From the archive: J S Masterman in the Alps

I visited the archive in Solly Street last week and made some great discoveries.

I was able to access some letters from the personal collection of Hugh Robert Mill, received between 1893 and 1944. They were given to the GA in 2000 by Arthur Hunt, who received them from L J Jay's widow. 

L J Jay was a former GA librarian.

I came across a letter to Hugh Robert Mill from J S Masterman Esq. who was representing University College School at the first meeting of the GA in 1893.

As with several other early members, officers and Presidents of the GA, including Douglas Freshfield, they were involved with the Alpine Club.

This letter describes an ascent in the Alps. Masterman was staying in the Hotel Nesthorn in Lötschthal. This seems to have disappeared, as has the Schwarzegg Hut. This is in the area close to the Eiger and other classic peaks including the Jungfrau, which Masterman climbed. He also climbed the Finteraarhorn and the Schreckhorn - both impressive peaks with aretes and other glacial scenery. There is also description of glaciers and moraines.

Masterman climbing letter to HRM.pdf from GeoBlogs

The trip is not without issues, such as this problem on the way to Diablerets and Aigle.

The days before Gore Tex...

From the archive: B B Dickinson letter from May 1893

Visited the archive in Solly Street earlier this week.

I was able to access some letters from the personal collection of Hugh Robert Mill, received between 1893 and 1944. They were given to the GA in 2000 by Arthur Hunt, who received them from L J Jay's widow. 

L J Jay was a former GA librarian.

They included a letter sent by B B Dickinson to Hugh Robert Mill, who seems to have been addressed as Mill, and which was sent just a week after the meeting where the GA was founded, explaining that the meeting had taken place.

B B Dickinson May 1893.pdf from GeoBlogs

There was also a set of facsimiles of early documents, including a list of attendees at the meeting where ideas for geography teaching were discussed.

There is a list of those who were unable to attend but who had showed an interest. As you can see, these were public school masters generally. The first thing that was discussed was the use of the optical lantern, and ideas were shared for effective use of lantern slides. 

This is linked with the Geographer's Gaze project which is coming soon to the GA website.