Natural History Books - The Gritstone Club Journal, Volume IV(II)

Hill, Ernestine, The Great Australian Loneliness, Robertson and Mullens, Melbourne, 1945, 4th Australian reprint; original lettered cloth; 346 pp., maps to eps, illustrated; with detailed collector record card and pencilled ' P V Rose' to fep 570 grams, 22.2 x 14.5 cm

Fair condition; binding shaky, spine worn and sunned.

Family purchase, circa 1955. 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.

Pennington, Rooke, Notes on the Barrows and Bone-Caves of Derbyshire with an Account of a Descent into Eldon Hole, MacMillan, London, 1877; original buckram with lettered spine; 124 pp. + 36 pp. [advertisements]; with detailed collector record card and inked manuscript 'with the author's compliments' to title and 'Nicholas Reckert 29/4/1975' to half title. 473 grams, 22.7 x 15 cm

Near fine condition; spine slightly rubbed and soiled, hinges a little worn. Scarce.

Ex libris Nicholas Reckert, 1975. Acquired Anne Oldham, Wales, January 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, was when 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.

Towler, George, Views of Clapham Cave, privately published (?), n.d.; hardback portfolio lettered to front board containing twelve large photographic sepia prints mounted on boards with script captions titled: Cave Mouth, Eldon Hall (with a suited gentleman standing), Shower Bath, The Great Pillar, Shower Bath (different view), Beehive, Fortifications, Eldon Hall (different view), Pillar Hall, Reflections, Inverted Forest and Stalactites and Stalagmites; with 'E Simpson' ink stamp to inside front board and a collector record card. 2.01 kg, 40 x 34 cm

Fine condition, prints slightly aged; portfolio lacings worn. Very rare, possibly unique.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson. 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.