Natural History Books - Baring-Gould - Cliff Castles and Cave Dwellings of Europe

Casteret, Norbert, Dix Ans Sous Terre Campagnes d'un Explorateur Solitaire, LAP, Paris, 1933, pictorial paperback; 313 pp., French text; illustrated; with detailed collector card. 302 grams, 19 x 12 cm

Near fine condition; slight wear at spine.

Acquired Bouquinerie de la Reade, France, February 2005. 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.

Browne, Rev G. F., Ice-Caves of France and Switzerland a Narrative of Subterranean Exploration, Longman, London, 1865; original cloth with lettered spine; viii pp. + 1 p. + 315 pp., illustrated; with a detailed collector record card and pencilled note 'Bishop of Bristol 1897-1914 (died June 1 / 1930 aged 96)' to title. 580 grams, 21.7 x 15 cm

Near fine condition; hinges slightly weak. Scarce.

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 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.

Westall, William, Views of the Caves near Ingleton, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove, John Murray, London, 1818 (only edition); modern half calf with marbled boards by Period Binders, Bath (1985); 8 pp. text to accompany the 12 superb plates (modern tissue guards) captioned: Dovecote Gill Cave (south entrance), Entrance to Yordas Cave, Yordas Cave (looking towards entrance), Stalactites in Yordas Cave, Trees Above Weathercote Cave, Waterfall in Weathercote Cave, Weathercote Cave, Weathercoate Cave (from south side), Gatekirk Cave (looking from north entrance), Malham Cove, Approach to Gordale and Gordale Scar; most plates include human figures for scale; with collector record cards giving full details. 1.01 kg, 39.5 x 27.5 cm

Fine condition. Rare and a classic work.

Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, October 1984. 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.