The War of the Worlds

London: William Heinemann, 1898. First edition. Cloth. Good Only. 7.5" by 5". None. The sought after first edition, first impression, of H. G. Well's genre-defining science fiction novel. First edition, first impression, Currey's state (A) with sixteen pages of publisher's adverts to the rear, dated Autumn 1897.Half-title is present.'The War of the Worlds' is one of the most important science fiction novels ever written, first published as a serial in 1897, it is one of the earliest stories about a conflict between humans and extraterrestrials.This impressive and genre-defining novel has never been out of print and as been adapted into many artistic forms; possibly the best known is a radio programme in 1938 by Orson Welles, that supposedly caused a panic among the public listeners who didn't know that the story Welles was telling was fictional.A sought after first edition of one of the most famous science fiction books ever written.Prior owner's ink inscription to the front paste down and recto to the front endpaper, 'C. T. Bohenham'. In the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally, with a torn and worn circulating library label to the front board. Some rubbing and marks to the boards and spine. Light bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities, causing a couple of small chips to the extremities. Hinges are strained, particularly the front hinge. Prior owner's ink inscription to the front paste down and recto to the front endpaper. Internally, binding is strained in places, most especially between pages 128 and 129, and 192 and 193, and 208 and 209, where gatherings are working loose a little. Pages are bright with some spots and handling marks. Page 7/8 of the adverts are torn and a small amount of loss. Good Only