Natural History Books - Mitchell - Yorkshire Caves and Potholes, Volumes 1 and 2

Mitchell, Maj. T. L., Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia with Descriptions of the Recently Explored Region of Australia Felix and of the Present Colony of New South Wales, Boone, London, 1839, 2 volumes; rebacked half calf with cloth boards with original spines laid; vol.1: xxi pp. + 354 pp. (of 355), illustrated, coloured frontis (lacking folding map and 1 plate); vol.2: ix pp. + 415 pp., illustrated (some folding); with detailed collector record card and 'CITY of PRAHAN FREE LIBRARY' embossed stamps to front covers and inked stamps to eps, title and throughout. 1.63 kg total, 21.5 x 14.5 cm each

Generally good condition; with faults. Rare.

Ex libris City of Prahan Free Library. Acquired Grant's Bookshop, Australia, July 2006. 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.

Kissam, Philip, Surveying Instruments and Methods, McGraw-Hill, 1956, 2nd edition; original cloth; 482 pp., illustrated; WITH Ordnance Survey, Field Archaeology, HMSO, 1963, 4th edition; 176 pp. 1.25 kg total, 23.5 x 16 - 24 x 16 cm

First fine condition; second near fine.

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.

Hartwig, Dr. G., Marvels Under Our Feet, Longmans, London, 1888; pictorial cloth hardback, aeg; 144 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector card and inked stamps 'E SIMPSON', 'SPECIMEN COPY' and 'SPECIMEN COPY PRESENTED BY LONGMANS & CO' and partially erased ink 'Mabel Greenwood 1933' inscription to title. 346 grams, 18.6 x 13.1 cm

Good condition; binding slightly loose and spine sunned. Scarce.

Publisher's Specimen Copy. 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.