Natural History Books - Nisbet - A Colonial Tramp

Siffre, Michel, Dans les Abimes de la Terre, Flammarion, France, 1975; cloth with dustwrapper; 303 pp., French text, illustrated (some colour). 1 kg, 26.7 x 18.7 cm

Near fine condition; small tear to dw.

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.

Westall, William, Views of the Caves near Ingleton, Gordale Scar and Malham Cove, John Murray, London, 1818 (only edition); modern half calf with marbled boards by Period Binders, Bath (1985); 8 pp. text to accompany the 12 superb plates (modern tissue guards) captioned: Dovecote Gill Cave (south entrance), Entrance to Yordas Cave, Yordas Cave (looking towards entrance), Stalactites in Yordas Cave, Trees Above Weathercote Cave, Waterfall in Weathercote Cave, Weathercote Cave, Weathercoate Cave (from south side), Gatekirk Cave (looking from north entrance), Malham Cove, Approach to Gordale and Gordale Scar; most plates include human figures for scale; with collector record cards giving full details. 1.01 kg, 39.5 x 27.5 cm

Fine condition. Rare and a classic work.

Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, October 1984. 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.

Group comprising papers by E. A. Martell: L'Aven Armand, 1897; stapled pictorial wraps (spine taped), illustrated; WITH Sous Terre (Sixieme Campagne), offprint from l'Annuaire de Club Alpine, Vol.20, 1894; sewn lettered wraps, illustrated, folding map; WITH The Land of the Caesars, offprint from Appalachia, Vol.VII, (2 papers), 1893; lettered wraps with author present inscription to front, illustrated; WITH Les Cavernes des Gres Triasiques de Brive, 1907; stapled lettered wraps, illustrated; WITH Le Tindoul de la Vayssiere, offprint from Revue de Geographie, Vol.XXX, June 1893; folded sheet, illustrated; WITH L'OEuvre Scientifique de l'Abbe Ludovic Gaurier, 1932; stapled lettered wraps; WITH Explorations Souterraines sur le Causse Mejean, item within Revue Trimestrielle Illustree, 40th year, Vol.6, Nos.1 and 2, 1933; stapled; WITH Martell and van den Broeck, Nouvelles Researches et Constations a Han-sur-Lesse, offprint from Societe Belge de Geologie, Vol.XII, 1898; stapled lettered wraps; most with detailed collector record cards. 454 grams total, 22 x 13.7 - 25 x 16.5 cm

Generally good to fine condition. Some rare.

Most ex libris Dr E Simpson. 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.