Natural History Books - Sail - Farthest East, South and West

Group comprising: Mitchell, W. R., The Hollow Mountains, 1961; stapled pictorial card, illustrated; with Hamer, John L., The Falls and Caves of Inglestone, 1947, reprint; stapled pictorial wraps, illustrated, folding map; with Raistrick, A., Excavations at Sewell's Cave Settle W Yorkshire, offprint from University of Durham Philosophical Society, Vol.IX, Pt.4, pp.191-204, 1937; stapled lettered wraps, illustrated; with Simpson, E., Notes on the Formation of the Yorkshire Caves and Pot-Holes, offprint from University of Bristol Speleological Society, No.3, Vol.4, October 1935; stapled lettered wraps, illustrated; WITH Brown, Geo. M., The Tourist at Settle, May 1921, map; with Brown, Geo. M., Diary of the Ebbing & Flowing Well Giggleswick near Settle, 1900; stapled pictorial wraps; with Newly Discovered White Scare Caverns Ingleton, 1930s; stapled lettered card, illustrated; WITH Gleave, J. J., Yorkshire Caves, circa 1900; stapled lettered wraps (front detached), with author's compliments inscription (30/5/[19]04); with Brown, Geo. M., Over the Oldest Ground in Yorkshire, 1913; stapled pictorial wraps, illustrated; with The Chronicle Settle and District, Nos.5 and 6, August and September 1894; stapled lettered wraps; most with detailed collector record cards. 472 grams total, 18.3 x 12.5 - 24 x 15.2 cm

Most near fine condition; light soiling to some covers.

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.

Woods, Rev Julian Edmund, Geological Observations in South Australia Principally in the District South-East of Adelaide, Longman, London, 1862; original lettered cloth; xviii pp. + 404 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and inked manuscript 'John H Hill / from his friend / N Batt(?) / August 1860' inscription to half title. 740 grams, 23 x 15.2 cm

Good condition; binding slightly loose. Rare.

Ex libris John H Hill. Acquired Adelaide Booksellers, Australia, 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.

Wilson, G. H., Cave Hunting Holidays in Peakland, Edmunds, Chesterfield, nd (circa 1935); pictorial wraps; 93 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector card and inked presentation inscription to 'W A Cooper' on title. 133 grams, 18 x 12.5 cm

Fine condition.

Ex libris W A Cooper (gift from author 1936). Acquired M B Books, Bath, July 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.