Natural History Books - Martell - Irelande et Cavernes Anglaises

A group of pamphlets and reports comprising: Pengelly, W.The ancient Cave-men of Devonshire unattributed offprint, 1872; The Brochs of Mousa and Clickhimin HMSO 1973; Tratman, B.D.S. Report of B.U.S.S. Excavations in Ireland in 1928; Welch, F.B.A. The Geological Structure of the Blackdown Pericline (1932); Reynolds, S.H. The Geology of the Bristol District (1933). 456 grams total, 18.5 x 13 - 26.5 x 21 cm



The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members.

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.

Casteret, Norbert, The Darkness Under the Earth, Dent, London, 1954; original cloth; 14 pp. + 168 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card, small 'ANGUS & ROBERTSON' Sydney bookseller label to inside front cover and inked 'P V Rose / 1955' to fep. 459 grams, 22 x 14.5 cm

Fine condition.

Acquired new by gift from family friend George Baker via Angus & Robertson, Sydney, Australia, 1955. 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.

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.