The First Men in the Moon -
H. G. Wells
1901 - George Newnes, London - First English Edition, first state binding
A superior copy of this science fiction landmark. Wells’ wonderful 1901 tale of space travel, featuring twelve black and white illustrations by Claude Shepperson. The novel was heavily criticised upon publication due to its fantastical ideas but was later recognised as a milestone of the genre.
‘Written with astonishing animation and lucidity.’ – G. K. Chesterton
When Dr Cavor, a brilliant but absent-minded scientist, accidentally creates a gravity-defying substance, he and his companion – a penniless businessman named Mr Bedford who has retreated to the coast of Kent to write a play – journey to the moon. While the materialistic Bedford is driven by possible fortune and Cavor by his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, neither man is prepared for what they discover: an alien world where a frightening race of biologically engineered creatures will go to sinister lengths to defend their planet. “After ‘The First Men in the Moon’, Wells's science fiction novels are never quite the same." – Bleiler, Science Fiction Writers,.
H. G. Wells, after failing an apprenticeship as a draper, became a teacher (one of his students being A. A. Milne) he then won a scholarship to the Normal School of Science (now Imperial College, London).
The first edition appeared in three binding states (Currey A, B, & C), the first in dark blue cloth decorated and lettered in gilt, with black endpapers, the second in same cloth and gilt but with white endpapers, and the third in lighter blue cloth decorated and lettered in black, and with white endpapers. This copy is in the preferred first state binding (Currey A).
References: Currey, Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors, 518. Bleiler, The Checklist of Science Fiction and Supernatural Fiction 1978. Bleiler, Science Fiction Writers, 28. Penguin Random House, web. Rogers, Classical Traditions in Science-Fiction 2015. Geoffrey H. Wells [18]. Shorter New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature 1293-8.
Octavo (books size 20x13.6cm), pp. vii [1] 342 [2]. First state binding of dark blue cloth decorated and lettered in gilt to upper cover and spine, black coated endpapers. Condition: Near fine, minor toning to spine, gilt bright and clear, internally clean throughout, light foxing to fore and lower edges of text block. Ref: 112149 Price: HK$ 16,000
‘Written with astonishing animation and lucidity.’ – G. K. Chesterton
When Dr Cavor, a brilliant but absent-minded scientist, accidentally creates a gravity-defying substance, he and his companion – a penniless businessman named Mr Bedford who has retreated to the coast of Kent to write a play – journey to the moon. While the materialistic Bedford is driven by possible fortune and Cavor by his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, neither man is prepared for what they discover: an alien world where a frightening race of biologically engineered creatures will go to sinister lengths to defend their planet. “After ‘The First Men in the Moon’, Wells's science fiction novels are never quite the same." – Bleiler, Science Fiction Writers,.
H. G. Wells, after failing an apprenticeship as a draper, became a teacher (one of his students being A. A. Milne) he then won a scholarship to the Normal School of Science (now Imperial College, London).
The first edition appeared in three binding states (Currey A, B, & C), the first in dark blue cloth decorated and lettered in gilt, with black endpapers, the second in same cloth and gilt but with white endpapers, and the third in lighter blue cloth decorated and lettered in black, and with white endpapers. This copy is in the preferred first state binding (Currey A).
References: Currey, Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors, 518. Bleiler, The Checklist of Science Fiction and Supernatural Fiction 1978. Bleiler, Science Fiction Writers, 28. Penguin Random House, web. Rogers, Classical Traditions in Science-Fiction 2015. Geoffrey H. Wells [18]. Shorter New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature 1293-8.
Octavo (books size 20x13.6cm), pp. vii [1] 342 [2]. First state binding of dark blue cloth decorated and lettered in gilt to upper cover and spine, black coated endpapers. Condition: Near fine, minor toning to spine, gilt bright and clear, internally clean throughout, light foxing to fore and lower edges of text block. Ref: 112149 Price: HK$ 16,000