First edition of one of Wells’s most famous science fiction tales. Although the first edition only sold well for a single month, the title secured Wells financially for life, bringing him not only a constant flow of royalty cheques, but money from the Hollywood film adaptation of 1933 starring Claude Rains. It was Wells’s only book publication by Pearson – fortunately, as Pearson’s books are today known for their poor quality of bindings and paper employed. As a result we have never seen a truly fine copy of The Invisible Man; inscribed copies in such exceptionally good condition are extremely rare.

Octavo. Publisher’s red cloth, with gilt title to spine and front boards, pictorial centre piece in black to front board. Housed in red quarter morocco solander box by The Chelsea Bindery. Signed and dated “October 2nd 1914 / H. G. Wells” on the title page. Spine and top edge darkened, head and tail of spine minimally bumped, marginal browning throughout, hinges skilfully restored, a decent copy of a vulnerable book.