Natural History Books - Brown - The Clapham Cave

Howson, William, An Illustrated Guide to the Curiosities of Craven, Whittaker, London, 1850; original blind cloth lettered; xxiv pp. + 134 pp., folding map (loose) and illustrated; with detailed collector record card and ink manuscript 'Nicholas Reckert 1974' inscription to fep. 202 grams, 18.5 x 11 cm

Near fine condition; slightly loose. Rare.

Ex libris Nicholas Reckert, 1974. Acquired Tony Oldham by exchange, 1986. 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.

Taylor, Dr J. E., Our Island Continent a Naturalist's Holiday in Australia, SPCK, 1886; original pictorial cloth; 256 pp. + 4 pp. [advertisements], folding coloured map; with detailed collector record car and printed 'St Edmund's School Sarum' prize label for May 1898 to fep. 325 grams, 17.2 x 12 cm

Good condition; map torn at folds and with piece detached. Scarce.

Ex libris Alfred Barwell (St Edmund's School, Sarum prize, May 1898). Acquired Krokodile Books, Australia, February 2010. 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.