Natural History Books - Casteret - The Darkness Under the Earth

Palmer, W. T., The Complete Hill Walker Rock Climber and Cave Explorer, Pitman, London, 1934; original lettered cloth; xi pp. + 219 pp. + 32 pp [advertisements], illustrated; with a detailed collector record card. 599 grams, 22 x 14.5 cm

Near pristine condition. Scarce.

Acquired John L Capes, Cleveland, September 2007. 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.

Martell, E. A., Padirac et les Gorges du Tarn, Rennes, 1905; wraps; 16 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and 'E SIMPSON' stamp to front cover. 115 grams, 33 x 25 cm

Good condition; folded.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson. Gift of Miss C M Rawdin, 1982. The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by 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.

Group comprising: Hamer, John L., The Falls and Caves of Ingleton, 1946 (2 copies); stapled pictorial wraps, illustrated, folding map; with White Scare Cave a Pictorial Guide, 1962; stapled pictorial wraps, illustrated; with White Scar Cave Ingleton under Ingleborough Yorkshire, nd (2 copies); stapled lettered card, illustrated; with Newly Discovered White Scar Caverns Ingleton, nd (2 copies); stapled lettered wraps, illustrated; with White Scar Caves, 1030s (3 copies, 2 issues); stapled lettered wraps, illustrated; with Sweeting, M. M., Erosion Cycles and Limestone Caverns in the Ingleborough District, extracted from Geological Journal, Vol.115; disbound, illustrated; some with detailed collector record cards. 567 grams total, 18.5 x 12.5 - 25 x 15.5 cm

Good to fine condition. Some scarce.

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.