LOT #45249 |
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H. G. Wells. The Time Machine: An Invention....
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Description
"THIS FIRST EDITION OF A BOOK HAS AMONG OTHER THINGS LAUNCHED DREAMS UPON THE SLIPPERY SLOPE OF THE FOURTH DIMENSION"
H. G. Wells. The Time Machine: An Invention. London:
William Heinemann, 1895.8vo. Half-title, 1 p. of ads on verso. Publisher's gray cloth, covers and spine stamped in brown.
FIRST ENGLISH EDITION, later issue. Bound in Currey's binding F (gray cloth stamped in brown; no inserted publisher's catalogue). PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR on half-title: "For Arthur Exley, This first edition of a book has among other things launched Dreams upon the slippery slope of the Fourth Dimension. H.G. Wells Oct. 16, 1941."
"There are significant differences in the text between the American edition of The Time Machine (Henry Holt & Co., New York, 1895) and the Heinemann edition. The Heinemann edition is the final and definitive version" (Hammond).
"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).
Condition: Spine slightly sunned; spine just leaned; rear cover warped. Foxing to endleaves; smudging to inscription (not affecting legibility) with minor ink transfer to front free endpaper verso; bookplate offsetting to front free endpaper.
References: Bleiler, The Early Years, 2325; Currey, pp. 524-525; Hammond B1; Locke I, p. 227; Wells 4; Wells Society 4.
Provenance: Arthur Exley (presentation inscription). From the collection of David Aronovitz.
Auction Info
2026 May 13 The David Aronovitz Collection of Important Science Fiction and Fantasy, Part I Rare Books Signature® Auction #6336 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
May, 2026
13th
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 4
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 542
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