Natural History Books - Balch - Caves of Mendip

Group comprising: Brown, Geo. H., Victoria Cave its History and Exploration, 1925; stapled pictorial wraps figure; WITH The Ebbing and Flowing Well Giggleswick, 3 copies, 2 editions; stapled pictorial or lettered wraps (weak), illustrated; WITH Richard Frankland the Founder of the Rathmell Academy, 1912; stapled lettered wraps; WITH Keith, Sir Arthur, History from the Caves a New Theory of the Origin of Modern Races of Mankind, Presidential Address, British Speleological Association, 25 July 1936; stapled lettered wraps; some with detailed collector record cards. 257 grams total, 18 x 11.5 - 22 x 14 cm

Generally good to fine condition. Some scarce.

The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by hand-written record cards from Mr and Mrs PR.

Adam, W., The Gem of the Peak or Matlock Bath and its Vicinity, Longman, London, 1845; original blind cloth lettered; xviii pp., [pp.4], 438 pp., [4 pp. advertisements] with 2 folding maps (first with tear) and illustrated with plates and in text; with detailed collector card and inked 'MR CHARLES R PEASE JR' to fep and manuscript ink 'M Harrison' to title. 497 grams, 19.5 x 12.5 cm

Generally fine condition. Scarce.

Ex libris M Harrison and Charles R Pease Jnr. Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, March 1983. 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, 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.

Mitchell, Albert, Yorkshire Caves and Potholes 1 - North Ribblesdale, Skipton, nd (believed 1948); xv pp. + 81 pp. + 18 pp. [advertisements], illustrated; WITH Yorkshire Caves and Potholes 2 - Under Ingleborough, Skipton , nd (believed 1948); xi pp. + 140 pp., illustrated; both in lettered card covers; with detailed collector record cards. 411 grams total, 19 x 13 cm each

First near fine; second with tear to upper spine. Both scarce.

The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by hand-written record cards 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.