Natural History Books - Martell - Irelande et Cavernes Anglaises

Forwood, W. Stump, An Historical and Descriptive Narrative of the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, Lippincott, USA, 1870; original lettered cloth; 225 pp. + 1 p. [advertisement], illustrated; with detailed collector record card and lightly pencilled initials to title. 507 grams, 19.5 x 13.5 cm

Near fine condition; hinges lightly rubbed. Scarce.

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 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.

Ballou, Maturin M., Travels Under the Southern Cross, Houghton Mifflin, nd (believed 1888), 2nd edition; original pictorial cloth; xi pp. + 405 pp.; with detailed collector record card and printed bookplate typed for 'ERVIN E REED' to inside front cover and same name pencilled to fep. 613 grams, 20.5 x 13.5 cm

Near fine condition.

Ex libris Ervin E Reed. Acquired Grand Fallon Books, USA, October 2008. 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.