Wells, H[erbert] G[eorge]. THE TIME MACHINE: AN INVENTION .. William Heinemann, London, 1895.

Price: US$10000.00 + shipping

Description: Small octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-151 [152] + [16]-page publisher's catalogue with first page headed "THE MANXMAN" inserted at rear, original decorated tan buckram, front and spine panels stamped in purple, publisher's monogram stamped in purple on rear panel, top and fore edges untrimmed, bottom edge rough trimmed. Laid in is a card with a short note written and signed by Wells in his hand to MacKenzie Bell, literary editor, regarding George Gissing, a good friend of Wells. friend of Wells. The author's first SF novel. "Many rank it as Wells's best book, certainly its qualities are striking and direct . All time-travel stories since owe a debt to Wells, none has become so acclaimed." - Bleiler (ed), Science Fiction Writers, p. 26. "THE TIME MACHINE might be considered the first work of modern science-fiction, and it is still the classic statement of an important subgenre . A remarkable work, and necessary reading." - Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 2325. The Heinemann edition is preceded by the U.S. Holt edition, which has a different text, presumably from an earlier version of the story, this edition is considered the better text. Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 2-161; (1981) 1-171; (1987) 1-103; (1995) 1-103; and (2004) II-1232. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 800. Clarke, Tale of the Future (1978), p. 21. Lewis, Utopian Literature, p. 207. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 227. Negley, Utopian Literature: A Bibliography 1175. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 107. Survey of Science Fiction Literature V, pp. 2287-92. Suvin, Victorian Science Fiction in the UK, pp. 62-3. Bleiler (1978), p. 205. Reginald 15085. Currey, p. 525 (binding B, catalogue 1). Hammond B1. Wells 4. Wolff 7107. Mild foxing to end papers, mild darkening to spine, a clean nearly fine to fine copy. Now housed in a custom clamshell box. Mild foxing to end papers, mild darkening to spine, a clean nearly fine to fine copy. Now housed in a custom clamshell box. (30414) First British edition, first binding, earliest form of inserted publisher's catalogue.

Seller: John W. Knott, Jr, Bookseller, ABAA/ILAB, Laurel, MD, U.S.A.

Wells, H.G.. The Time Machine. William Heinemann, London, 1895.

Price: US$17500.00 + shipping

Condition: Fine

Description: First Edition, First Printing with 16 pages of undated advertisements inserted at rear of the book. This copy is SIGNED by H.G. Wells on an H.G. Wells card laid into the book. Inscribed by the author is a short handwritten note on the verso to his mistress, Baroness Moura Budberg. A wonderful copy bound in the publisher's ORIGINAL brown/tan cloth. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning and the boards are crisp with minor wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A beautiful copy SIGNED by the author. We buy H.G. Wells First Editions.

Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.

Wells, H[erbert] G[eorge]. THE TIME MACHINE: AN INVENTION .. William Heinemann, London, 1895.

Price: US$45000.00 + shipping

Description: Small octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-151 [152], original decorated tan cloth, front and rear panels stamped in purple, spine panel stamped in light blue; binding measures 18.2 cm vertically; "HEINEMANN" at base of spine set in 12-point type; top edge uncut, fore and bottom edges rough trimmed. First British edition, second cloth binding, no inserted publisher's catalogue. Signed by Wells on the half title page. The author's first SF novel. "Many rank it as Wells's best book, certainly its qualities are striking and direct . All time-travel stories since owe a debt to Wells, none has become so acclaimed." - Bleiler (ed), Science Fiction Writers, p. 26. "THE TIME MACHINE might be considered the first work of modern science-fiction, and it is still the classic statement of an important subgenre . A remarkable work, and necessary reading." - Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 2325. Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 2-161; (1981) 1-171; (1987) 1-103; (1995) 1-103; and (2004) II-1232. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 800. Clarke, Tale of the Future (1978), p. 21. Lewis, Utopian Literature, p. 207. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 227. Negley, Utopian Literature: A Bibliography 1175. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 107. Survey of Science Fiction Literature V, pp. 2287-92. Suvin, Victorian Science Fiction in the UK, pp. 62-3. Bleiler (1978), p. 205. Reginald 15085. Currey (2002), p. 424 (binding C). Hammond B1. Wells 4. Neatly signed and dated 1904 in pencil by an early owner on the front free endpaper. Tipped onto the front paste-down is a lengthy letter of provenance detailing where and when this copy was signed by Wells (17 January 1939 at a P.E.N. Club dinner). Hint of tanning to spine panel, some mild spotting to front free endpaper and darkening to rear endpapers, a nearly fine copy. A lovely copy with a bright, clean and unworn binding. THE TIME MACHINE is rarely found inscribed or signed by Wells. (#151827)

Seller: Currey, L.W. Inc. ABAA/ILAB, Elizabethtown, NY, U.S.A.