Natural History Books - Australia, New South Wales - The Railway Guide

Martell, E. A., L'Evolution Souterraine, Paris, 1908; modern half calf with cloth boards by T Taylor, West Keel, 2005 with original wrap cover pasted to inner front board; 388 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card 585 grams, 19 x 12.7 cm

Near fine condition; slight paper browning. Scarce.

Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales. Property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by a hand-written record card from Mr and Mrs PR.

This lot is from the collection assembled by a man who pursued a lifelong interest in speleology - the study of natural cave systems and he sought out important books on the subject ranging from 18th century classic works to rare pamphlets and offprints. The first book apparently acquired, by way of a gift from a family friend in 1955, when he was living as a young man in Australia and exploring the famed Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. For over fifty years, as he moved around the world, his interest expanded into USA cave systems and those in the United Kingdom and Europe. Many of the books have a pedigree of previous ownership and almost all are accompanied by meticulous index cards that record not only the full bibliographic information for each book but also when, where and from whom it was acquired, together with the price paid; the cards are often punctuated with pithy personal comments that show clearly the depth of interest in the subject. The collection represents an unrivalled opportunity today for collectors and others to acquire rare and important works.

Watson, White, A Delineation of the Strata of Derbyshire forming the Surface from Bolsover in the East to Buxton in the West, Todd, Sheffield, 1811; original quarter bound with lettered boards; 76 pp., folding geological section and engraving of a vase in text; with detailed collector card with ink 'E SIMPSON' stamp to title and manuscript ink 'With Mr Grainger's Compliments / to E Simpson, Austwick 1937' presentation inscription to inside from board. 312 grams, 24 x 18.5 cm

Good condition; small tear to top of spine and boards soiled, some browning to pages. Very rare.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson (gift of M Grainger, 1937). Acquired by gift of Miss C M Rawdin. The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by a hand-written record card from Mr and Mrs PR.

This lot is from the collection assembled by a man who pursued a lifelong interest in speleology - the study of natural cave systems and he sought out important books on the subject ranging from 18th century classic works to rare pamphlets and offprints. The first book apparently acquired, by way of a gift from a family friend in 1955, was when living as a young man in Australia and exploring the famed Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. For over fifty years, as he moved around the world, his interest expanded into USA cave systems and those in the United Kingdom and Europe. Many of the books have a pedigree of previous ownership and almost all are accompanied by meticulous index cards that record not only the full bibliographic information for each book but also when, where and from whom it was acquired, together with the price paid; the cards are often punctuated with pithy personal comments that show clearly the depth of interest in the subject. The collection represents an unrivalled opportunity today for collectors and others to acquire rare and important works.

Siffre, Michel, Dans les Abimes de la Terre, Flammarion, France, 1975; cloth with dustwrapper; 303 pp., French text, illustrated (some colour). 1 kg, 26.7 x 18.7 cm

Near fine condition; small tear to dw.

The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members.

This lot is from the collection assembled by a man who pursued a lifelong interest in speleology - the study of natural cave systems and he sought out important books on the subject ranging from 18th century classic works to rare pamphlets and offprints. The first book apparently acquired, by way of a gift from a family friend in 1955, when he was living as a young man in Australia and exploring the famed Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. For over fifty years, as he moved around the world, his interest expanded into USA cave systems and those in the United Kingdom and Europe. Many of the books have a pedigree of previous ownership and almost all are accompanied by meticulous index cards that record not only the full bibliographic information for each book but also when, where and from whom it was acquired, together with the price paid; the cards are often punctuated with pithy personal comments that show clearly the depth of interest in the subject. The collection represents an unrivalled opportunity today for collectors and others to acquire rare and important works.