THE forthcoming antiquarian book sale on March 15 at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood has something on offer for everyone, but for Cornish book collectors there is a gem on offer — the Harold Bowden collection of Cornish books, which includes over 100 lots of Cornish Books including some extremely rare examples.

Born in Gunnislake and raised in Callington, Harold Bowden moved to Paignton in the early 1960s to run two family gift shops.

In the mid 1970s he returned to Looe and it was at this time that he started his 50 year passion that resulted in a substantial library of Cornish books.

It is not known what started Harold Bowden’s fascination with Cornish books, but he was very proud of being Cornish and had worked the family tree back to 1750, using only Somerset House, National Census and Kelly’s Directory.

The collection, which includes most of the ‘high points’ i.e. Carew (first edition), Norden, Borlase, Gilbert etc. was amassed from auctions and shops, both in the UK and America.

Two of Harold’s uncles emigrated to America to work in the mines and during his retirement, Harold visited them, spending a great deal of time in Michigan.

Harold remained an avid Cornish book collector until his death in 2009.

One of the many highlights of the collection is Philip Rashleigh’s Specimens of British Minerals (BK17/584). Being two volumes bound in one, with 53 hand coloured plates of minerals, this excellent copy of this scarce early illustrated work on mineralogy dated 1797-1802 is estimated at £3,500 to £5,000.

Philip Rashleigh, Cornish landowner, antiquary, mineral collector, formed one of the most outstanding early collections of mineral specimens, which is now housed in the Royal Cornwall Museum.

A duplicate collection formed by his nephew William Rashleigh was acquired by the British Museum. This work describes the best specimens — few collections can boast so many scientifically important specimens. This book with its fine hand coloured engravings stands as one of the finest hand coloured books ever published.

Also on offer from this collection is William Pryce’s Mineralogia Cornubiensis — A Treatise on Minerals, Mines and Mining (BK17/580), dated 1778.

William Pryce was an apothecary and surgeon, from Redruth, he owned part of Dolcoath Mine. This pivotal work was the first of such published on Cornish mining and has never been surpassed. This is probably the most important early work on Cornish mining and carries a pre-sale estimate of £700 to £1,000

Other highlights include George Clement Boase’s Collectanea Cornubiensis, a collection of biographical and topographical notes relating to the county of Cornwall (BK17/507) which is magnificently re-bound in half calf with marbled boards, Truro, 1890 which is estimated at £400 to £600, Thomas Bond’s Topographical and Historical Sketches of the Boroughs of East and West Looe, dated 1823, this scarce volume is inviting bids of £200 to 300 and Edward Twycross’s The Mansions of England and Wales — County of Cornwall (BK17/597), dated 1847 — this rare edition not in Boase & Courtney is inviting bids of £600 to £800.

This is just a small selection of rare Cornish volumes on offer in this antiquarian book auction, including multiple lots — the full catalogue can be viewed online at www.bhandl.co.uk or printed catalogues are available from the saleroom 01392 413100.

The sale is on view on Saturday, March 11, 9am to noon, Monday, March 13, 9am to 5.15pm and Tuesday, March 14, 9am to 5.15pm.