Natural History Books - Roberts - History of Wetton Thor's Cave and Ecton Mines

Mawe, J., Familiar Lessons on Mineralogy and Geology, London, 1821, 3rd edition; original papered boards; viii pp. + 105 pp. + 1 p. [advertisement], illustrated )coloured); with detailed collector record card and inked 'E SIMPSON' stamp to title. 213 grams, 19 x 12 cm

Near fine condition; spine hinges worn and some small marks to binding.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson. Acquired by gift of Miss C M Rawdin, 1982. 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.

Martell, E. A., Les Abimes les Eaux Souterraines les Cavernes les Sources la Spélaeologie, Paris 1894; original quarter calf with cloth boards; viii pp. + 580 pp., French text, illustrated, some folding plates and with frontis; with detailed collector record card. 2.75 kg, 31.3 x 23 cm

Fine condition; spine slightly sunned and minimal light browning to page edges. Rare and a lovely copy.

Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, December 2982. 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 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.