Natural History Books - Barrett - Australian Caves, Cliffs and Waterfalls

Group comprising: Beautiful East Gippsland, Bulmer, nd; stapled lettered wraps, illustrated; with Trickett, O., Guide to the Wombeyan Caves New South Wales, 1906; stapled pictorial wraps, illustrated; with Souvenir of the Visit of the Empire Press Delegation to the Caves of Western Australia, 1925; laced boards with mounted photographs; NSW Government, The Systems of Limestone Caves, nd; stapled pictorial wraps, illustrated; with Danes, Dr J. V., Physiography of Some Limestone Areas in Queensland, Royal Society of Queensland, 23 July 1910; stapled lettered wraps, illustrated; with Railway Commissioners, Australia Calls You, nd; stapled pictorial wraps (some folds and pulling loose), illustrated; with Jennings, Nicoll and Spate, Karts Stream Self-Capture at London Bridge Burra Creek NSW, offprint, 1976; stapled pages (folded); with Government Tourist Bureau, The Wellington Caves, 1908; stapled pictorial wraps, illustrated; with The Abercrombie Caves, New South Wales, 1908; stapled pictorial wraps, illustrated; with two pieces of ephemera related to Jenolan Caves. 809 grams total, 20 x 12.5 - 25 x 18.5 cm

Good to fine condition. Some rare.

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.

Winder, Francis A., An Unconventional Guide to the Caves of Castleton and District, Sheffield, 1938; pictorial wraps; 81 pp., illustrated; with a detailed collector record card and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamps to cover and tiles and inked manuscript 'With the Author's / compliments / July 1938' presentation inscription to fep. 158 grams, 19 x 12.6 cm

Near fine condition; light soiling to binding. Scarce.

Author's Presentation Copy (1938). 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.

H(utton), J., A Tour of the Caves in the Environs of Ingleborough and Settle in the West-Riding of Yorkshire, London, 1781, 2nd edition; 100 pp. BOUND WITH: Smith, Henry Ecroyd, The Limestone Caves of Craven and their Ancient Inhabitants, Liverpool, 1866; 34 pp., frontis and 1 plate (coloured); 19th century quarter calf with marbled boards and lettered spine; with detailed collector record card and manuscript inked 'this Book belongs to / John Matthews / Kendal / 1840 in four lines and a florid hand to first work and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamps to titles of both. 270 grams, 21.5 x 14.5 cm

Near fine condition; hinges a little worn. Both works rare.

Ex libris John Matthews (Kendal 1840) and Dr Eli Simpson. Acquired Miss C M Rawdin, 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.