The Invisible Man.
A Grotesque Romance.
London: Pearson, 1897 Stock Code: 115742
Presented to the dedicatee of The Time Machine
First edition, presentation copy, inscribed by Wells to his literary mentor on the half-title, "W. E. Henley from H. G. Wells (with apologies)". William Ernest Henley (1849-1903), poet, critic, journalist and influential editor of the National Observer and other papers, "had a gift for finding and encouraging new talent" (ODNB). He published works by Kipling, Hardy, Yeats, and Barrie among others, and early in his career he collaborated with his friend Robert Louis Stevenson on four plays. Henley encouraged Wells to develop a series of time travelling stories into what would later become The Time Machine. Henley serialized the work and secured a generous publication agreement with Heinemann - Wells in turn dedicated The Time Machine to Henley. "In making friends with Henley he had made the contact that was to launch his career" (MacKenzie, H. G. Wells, p. 105).This copy has the relevant first issue points: page 1 incorrectly numbered 2, and two pages of advertisements at rear.
Description
Octavo. Original red cloth, front cover stamped in gilt and black. Housed in a custom red cloth chemise and red morocco-backed slipcase.
Condition
Bookseller's ticket of Sotheran's; bookplate of Eugene Plunkett and pencilled inventory number on front pastedown. Slight lean, spine faded and stained with wear to ends, hinges starting, endpapers and contents browned.
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