Natural History Books - Hurley - Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves

Coghlan, T. A., Picturesque New South Wales and Illustrated Guide for the Settler and Tourist, Sydney, 1901; original papered hardback; iv pp. + 123 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card. 468 grams, 25.5 x 19.5 cm

Good condition; binding soiled, spine rubbed and eps browned.

Acquired Leigh Gallery Books, Essex, September 2009. 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.

[Anonymous], The Gritstone Clube, Volume 4, No. II, Gaskarth, Bradford, nd (believed 1934); original pictorial wraps; 35 pp. text, 11 mounted photographs and folding plan of Diccan Pot, Alum Pot and Long Churn (surveyed E Simpson, 1933); with detailed collector record card and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamp to front cover. 213 grams, 25.5 x 15.5 cm

Fine condition. Rare.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson. Acquired Miss C M Rawdin. 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.

Mawe, John, New Descriptive Catalogue on Minerals with Diagrams of their Simple Forms, Longman, London, 1825; original half cloth with lettered spine; xx pp. + 178 pp. + 2 pp. [advertisements], with diagrams; with inked 'E SIMPSON' stamp to fep and neatly inked numbers and annotations to some of the entries (probably relating to the personal mineral collection of an early owner). 245 grams, 17.5 x 11.5 cm

Generally fine condition; hinges slightly worn.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson. Acquired Miss C M Rawdin. 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.