Natural History Books - Various - Fiji and Tonga Titles

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.

Various contributors, Communications, Sydney Speleological Society, Sydney, 1955 and 1956, issues 1 and 2; pictorial wraps, stapled roneo typescript text; 1st issue: 74 pp., illustrated; 2nd issue: 86 pp., illustrated BOUND WITH Orange Speleological Society 8 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card. 360 grams, 26.5 x 21 cm

Near fine condition. Very rare.

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.

Casteret, Norbert, E-A Martell Explorateur du Monde Souterrain, Gallimard, 1943, 1st edition; pictorial paperback with later glassine sleeve; 234 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and pencilled 'a Monsieur Henri Lelaige / ces jages consacres au createur / et a l'ajatre de la Speleologie / Avec mon [....] cordial sauvering / Norbert Casternet' or similar presentation inscription to fep. 275 grams, 21 x 14.5 cm

Fair condition; front cover detached, spine torn, paper browned and fragile; typical for the era. Rare.

Acquired 2007. 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.