The Sherpa and the Snowman (with) 24 silver gelatin contact sheets documenting the 1954 Daily Mail Himalayan expedition in search of the Yeti
[Nepal] & London: [No publisher] & Hollis & Carter, [1953-1954] & 1955.
A unique collection of 24 gelatin silver contact sheets with 272 original photos by British biologist Charles Stonor, documenting the famous “Daily Mail Himalayan Expedition in Search of the Yeti” in January-June 1954, arguably the largest, most prominent hunt for the cryptid ever. Includes two photos of "Footprints of the Abominable Snowman," one of which appears in the published book. Other photos detail Stonor's travels through Nepal; he left Kathmandu in December 1953 ahead of the main party, heading eastward and looking for Yeti footprints, interviewing Sherpas, and documenting: the people, nature scenes, flora, and fauna. While (spoiler alert) the yeti was not found, two new species of bird were identified. Most of the photos are unpublished. Each sheet ca. 30x25 cm (ca. 12x10"), with nine to twelve photos, several with light leaks, so altogether with 272 good quality images, each approximately 2.25 x 2.25". With roughly 60 period white ink manuscript captions on recto of the contact sheets (identifying single photos or groups of photos); several photos with hand-drawn pencil crosses. Very Good overall. All sheets with period pencil or ink numbers, markings or captions on verso. The sheets are slightly wavy, several sheets with minor creases or tears on extremities not affecting the images.
First edition. xii, 209 pp. with photographs by the author. Very Good, foxed along edges, in worn dust jacket. Contact sheets (not in Stonor's order) with key notations:
A) Members of the 1954 Himalayan Expedition sponsored by the Daily Mail (Ralph Issard, Tom Stobart);
B) [Various views near those]: (Terracing near Toshi, Dec.; Valley; Sherpas down to trade nr. Toshi (2 photos); Forest above 9-10,000 ft., Shrine at Toshi; [..?] in front of Shiva temple, Toshi);
B) [Various views near Junbesi]: (Nr. Junbesi, Dec.; Above Junbesi, Dec. (2 different views); Clods for burning before potato planting, Junbesi Dec.; Above Junbesi; Looking north from above Junbesi; Inscribed rock near Junbesi);
D) Sherpa life in Namche Bazaar [two different contact sheets];
E) [Various views of the Khumbu region]: (Above Namche Bazaar; Everest Ranges; Ranges by Everest; Footprints of the Abominable Snowman);
F) [Various views of the Khumbu region]: (1,2,3 = Everest Range, Ranges & Scenery toward Namche Bazaar);
G) The Bhotekosi Valley in and near Phorche village;
H) Scenes in the Dudhkosi Valley;
I) Scenes near Ghat in the lower Dudhkosi Valley (Man carving sacred inscriptions on stone);
J) Thyangboche Monastery (Mount Amadablam, Mount Tawiche);
K) [Various views of the Khumbu region]: (Local ceremony in Namche Bazaar; Sherpa traveller from Lhasa, Sherpa nun milking cow; Thyangboche monastery [three views]; Everest range);
L) [Various views of the Khumbu region]: (Near Tyangboche; Hermit & cell above Dingboche; Rhododendrons (several photos); Pussy willow);
M) [Various views of the Khumbu region]: (Near Dingboche, Hongu Valley);
N) Scenes in and near Thami (Raven);
O) [“Lhotse, 3rd highest mountain” – captioned on verso];
P) [Various views of the Khumbu region]: Mount Amadablam (several views); Barun glacier (several views); Barun pass; Mount Markhalu (several views);
Q) Ice formations in the Hongu Glacier (two different contact sheets).
R)-V) Five unlabeled contact sheets with scenes of mountains and local people.
Price: $5,500