In reply to Duncan Campbell:
Hi Duncan, I have a shelf and a half of guide books I use. I am constantly reading mountaineering books and have lost count of the number I read. Most of the guide books in my collection are used. I only started climbing five years ago so have bought hundreds of used guide books and very few have not seen a crag. As with any collector the aim is to buy an item which is in as good condition as is possible, just like a toy car is considered of more value with its box and a record more desireable with a fine cover. It is difficult with guide books as by there very nature they get used and damaged. Often you have no choice but to accept a poor copy of a rare guide. Some collectors do not even like notes in guides however I consider notes all part of the history and are often very interesting. As is the names you find in some books. If you read my article on my top ten guide books the Ben Nevis guide I love for the very reason its been well used. I often find a "better copy" of a book in which case I replace what I already have.Love your write up and many thanks.
Ben Nevis 1936 SMC (SD010)
This tatty old item came my way when I purchased Preston Mountaineering Clubs collection. No librarian could be found so the committee decided to dispose of the books. I instantly took a liking to this guide, I love the books patina it’s been used as a guide and although sound suffers a large amount of damage. As I collector the ideal is to find a book that is un- read, in “fine” condition however to do this is difficult and sometimes impossible. This copy has seen better days so surprisingly for that reason it makes my top ten.
Nathan Rostron presents David Price - the owner of a particularly impressive collection of climbing books...
