The Ascent of Mont Blanc by Abraham Le Blond CL No 336a

“The Ascent of Mont Blanc” CL No 336a, The Glacier du Tacconnay. This is the first in a set of four images depicting the event. They were topical of course and remain interesting as early mountaineering pictures. The Courtney Lewis reference has considerable detail in it. Apparently they were taken from the original sketches which rather explains their format. They were produced from 16 blocks and four plates. There is no lettering on the plate. This one depicts Col de Bathe, Lord Killeen, and Messrs Albert Smith, Shuldman, Russell, Fanshawe, Burrows and Macgregor with 40 guides. Tissay, the chief guide, is being recovered from the fissure. Size 4 1/2″ x 6″. Originally sold for 1s 6d. Le Blond’s copies are not as colourful as Baxter’s originals, but still a good representation of the original.