Rare, 1934, 1936, Signed Lot of 2 Bound Volumes of Greece’s Pioneer Mountaineering & Hiking Magazine Ekdromika, Illustrated

A rare and historically important pair of bound volumes of Εκδρομικά (Ekdromika), one of Greece’s earliest and most influential periodicals devoted to mountaineering, hiking, tourism, cave exploration, and the appreciation of the Greek natural landscape.

Founded in 1929 by Kleovoulos Dendrinos, N. Tsekouras, and K. Christidis, Ekdromika became the leading publication promoting organized outdoor activities and nature appreciation in interwar Greece. It played a significant role in popularizing hiking, alpinism, and exploration long before these pursuits became widespread.

Beautifully illustrated throughout with photographs, drawings, and maps, the magazine provides a fascinating window into the development of modern Greek tourism and mountaineering during the 1930s.

Bibliographical Details

Title: Εκδρομικά, Τουριστικό Ορειβατικό Περιοδικό (EKDROMIKA)

Publication Type: Illustrated Monthly Periodical

Publisher: Kleovoulos Dendrinos

Place of Publication: Athens, Greece

Language: Greek

Volumes Included:

Volume VI (1934)
January–December
Complete year (12 issues), 310 pages

Volume VIII (1936)
January–July
Five issues: January, February/March (combined issue), April, May, June/July (combined issue), 174 pages

Professionally bound into two attractive hardcover volumes.

Both volumes are signed and dedicated by the publisher.

Historical Significance
Published during the vibrant interwar years, Ekdromika documented Greece at a time when organized tourism and recreational mountaineering were still in their infancy.
The magazine encouraged readers to explore Greece’s mountains, forests, caves, rivers, monasteries, villages, and archaeological sites, fostering a broader appreciation of the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
It also reflects the emergence of hiking clubs and alpine associations that would later shape modern Greek mountaineering.
Its pages contain a wealth of contemporary material, including:

mountaineering expeditions
hiking routes
cave explorations
travel narratives
regional history
folklore
natural history
archaeological excursions
tourism development
vintage photographs and illustrations

Today the magazine constitutes an invaluable primary source for historians studying outdoor recreation, tourism, environmental awareness, and everyday life in interwar Greece.

A Landmark of Greek Outdoor Culture
Long before mass tourism transformed Greece, Ekdromika celebrated the country’s mountains and landscapes as destinations for exploration rather than simply pilgrimage or commerce.
The magazine helped cultivate an early conservationist spirit and encouraged physical exercise, scientific curiosity, and respect for Greece’s natural environment.
Its influence extended beyond recreation, contributing to the broader cultural movement that promoted knowledge of the Greek countryside during the first half of the twentieth century.

Condition

Very good overall vintage condition.
The volumes remain firmly bound.
The original magazine covers show expected age-related toning, light edge wear, and occasional chipping consistent with 1930s paper.
The interiors remain clean, with attractive natural aging and numerous illustrations preserved throughout.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.

Collector’s Note

Complete early runs of Ekdromika seldom appear on the market.

These bound volumes are particularly desirable for collectors of:

mountaineering literature
hiking history
Greek tourism
travel periodicals
environmental history
exploration
cave studies (speleology)
illustrated magazines
Greek interwar publications

A remarkable documentary record of Greece’s landscapes and the birth of organized outdoor culture during the interwar period.