner, Reinhold. Seattle, 1992, 1st edition. 256 pp, 80 color, 55 b/w photos. A new, profusely illustrated narrative by world renowned Reinhold Messner that documents his most spectacular and unique mountaineering achievements. He focusses on the most severe test of his abilities: Manaslu, Gasherbrum, K2, Nanga Parbat, and what led him to climb Everest solo. Hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. $250 OP345A

TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD: ALPINE CHALLENGES IN THE HIMALAYA & KARAKORAM Messner, Reinhold. London or Seattle, 1992, 1st edition. 256 pp, 80 color, 55 b/w photos. A new, profusely illustrated narrative by world renowned Reinhold Messner that documents his most spectacular and unique mountain-eering achievements. He focusses on the most severe test of his abilities: Manaslu, Gasherbrum, K2, Nanga Parbat, and what led him to climb Everest solo. Hardcover, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $150 OP345B

VERTICAL: 100 JAHRE KLETTERKUNST
Messner, Reinhold. 2002. 295 pp, 100’s of color and b/w photos. In German. Messner has written a new history of extreme rock climbing, primarily in the Alps, from Mummery and Zsigmondy in the ‘19th century, through Peter Croft and Alexander Huber in the 21st. Large format pictorial hardcover, no DJ issued, New. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. $125 BK1956

VISIONS OF PARADISE Messner, R., B. Grizmek, Leni Riefenstahl and Herbert Tichy. Photos by Jurgen Winkler. UK, 1981, 1st edition. 243 pp, color and b/w photos. Quarto. Beautiful large-format book, in English, on mountains, Himalayas and Africa. Pictorial cover, no DJ issued. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner. Fine. $150 OP641

WETLAUF ZUM GIPFEL: STRATEGIE UND TAKTIK MEINER HTCHSTLEISTUNGEN. [RACE TO THE PEAK: STRATEGY AND TACTICS OF MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS]. Messner, Reinhold. Mnchen, 1986, 1st edition. 161 pp, 100’s of photos. In German. Reinhold discusses his experiences on the edge, and how he prepares both mentally and physically for them. Gasherbrum, Makalu in winter and Annapurna are covered in detail. Large-format hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by
Reinhold Messner. $150 OP642

SIGNED BY MESSNER, HILLARY AND BONINGTON! EVEREST: 50 YEARS ON TOP OF THE WORLD: THE OFFICIAL HISTORY
Band, George. London, 2003, 1st UK edition. 256 pp, 200+ photos, maps. This is the official 50th anniversary book of Everest, written by the youngest member of the first ascent team. With tongue in cheek he questions why another Everest book is needed, and then shows that a lively, well researched and profusely illustrated book can certainly add to what we know. With unique access to the living members who shared unpublished anecdotes, and unparalleled access to the photo archives of the RGS, Alpine Club, Mount Everest Foundation plus private collections, this will become an essential book to read and savor for Everest enthusiasts. I especially enjoyed Band’s dry wit, and the many unpublished photos (Mallory swimming nude, Evans and Bourdillon setting out for the top, Tenzing with his mother!). Large format hardcover. SIGNED by Ed Hillary, Chris Bonington and Reinhold Messner! Our exclusive import. $250 Book # BK1224

SIGNED BY MESSNER, HILLARY AND BONINGTON! Venables, Stephen. EVEREST: SUMMIT OF ACHIEVEMENT.
London, 2003, UK 1st edition. 252 pp, 400 color & b/w photos. This is the “Big Book” to commemo-rate the 50th anniversary of Tenzing and Hillary’s climb, and may very well be the definitive photo history of the peak. Venables tells the great Everest stories, made better with photos from the vast archives of the Royal Geographical Society who sponsored many UK Everest expeditions. Includes contributions by Ed Hillary, the Dalai Lama, Ed Douglas, John Keay, Tashi Tenzing, Mike Westmacott, etc. Extra Large Hardcover, DJ, New. SIGNED by Ed Hillary, Chris Bonington and Reinhold Messner. $250. Book # BK1894

SIGNED BY MESSNER, 11 OTHERS! HIMALAYA ALPINE STYLE
Fanshawe, Andy and Stephen Venables. Seattle, 1999, 1st edition. 192 pp, 200 color photos, 36 maps. Forty Alpine-style Himalayan climbs are descr-ibed, mostly of 7000-8000 meter peaks. Includes the Ogre, K2, Nanga Parbat, Nanda Devi, Annapurna, Everest, Kangchenjunga. Large-format, DJ, Fine. SIGNED by Reinhold Messner, Peter Habeler, Chris Bonington, Doug Scott, Mark Wilford, John Middendorf, Tomaz Humar, Jeff Lowe, Ed Webster, Peter Hillary, Conrad Anker, Kurt Diemberger. $750 Book # BK1614

SIGNED BY MESSNER, HILLARY, 3 MORE THE ASCENT OF EVEREST
Hunt, John. London, 1953, 1st UK edition. 300 pp, 48 plates. The official account of the first ascent of Mount Everest; this is the first book written about the climb. Chapter 16 on the on final assault was written by Edmund Hillary. If you want to collect just one book signed by Ed Hillary, this is probably the one to have. DJ, Near Fine. SIGNED by Edmund Hillary, Reinhold Messner, Heinrich Harrer, Bradford Washburn and Gerry Roach. $500 OP334A

SIGNED BY MESSNER, HILLARY, 15 MORE THE ASCENT OF EVEREST
Hunt, John. London, 1953, 1st UK edition. 300 pp, 48 plates. DJ, Near Fine. This copy is SIGNED by these great climbers: Stacy Allison, Conrad Anker, Fred Beckey, Chris Bonington, Greg Child, Kurt Diemberger, Peter Habeler, Heinrich Harrer, Ed Hillary, Peter Hillary, Tom Hornbein, Jeff Lowe, Reinhold Messner, Gerry Roach, Doug Scott, Brad Washburn, Jim Whittaker, $1500 OP334B

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