Natural History Books - Speight - Craven and North-West Yorkshire Highlands

A group of pamphlets and reports comprising: Pengelly, W.The ancient Cave-men of Devonshire unattributed offprint, 1872; The Brochs of Mousa and Clickhimin HMSO 1973; Tratman, B.D.S. Report of B.U.S.S. Excavations in Ireland in 1928; Welch, F.B.A. The Geological Structure of the Blackdown Pericline (1932); Reynolds, S.H. The Geology of the Bristol District (1933). 456 grams total, 18.5 x 13 - 26.5 x 21 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.

Buckland, Rev. William, Reliquae Diluvianae or Observations on the Organic Remains Contained in Caves, Fissures and Diluvial Gravel and on Other Geological Phenomena, John Murray, London, 1823, 1st edition; modern half calf with marbled boards, page edges uncut, vii pp.+ 303 pp. with 27 fine plates (some folding, some coloured) and index; with 8-page list of John Murray publications dated 1823 bound in at back; with collector record card providing full details and with inked inscription to fep for Nicholas Reckert (dated 26/8/1975) as 'Bought (disbound) with the library of Sir Marcus Worsley'. 1.4 kg, 29.5 x 23.5 cm

Generally fine; title soiled. Rare and a classic work.

Ex libris Sir Marcus Worsley and Nicholas Reckert (1975). Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, February 1986. 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.

Brown, George H., The Clapham Cave, Lambert, Settle, 1905; lettered wraps; 28 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector card. 54 grams, 18.5 x 12.3 cm

Near fine condition; spine sunned. Scarce.

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.