Natural History Books - Thornycroft - The Story of Cheddar

Baring-Gould, S(abine), The Deserts of Southern France an Introduction to the Limestone and Chalk Plateaux of Ancient Aquitaine, Methuen, London, 1894, in 2 volumes; original pictorial cloth, illustrated; vol.1: xxii pp. + 296 pp.; vol.2: xii pp. + 303 pp. + 4 pp. [advertsiements]; with detailed collector record card 1.8 kg total, 23 x 16 cm each

Near fine condition; slight wear to hinges and spines darkened. Scarce.

Acquired Miton Books, Yorkshire, April 2005. Accompanied by a hand-written record card. 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.

Balch, Herbert E(rnest), Wookey Hole Its Caves and Cave Dwellers, OUP, 1914; original quarter cloth with pictorial boards; xiv pp. + 268 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamp and inked 'J Beresford' to fep. 2.1 kg, 32.3 x 26.5 cm

Good condition; corners bumped, spine sunned. Scarce.

Ex libris J Beresford and 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.

Bolam, A. G., The Trans-Australian Wonderland, Melbourne, nd (preface dated July 1924, 3rd edition; original pictorial card; 110 pp., illustrated with folding map; with detailed collector record card and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamp to title with inked 'Best Wishes / A Vickers' to inside front cover and pencilled '[uncertain name] / Kill House / July 1931' to title. 182 grams, 18.5 x 12.5 cm

Good condition; covers scruffy with some damage. 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.