Natural History Books - Various - Fiji and Tonga Titles

Balch, Herbert E(rnest), Wookey Hole Its Caves and Cave Dwellers, OUP, 1914; original quarter cloth with pictorial boards and dustwrapper; xiv pp. + 268 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card. 2.19 kg, 32.5 x 26.5 cm

Fine condition; dw sunned and torn.

Acquired Tony Oldham, Wales, October 1983. 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.

Coghlan, T. A., Picturesque New South Wales and Illustrated Guide for the Settler and Tourist, Sydney, 1901; original papered hardback; iv pp. + 123 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card. 468 grams, 25.5 x 19.5 cm

Good condition; binding soiled, spine rubbed and eps browned.

Acquired Leigh Gallery Books, Essex, September 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.

Group comprising: Thornycroft, L. B., The Story of Wookey Hole in Fact Fiction and Photo, 1948; pictorial wraps (text loose from cover), illustrated, folding map; with Bell, Alan, Wookey Hole the Cave and its Story, (1934); pictorial wraps, illustrated; with Balche, H. E., Excavations at Wookey Hole and Other Mendip Caves, extracted from Archaeologia, 1927; disbound, illustrated; with Balch, H. E., The Mendip Hills Their Geology Caverns & Antiquities, nd (circa 1920s); typescript text in sewn card binder; most with detailed collector record cards. 381 grams total, 19 x 12.5 - 26.7 x 21 cm

Good to fine condition.

The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by hand-written 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.