Natural History Books - Hutton - Tour to the Caves in the Environs of Ingleborough and Settle

Adam, W., The Gem of the Peak or Matlock Bath and its Vicinity, Longman, London, 1845; original blind cloth lettered; xviii pp., [pp.4], 438 pp., [4 pp. advertisements] with 2 folding maps (first with tear) and illustrated with plates and in text; with detailed collector card and inked 'MR CHARLES R PEASE JR' to fep and manuscript ink 'M Harrison' to title. 497 grams, 19.5 x 12.5 cm

Generally fine condition. Scarce.

Ex libris M Harrison and Charles R Pease Jnr. Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, March 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.

MacLean, J. P., An Historical Archaeological and Geological Examination of Fingal's Cave in the Island of Staffa, Clarke, USA, 1890, subscriber's edition; original pictorial cloth; 49 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and Haverhill Public Library bookplate to front inside cover with embossed library stamp to title and associated adhesions to bep and back inside cover. 310 grams, 22.5 x 16.5 cm

Good condition; slightly loose; spine sunned. Rare.

Ex libris Haverhill Public Library (1891). Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, 1984. 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.

Winder, Francis A., An Unconventional Guide to the Caves of Castleton and District, Sheffield, 1938; pictorial wraps; 81 pp., illustrated; with a detailed collector record card and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamps to cover and tiles and inked manuscript 'With the Author's / compliments / July 1938' presentation inscription to fep. 158 grams, 19 x 12.6 cm

Near fine condition; light soiling to binding. Scarce.

Author's Presentation Copy (1938). 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.