Natural History Books - Sydney Speleological Society - Communications, Volumes 1-2

A mixed group of reports and pamphlets on Victoria cave, Settle including a 1908 typescript exploration report by G.H. Brown; five subsequent reports and 1925 printed guide pamphlet on its history and exploration. 225 grams total,18.5 x 12.5 - 27 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.

MacLean, J. P., An Historical Archaeological and Geological Examination of Fingal's Cave in the Island of Staffa, Clarke, USA, 1890, subscriber's edition; original pictorial cloth; 49 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and Haverhill Public Library bookplate to front inside cover with embossed library stamp to title and associated adhesions to bep and back inside cover. 310 grams, 22.5 x 16.5 cm

Good condition; slightly loose; spine sunned. Rare.

Ex libris Haverhill Public Library (1891). Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, 1984. 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.

Hurtley, Thomas, A Concise Account of Some Natural Curiosities in the Environs of Malham in Craven Yorkshire, in papered boards (later?), pages untrimmed; 68 pp. + 199 pp. [appendices I-III], three folding plates (1 repaired); with detailed collector record cards and engraved bookplate for 'J Barber' and 'Boddy's Bookshop' label to inside front cover with pencilled 'Logographic Press - printed words / instead of individual letters. Vide "Yorkshire Library" / Crude method of including illustrations' to reverse of half title. 482 grams, 23 x 15 cm

Near fine condition; occasional slight foxing. Rare.

Ex libris J Barber. Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, 1985. 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.