Natural History Books - Coghlan - Picturesque New South Wales

Morris, E. E., Cassell's Picturesque Australia, Volume II Cassell, 1888; original pictorial cloth, aeg; viii pp. + 309 pp., illustrated; with a detailed collector card and copy of another. 1.29 kg, 27 x 20.2 cm

Fair condition; binding loose and worn, sections separating. Scarce.

Acquired Antiquarian Fine Books, Australia, April 2005. The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by two 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.

Group comprising: Thornycroft, L. B., The Story of Wookey Hole in Fact Fiction and Photo, 1948; pictorial wraps (text loose from cover), illustrated, folding map; with Bell, Alan, Wookey Hole the Cave and its Story, (1934); pictorial wraps, illustrated; with Balche, H. E., Excavations at Wookey Hole and Other Mendip Caves, extracted from Archaeologia, 1927; disbound, illustrated; with Balch, H. E., The Mendip Hills Their Geology Caverns & Antiquities, nd (circa 1920s); typescript text in sewn card binder; most with detailed collector record cards. 381 grams total, 19 x 12.5 - 26.7 x 21 cm

Good to fine condition.

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.

Group comprising: Brown, Geo. H., Victoria Cave its History and Exploration, 1925; stapled pictorial wraps figure; WITH The Ebbing and Flowing Well Giggleswick, 3 copies, 2 editions; stapled pictorial or lettered wraps (weak), illustrated; WITH Richard Frankland the Founder of the Rathmell Academy, 1912; stapled lettered wraps; WITH Keith, Sir Arthur, History from the Caves a New Theory of the Origin of Modern Races of Mankind, Presidential Address, British Speleological Association, 25 July 1936; stapled lettered wraps; some with detailed collector record cards. 257 grams total, 18 x 11.5 - 22 x 14 cm

Generally 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.