Natural History Books - Casteret - The Darkness Under the Earth

[anonymous], Horrock's Handy Guide to the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves of NSW, Sydney, nd (1898), 2nd edition; later plain wraps with inked title with original printed wraps bound in; 120 pp., folding map (torn); with detailed collector record card and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamp to front cover. 187 grams, 22 x 14 cm

Good condition; map foxed and torn, wraps soiled, few page defects. 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 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.

Prinz, W., Les Cristallisations des Grottes de Belgique, Société Belge de Géologie, Brussels, 1908; later half calf and marbled boards with part front wrap laid on; 90 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamps to front cover and title. 526 grams, 31 x 25 cm

Fine condition; very slightly loose. Rare.

Ex libris 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.

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.

Hartwig, Dr. G., Marvels Under Our Feet, Longmans, London, 1888; pictorial cloth hardback, aeg; 144 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector card and inked stamps 'E SIMPSON', 'SPECIMEN COPY' and 'SPECIMEN COPY PRESENTED BY LONGMANS & CO' and partially erased ink 'Mabel Greenwood 1933' inscription to title. 346 grams, 18.6 x 13.1 cm

Good condition; binding slightly loose and spine sunned. Scarce.

Publisher's Specimen Copy. 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.