The points of issue
First edition, London: John Murray, 1871, octavo, pp. xviii, [2], 432; printed by R. Clark, Edinburgh. Illustrated with full-page plates (commonly cited as roughly 22 to 23, one folding), about 90 to 100-plus in-text wood engravings, and five folding maps at the rear (one printed in color), plus a folding snow-section chart. Original green pictorial cloth with blind-ruled borders, gilt-lettered spine, and black-coated endpapers. The first issue/earliest state has NO printed thousand-count on the title page; a title page reading 'Fifth Thousand' indicates a LATER printing within 1871 (struck off after the first roughly 4,000 copies), not the earliest state.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1871 Murray London edition (UK), the definitive Matterhorn account. The print run sold quickly, so several 1871 'thousand' printings exist; the earliest issue lacks any thousand designation, and a 'Fifth Thousand' title page is a later 1871 printing. American issues, the revised and expanded 1893 fourth edition, and modern facsimiles are later or 'first thus.' Unrestored original-cloth copies are scarce.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition of the period. Beware later 1871 'thousand' printings, the expanded 1893 fourth edition, and modern facsimiles (National Geographic and others) being offered as the earliest first edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860-69 a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, London: John Murray, 1871, octavo, pp. xviii, [2], 432; printed by R. Clark, Edinburgh. Illustrated with full-page plates (commonly cited as roughly 22 to 23, one folding), about 90 to 100-plus in-text wood engravings, and five folding maps at the rear (one printed in color), plus a folding snow-section chart. Original green pictorial cloth with blind-ruled borders, gilt-lettered spine, and black-coated endpapers. The first issue/earliest state has NO printed thousand-count on the title page; a title page reading 'Fifth Thousand' indicates a
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. True first is the 1871 Murray London edition (UK), the definitive Matterhorn account. The print run sold quickly, so several 1871 'thousand' printings exist; the earliest issue lacks any thousand designation, and a 'Fifth Thousand' title page is a later 1871 printing. American issues, the revised an
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club edition of the period. Beware later 1871 'thousand' printings, the expanded 1893 fourth edition, and modern facsimiles (National Geographic and others) being offered as the earliest first edition.
I have a first edition of Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860-69 — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.