"Journey Towards the Summit of Chimborazo, Attempted on the 23rd June, 1802. By Alexander de Humboldt...", Humboldt, Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von

This is the English version of Humboldt's famous profile and chart of Chimborazo that was significant for illustrating species of plant life in relation to elevation. At the time of Humboldt's climb, Chimborazo was considered the highest mountain in the world (20,565 today). On the right, a profile compares the heights of various peaks measured in "toises" (6 foot lengths), and a profile at left shows changes in temperature versus elevation. Humboldt's journey failed at just over 19,000 feet due to an impassable ravine blocking their assent, but this chart was still one of his most famous depictions. Engraved by Sidney Hall.

Alexander von Humboldt was a world-famous geologist, geographer, naturalist and explorer. He spent 5 years exploring Latin America along with his partner Aime Bonpland. He was one of the first to document the area from a scientific point of view and the first to complete a profile view of an entire country.

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Condition: B

Issued folding with light scattered foxing and light toning at lower right. There is a tiny binding tear in the right blank margin that is closed on verso with archival tape.