Natural History Books - Brady - The King's Caravan

Speight, H. (Johnnie Gray), The Craven and North-West Yorkshire Highlands, Elliot Stock, London, 1892, large paper copy; original quarter bound with cloth boards and lettered spine; 470 pp. + 1 p. [advertisement], illustrated; with detailed collector record card and engraved bookplate for 'John Norman Ambler' of Lawkland Hall to front inside board. 2.5 kg, 29.5 x 24.5 cm

Good condition; spine worn with small loss at top. Rare.

Ex libris John Norman Ambler. Acquired Yorkshire bookshop, 1966, January 2006. 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.

Brady, E. J., The King's Caravan Across Australia in a Wagon, Arnold, London, 1911; original pictorial cloth; x pp. + 339 pp. + 24 pp. [advertisements]; with pencilled 'Albert Maurice Brown / Marchants Farm / Bovingdon' to fep. 967 grams, 23 x 15 cm

Good condition; covers and spine soiled; text slightly strained.

Ex libris A M Brown. The property of Mr and Mrs P R 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.

Group comprising: three publications or offprints by T. Shikama with Japanese text (some with parts English), two illustrated; all in lettered wraps; each with inked manuscript 'To Dr Simpson / with the Compliments of / the author' presentation inscription to front covers. 434 grams total, 22 x 15.2 - 26.5 x 19.5 cm

Fine condition. Rare.

Author's presentation copies. Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson. 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.