Natural History Books - Balch - Wookey Hole Its Caves and Cave Dwellers

Speight, H. (Johnnie Gray), The Craven and North-West Yorkshire Highlands, Stock, London, 1892; original pictorial cloth; 470 pp. +1 p. [advertisement], illustrated, some folding; with detailed collector record card and inked 'W Scott / Beansley' to fep and 'J H Robb / Beansley 1897 / WS' to title. 1 kg, 23.2 x 15.2 cm

Good condition; minor wear to binding, hinges slightly weak.

Ex libris W Scott and J H Robb (by gift 1897). Acquired Martin's Books, Wales. 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.

Dawkins, W. Boyd, Cave Hunting - Researches on the Evidence of Caves Respecting the Early Inhabitants of Europe, MacMillan, London, 1874; original pictorial cloth; xxiv pp. + 455 pp., coloured frontis and illustrated; with detailed collector card. 1.2 kg, 23 x 17 cm

Good condition; spine and hinges worn, paper tape repairs to inside cover hinges. Scarce.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson. Acquired Miss C M Rawdin, 1982, Wales, September 1984. 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.

Alleweireldt, J., Description Pittoresque de la Grotte de Han-sur-Lesse Brussels, 1829; original lettered boards; 44 pp. + 27 pl., illustrated; with detailed collector record cards and old pencilled note to title. 1 kg, 36.7 x 27.3 cm

Near fine condition; soiling to spine and binding, light occasional foxing. Very rare.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson. Acquired Miss C M Rawdin, 1982. The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by two 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.