WELLS, H.G. (1866-1946). The Time Machine, an Invention. New York: Henry Holt, 1895.
12mo. Half-title; frontispiece illustration; 6pp. publisher's advertisements at end. Original pictorial tan buckram stamped and lettered in purple, top edge gilt, others uncut (spine darkened, with some rubbing along joints and soiling to extremities with a few scattered stains; else a tight copy). Provenance: Charles A. Lamb (ownership stamp on title-page, slightly affecting letters).
FIRST AMERICAN EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, with the author's name misprinted "H. S. Wells" on title-page. CURREY'S BINDING A in tan buckram, rather than the red cloth found in later issues. The American edition preceded the English edition by 2 weeks.
OFTEN SAID TO BE THE FIRST TIME TRAVEL NOVEL, "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, Science Fiction 2325). Currey p.524.
This lot is located in Chicago.
