Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #123 begins on 15 May 2025

Benuzzi, Felice

NO PICNIC ON MOUNT KENYA:

[the story of three PoWs escape to adventure]

Published: William Kimber, London, 1952

Edition: First

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230 pages, [2] leaves of plates: portrait as frontispiece, one illustration, map on endpapers. Cloth, dust wrapper, slightly frayed at top of spine.

A classic tale of mountaineering! Benuzzi was born in 1910 and grew up climbing in the Alps and Dolomites. After graduating in law from the University of Rome and swimming for Italy he entered the Italian Colonial Service and was posted to Abyssinia. After the surrender of that country he was declared a POW by the Allies. From 1941-1946 Benuzzi was held at Nanyuhi, 354 Prisoner of War Camp at the foot of Mount Kenya, which, at 17 000 feet, is the second highest mountain in Africa. To break the tedium of camp life, he and two others planned to climb Mount Kenya. They gathered stores and equipment (some they made and some they stole) and then broke out of camp, leaving a note promising to return in a few weeks. They endured enormous privations and two of them (including Benuzzi) summited before breaking back into the camp, hiding their equipment, having haircuts and a good sleep before reporting to the Commandant, whereupon they were promptly arrested and put in solitary confinement as escapees!

This work has been reprinted a number of times. The first edition is seldom seen.

  • Jacket Condition: Excellent
  • Binding Condition: Excellent
  • Overall Condition: Excellent
  • Size: 22 x 14,5 cm
  • Sold By: Select Books
  • Contact Person: David McLennan
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 021-4246955
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Credit card; EFT
  • Trade Associations: SABDA


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