Natural History Books - Martell - Les Abimes

Balch, H. E., The Caves of Mendip, Somerset Folk Series 26, Folk Press, London, 1926; pictorial wraps; 82 pp., illustrated (some folding); with detailed collector card. 173 grams, 18 x 12.5 cm

Fine condition; spine lightly sunned.

Acquired T R Shaw, 1967. 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.

Petersen, Marie Bjelke, The Captive Singer, Hodder & Stoughton, nd (understood to be 1917); original lettered cloth; 308 pp., illustrated; with a detailed collector record card and ink manuscript 'W M Opankcombe(?) / Red Hill / 16 3 18' inscription. 413 grams, 19.4 x 13.5 cm

Near fine condition; light foxing and external wear.

Ex libris W M Francombe (1918). Acquired Astrolabe Books, Australia, January 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.

Group comprising: Tiddeman, R. H., Report of the Victoria Cave Exploration Committee, offprints from British Association for Advancement of Science, 2rd-6th Reports, 1874-1878; sewn wraps, with On the Age of the Hyena-Bed at the Victoria Cave Settle and its Bearing on the Antiquity of Man, offprint from Journal of the Anthropological Institute, November 1877; sewn; with, The Work and Problems of the Victoria Cave Exploration, offprint from Geological and Polytechnic Society of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1875; sewn lettered wraps; with Brown, Geo. H., Victoria Cave its History and Exploration,1903; stapled lettered wraps, illustrated; some with detailed collector record cards. 179 grams total, 18.5 x 12 - 21.5 x 14 cm

Generally fine condition. Some rare.

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.