THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON ...
London: George Newnes, Limited, 1901. Octavo, pp. [i-iv] v-vii [viii] [1] 2-342 [343-344: blank] [note: final leaf is a blank], twelve inserted plates with illustrations by Claude Shepperson, original decorated blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold, black coated endpapers. First edition. The U.S. Bowen-Merrill edition preceded the British edition by approximately one month. The two editions have minor textual differences. "...a gripping adventure story as well as a historic milestone in modern science fiction." - Survey of Science Fiction Literature II, pp. 782-86. "The last and most complex [of Wells's early scientific romances] is THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON. The two first men, Bedford and Cavor are well-contrasted, the civilization of the Selenites is excellent both as horror and satire; and the novel abounds with wonderful passages of unforced description at which Wells is unrivaled... This lovely book also contains much of Wells's delightful humor; it has kept the joints of his discourse oiled to this day. After THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON, Wells's science fiction novels are never quite the same." - Bleiler (ed), Science Fiction Writers, p. 28. Anatomy of Wonder (1976) 2-166; (1981) 1-175; (1987) 1-98; (1995) 1-98; and (2004) II-1225. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 2335. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 795. Lewis, Utopian Literature, p. 206. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 226. Locke, Voyages in Space 208. Negley, Utopian Literature: A Bibliography 1177. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, pp. 123-24. In 333. Bleiler (1978), p. 205. Reginald 15026. Currey, p. 518 (binding A). Hammond B7. Wells 18. Wells Society 18. Small abrasion from erasure to upper half title page, corners a bit soft with lower tips a bit rubbed, mild rubbing to outer hinges, spine a bit darkened with ends pushed and and rubbed, small 6 mm tear to cloth at head of spine, solid hinges and a bright front cover, a very good or better copy. (28602). Item #28602
Price: $1,250.00