Select Conversations Uncle by Wells, Signed (4 results)

Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. First Edition. Octavo. Wells' first fictional work; this copy SIGNED by Wells to front endpaper. With 16 pp. publisher's catalogue bound at rear (with the third leaf excised, purportedly for the misspelling of Edmund Gosse as Edmund Goose). Minor rubbing to silk boards; near fine. Top edge gilt. Housed in full leather top-loading slipcase with silk chemise; gilt lettering to three of five bands to spine. Signed.

First edition, first impression, inscribed presentation copy; 8vo; illustrated title page, pages browned as usual, some marks and spots throughout, 3pp ALS from the author tipped in; publisher's grey, watered silk, titles to spine gilt, top edge gilt, edges a little rubbed; 16 pp ads at end. Very good indeed. A major literary presentation copy of the author's first literary publication. Inscribed by Wells on the half title page, 'Grant Allen With the author's kindest regards'. Tipped in at the front of the book is a 3pp autograph letter signed by Wells, written to Allen and presenting 'the little book I have done. It's just fooling about with a piece of paper & a pen'. He then asks if Allen is fond of canals, remarking that there is good one in Woking which he would like to show him were he to visit. Allen was originally from Canada, he moved to the UK in the 1880s and lived not far from Wells in Surrey. A controversialist in his views on sexual politics and the 'new women' he shared many of Wells obsessions. Perhaps more importantly he had begun in the early 1890s to write speculative fiction. His subjects included time travel and the probable influence on the Time Machine of his story The Pallinghurst Barrow is notable.

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dustjacket. 1st Edition. First edition, hardcover, signed by Wells on first free endpage, has very slight lean to spine with faint bowing to front board, previous owner's plate to front pastedown and inscription to second endpage, slight bumps to spine ends and corners with boards starting to peek through at corners and a touch of fraying, faint sunning to spine, and some slight shelfwear to edges, otherwise a solid VG copy in Near Fine clear protective dustjacket.

Inscribed first edition of Well's first non-scientific book which relates twelve topical conversations with an imaginary uncle. The subjects covered by the authorial stand-in called George and his uncle include fashion, the resemblance of ideals to interior decoration, the art of being photographed, the agony of having to listen to a near neighbour playing the piano, social novels, and the effects of marriage. A sort of state-of-the-nation kind of dialogue. DESCRIPTION: Bound in silver-pink watered silk, a very little rubbing and a couple of tiny marks to the upper board. Top edge gilt; foreedge and lower edge untrimmed as usual. Wells has inscribed the half title to 'Steven Hunter with the Authors kindest regards'. Browning to paper stock. 16 pages of adverts including the 'Edmund Goose' error. A very good copy, nicely inscribed. Please contact Christian White Rare Books Ltd for more information or images of this item.