Wells, H.G. (1895) ‘The Time Machine’, UK first edition association copy with a handwritten and signed letter.

Herbert George Wells (1895) ‘The Time Machine‘, UK first edition, second issue, published by Heinemann. 32 pages of advertisements at the rear starting withe the Joseph Conrad title as shown, and the embossing in brown. Together with an original handwritten and signed H.G. Wells letter. There are several issues or states of the first edition. The collectable market considers the version with the 16 pages of ads and embossing in purple as the first issue or state. Technically there is even an earlier state with an ‘H.S. Wells’ misprint on the spine. However, that version was mostly destroyed/ pulped by the publisher and is so rare that bibliographers consider the aforementioned 16 page ad version with the correct H.G. initials as the first issue. There are also other, later issues without any ads at the back.

Condition: a very good to near fine example. One neat previous owner’s name in contemporary black ink on the ffep with a ‘That o’ This’ quote and October 1st 1899 added above. This books seems to have belonged to William Henry Pickering (1858-1938), American astronomer, discoverer of Saturn’s ninth moon Phoebe, and co-establisher of the famous Flagstaff Observaory in Arizona where 1930 the dwarf Planet Pluto would be discovered. A nice association between the most prominet sci-fi writer of his time who would write about space travel (e.g. First Men in the Moon (1901)) and the man who looked at and researched the stars. The book is internally clean throughout. Very light shelf wear and minor toning to boards as seen.

The letter: one page on Wells’ stationary with the Easton Glebe, Dunmow (Wells rented the place between 1910 and 1928 during which he had an affair with Rebecca West) header. In very good condition with usual handling wear, the header address crossed out probably by Wells himslef as he would also be in London in those years. The letter must have been attached onto something in the past as it bears signes of being removed at the reverse. The removal has not damaged the letter. The letter talks about The League of free Nations as an idea for war. Wells names the then secretary of state for foreign affairs George Curzon as a manager of Imperialsim. Wells further implies that the Brits make demands on the Germans whilst the UK is being a hypocrite. Signed with H.G. Wells at the bottom right corner.

Fascinating content as Wells was interested in foreign affairs and did pen an interesting article for ‘The Atlantic’ in 1919 writing about the idea of ‘The League of Nations’: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1919/01/the-idea-of-a-league-of-nations/306270/

‘The Time Machine’, Wells’ first novel which launched his stellar career spanning five decades. The book that popularlised the concept of time travel has had an enormous influence on popular culture. Several radio and film adaptations stand out including the 1960 film with Rod Taylor, and the 2002 film directed by Simon Wells, the great garndson of the author. A landmark book.