HUNT, John.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

The Ascent of Everest. First edition, finely bound for presentation, gifted by the Himalayan Joint Committee to Percival John Gratwick, the managing director of Courtaulds, which supplied the rayon string vests used by members of the 1953 Everest expedition.Loosely inserted is a 23 December 1953 typed letter signed to Gratwick (1886-1954) from the committee's treasurer and energetic expedition fundraiser, Robert Wylie Lloyd (1868-1958). Composed on British Mount Everest Expedition letterhead, the letter writes that "I am most grateful to you for what you did for me over the money and giving me so much valuable assistance... I have had an awful lot to do with Everest affairs etc. They take up a good deal of time, so I want a rest." Also inserted is a typed compliments slip, dated November 1953 and signed by Lloyd.Gratwick joined Courtaulds in 1910. The firm's contribution to the success of the expedition is noted in Appendix IX ("Acknowledgements of Assistance in Launching the Expedition").

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