Natural History Books - Martell - Padirac et les Gorges du Tarn - 1905

Verschuur, G., At the Antipodes Travels in Australia New Zealand Fiji Islands the New Hebrides New Caledonia and South America 1888-1889, Sampson, Low Marston, London, 1891; original pictorial cloth; ix pp. + 333 pp., coloured folding map frontis and illustrated; with detailed collector record card and inked manuscript 'Louisa ? / 5th March 1900' inscription to title and pencilled dealer notes to fep. 5.7 kg total, 19.5 x 14 cm

Near fine condition; spine lightly sunned and small tear at map fold. Scarce.

Acquired J & S L Bonham, London, November 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.

Group comprising: Brown, Geo. H., Victoria Cave its History and Exploration, 1925; stapled pictorial wraps figure; WITH The Ebbing and Flowing Well Giggleswick, 3 copies, 2 editions; stapled pictorial or lettered wraps (weak), illustrated; WITH Richard Frankland the Founder of the Rathmell Academy, 1912; stapled lettered wraps; WITH Keith, Sir Arthur, History from the Caves a New Theory of the Origin of Modern Races of Mankind, Presidential Address, British Speleological Association, 25 July 1936; stapled lettered wraps; some with detailed collector record cards. 257 grams total, 18 x 11.5 - 22 x 14 cm

Generally good to fine condition. Some scarce.

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.

[Sail, C. R.}, Farthest East and South and West Notes on a Journey Through Japan Australia and America by an Anglo-Indian Globe-Trotter, Allen, London, 1892; original pictorial cloth; ix pp. + 343 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and old bookplate to inside front cover (papered over). 884 grams, 22.8 x 16 cm

Near fine condition; slight binding wear.

Acquired South Sea Books, New Zealand, February 2010. 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.