Natural History Books - Various - Fiji and Tonga Titles

Group comprising: Anelli, Franco, Richerche Paletnologiche nella Grotta Betal presso Postumia, 1933 (2 copies); WITH Il Pozzo ossifero delle Cave di Ca Negra presso Punta Slavore nel Vallone di Sicciole, 1933 (2 copies); WITH Conetti di Deiezione di Oligocheti nella Grotta nera di Portumia, 1936; WITH Sfiatoi do Grotta nella Regione Carsica di Postumia, 1936; WITH Boegan, Eugenio, Sullo sviluppo delle richerche speleologiche nella Venezia Giula, 1930; WITH Sulle Explorazioni Speleologiche in Italia, 1933 (2 copies); WITH Catasto delle Grotte Italiane, 1930; WITH Spezzotti, L., Ralazione, 1945 (3 copies); some with detailed collector record cards and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamps to covers or titles. 717 grams total, 17 x 24.2 cm each

Generally fine condition. Most scarce.

The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Most 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.

Nisbet, Hume, A Colonial Tramp Travels and Adventures in Australia and New Guinea, Ward & Downey, London, 1896, new edition, 2 volumes in one; original pictorial cloth; 467 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and embossed 'W H SMITH & SON LONDON' stamp to fep. 740 grams, 20 x 13.5 cm

Good condition; covers and spine soiled.

Acquired Velvet Brown Books, Gloucestershire, November 2008. 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.

Watson, White, A Delineation of the Strata of Derbyshire forming the Surface from Bolsover in the East to Buxton in the West, Todd, Sheffield, 1811; original quarter bound with lettered boards; 76 pp., folding geological section and engraving of a vase in text; with detailed collector card with ink 'E SIMPSON' stamp to title and manuscript ink 'With Mr Grainger's Compliments / to E Simpson, Austwick 1937' presentation inscription to inside from board. 312 grams, 24 x 18.5 cm

Good condition; small tear to top of spine and boards soiled, some browning to pages. Very rare.

Ex libris Dr Eli Simpson (gift of M Grainger, 1937). Acquired by gift of Miss C M Rawdin. 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.