THE WAR OF THE WENUSES. Translated from the Artesian of H. G. Pozzuoli ...
Bristol: J. W. Arrowsmith ... London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. Limited, n.d., [1898]. Small octavo, pp. [1-10] 11-140 [141-144: ads], original pictorial white wrappers printed in red, yellow and black. First edition. A fine parody of H. G. Wells's THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. Earth is invaded by beautiful Venusian women. "A 'Punch-style' parody ... in which the natives of Venus, young ladies, invade earth (in giant crinolines) in a quest for sartorial improvements, devastating all males with the dreaded 'mash' glance." - Locke, Voyages in Space 88. [Reference: Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 915. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 356. Clarke, Tale of the Future (1978), p. 24. Clarke, Voices Prophesying War: Future Wars 1763-3749, p. 230. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 95. Negley, Utopian Literature: A Bibliography 457. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 115. Suvin, Victorian Science Fiction in the UK, p. 73. Bleiler (1978), p. 85. Reginald 06255. Topp, Victorian Yellowbacks and Paperbacks, 1849-1905 VIII, p. 244]. Slight spine lean, wrappers just a bit dusty, touch of wear to lower corners, several leaves of text dog-eared at corners, but a very good plus or better copy. A remarkably nice copy of a fragile, rare issue of this work, which is more frequently encountered in its hardbound brown cloth binding. (14580). Item #14580
Price: $1,750.00