Natural History Books - Trickettt - Australia, Jenolan Caves

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.

Petersen, Marie Bjelke, The Captive Singer, Hodder & Stoughton, nd (understood to be 1917); original lettered cloth; 308 pp., illustrated; with a detailed collector record card and ink manuscript 'W M Opankcombe(?) / Red Hill / 16 3 18' inscription. 413 grams, 19.4 x 13.5 cm

Near fine condition; light foxing and external wear.

Ex libris W M Francombe (1918). Acquired Astrolabe Books, Australia, January 2009. 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.

Morris, E. E., Cassell's Picturesque Australia, Volume II Cassell, 1888; original pictorial cloth, aeg; viii pp. + 309 pp., illustrated; with a detailed collector card and copy of another. 1.29 kg, 27 x 20.2 cm

Fair condition; binding loose and worn, sections separating. Scarce.

Acquired Antiquarian Fine Books, Australia, April 2005. The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by two record cards 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.