"IT NEVER WAS A WAR, ANY MORE THAN THERE'S WAR BETWEEN MEN AND ANTS": SCARCE FIRST EDITION OF WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS, PUBLISHER'S PRESENTATION COPY

WELLS, H.G. The War of the Worlds. London: William Heinemann, 1898. Octavo, original gray cloth, uncut. $11,000.

First edition, first issue of H.G. Wells' classic and influential "scientific romance," publisher's presentation copy sent to Colonel James Alexander Francis Stewart-Mackenzie, 1st Baron Seaforth.

"Almost all of Wells' best science fiction has an evolutionary subtext… The British Empire, like all others before it, represented the successful predation of the weak by the strong, and that was the subject, in a metamorphosed form, of The War of the Worlds" (Disch, 62-63). "The novel is a tour de force whose innumerable fictional offspring include numerous adaptations and homages, by far the most effective of which was Orson Welles' Mercury Theater radio broadcast of 1938" (Anatomy of Wonder II-1234). First issue, Currey state A, "with no statement of printing on copyright page" and with the 16-page publisher's catalogue dated Autumn mdcccxcvii at rear. Without extremely rare dust jacket. Currey, 426. Hammond B5. The recipient of this copy was a Scottish soldier recognized by many as the chief of Clan Mackenzie in his day, although not officially acknowledged by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Title page with publisher's "Presentation Copy" blind stamp; front pastedown with "Brahan Castle, Conon Bridge, Ross-shire" stamped in red.

Title page with short closed tear from lower edge, faint spotting to first and last few leaves; binding very slightly cocked, minor rubbing to board edges and extremities. An unusually nice copy, in near-fine condition.