Natural History Books - Shikama - Japanese Speleological Titles

A group of guidebooks and pamphlets relating to Jenolan Caves including Dunkley, J.R., Jenolan Caves as they were in the Nineteenth Century (1986). 820 grams total, 12 x 18.7 - 26.3 x 32 cm



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.

Group comprising: Smeaton, Oliphant, The Treasure Cave of the Blue Mountains, nd; pictorial cloth; WITH Souvenir of New South Wales Blue Mountain Scenery, Series No.2, nd; pictorial wraps, illustrated; WITH Souvenir of Our Visit to the Blue Mountains, nd; lettered wraps, illustrated; WITH Bechervaise, John, Blue Mountains Sketchbook, Rigby, 1971; cloth with dustwrapper, illustrated; WITH Booker, Jo, A Pictorial History of the Blue Mountains, nd, pictorial wraps, illustrated; WITH Watkins, Paul, A Portrait of the City of Blue Mountains, RBA, 1988, cloth with dustwrapper, illustrated. 1.76 kg total, 19 x 12.2 - 32 x 23.7 cm

Generally good to fine condition.

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.

Group comprising: Trickett, O., Guide to Yarrangobilly Vaves, Geological Survey, NSW, nd, 2 copies: 1st(?) and 2nd editions; pictorial wraps; illustrated; WITH Brotherus, Dr V. F. and Watts, Rev W. Walter, The Mosses of Yarrangobilly Caves District NSW, Linnean Society NSW, vol.xxxvii, pt.2, 1912 (offprint with presentation inscription); lettered wraps (detached); WITH Kerry's Australian Postcards, Series 102, Yarrangobilly Caves NSW, printed Germany, nd; printed envelope with 12 monochrome pictorial postcards; WITH Jennings, J. N. and Anderson, N., Water Tracing at Yarrangobilly, Canberra Speleological Society, 23 May 1966; 2 page typescript; the offprint with detailed collector record card. 377 grams total, 16 x 12.5 - 25 x 18 cm

Generally good to fine condition. All scarce.

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.