Beschreibung:

EVEREST EXPEDITIONS , 1924 and 1938 Noel E.ODELL (1890-1987). -- Colonel E.F.NORTON. An autograph letter signed to Odell, 6 January 1924 Uplands Fareham Hampshire, discussing arrangements for the expedition. "The majority of the climbing party will reach Darjeeling about 17th or 18th March I think. I hope to get there about the end of February as I am going on ahead with the General. I want if possible to get the climbers on ahead to Gantza (12000) or Phari (14000) to acclimatise a bit in comfortable surroundings before starting across Tibet.", suggesting that Odell should arrive in Darjeeling by 10-12th March and mentioning various other matters. 2 pages, 8vo . Preliminary Map showing original surveys made by Mt. Everest Detachment 1921 . [?London: 1922]. Lithographed map printed in colours, 75 x 112cm. (clean tears and some soiling). This map, of the Himalayas and Tibet, is the first to show the results of the pioneering R.G.S. survey team led by Colonel Howard-Bury. In his report to the society he wrote that "The expedition accomplished what it set out to do. All the approaches to Mount Everest from the north, north-west and east were carefully reconnoitered, and a possible route to the top was found via the north-east ridge... Some 13,000 square miles of new country was surveyed and mapped." The expedition reached a height of 23,000ft. and produced maps of such accuracy that they are still in use today. A gilt metal altimeter by A.& N.C.S.L. , 36mm. diameter, silvered dial calibrated from 23,000 to 31,000ft., with the hand indicating 27,000ft, fitted red morocco case. Odell twice reached 27,000ft. whilst searching for Irvine and Mallory during the 1924 expedition. A brass pocket sextant by Wilson London , 1916, length 106mm., in leather case with shoulder-strap, ink inscription on lid N.E.Odell ; A brass Watkin's Clinometer by J.Hicks of 2 Hatton Garden , London, 72mm. diameter, engraved on base John B.Corry , in fitted leather case with tooled initials N.E.O. ; together with various other ephemeral items (3 sets of Mount Everest Expedition Postcards , 6 cards per series in three original envelopes, unused; a Christmas card for 1924 with a climber on an ice-slope on the front and a reproduction of a watercolour view of Everest by Norton on the inside, unused; a 1p.TLS from Sydney Spencer of the Everest committee to Odell, dated 7 Dec. 1924, concerning the purchasing of 'personal kit'; two rolled maps of Everest region- 2ll. enlarged modern +acsimiles of Odell's diary covering the period of his search for Mallory and Irving; seven modern 8 x 10inch photographs printed from negatives made on the 1924 expedition; two cigarette cards from Player's Mount Everest series). Provenance : Noel E.Odell (and by descent).