19 “…But You Must Make It Interesting. That Is Essential—All The Rest Is Detail”: Handsomely Bound “Author’s Edition” Of Conan Doyle’s Works, Signed By Him 15 CONAN DOYLE, Sir Arthur. Works. London, 1903. Twelve volumes. Octavo, early three-quarter red morocco gilt. $16,500 “Author’s Edition”—first American edition, first English issue—of Conan Doyle’s tales and novels, including four of his famous Sherlock Holmes books, one of 1000 sets signed by the author, handsomely bound. Arthur Conan Doyle’s literary career took him far beyond the confines of Sherlock Holmes’ sitting room at 221-B Baker Street. Yet none of his creations could ultimately compete with literature’s most famous consulting detective for the reading public’s affection. “The author considered this edition of his works to be of great importance: he revised parts and added notes and a number of special introductions… Because of the author’s friendship with Reginald Smith, he agreed to sign the thousand copies of the English issue. He was not, however, prepared to do the same for the American publisher… The English issue also has the further attraction of having two illustrations in each volume rather than one” (Green & Gibson, A60). Illustrated with 25 engraved plates. Fine condition. H. G. Wells’ Works, Signed By Wells And Beautifully Bound 16 WELLS, H.G. The Works. New York, 1924-27. Twenty-eight volumes. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter red morocco gilt. $23,000 Signed limited Atlantic Edition of the works of H. G. Wells, one of 1050 copies printed for America, with frontispiece photogravure plates, beautifully bound by Stikeman. After years as a teacher and literary journalist, Wells “burst on the literary scene in 1895 with The Time Machine… There followed in quick succession The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), The War of the Worlds (1898), and The First Men in the Moon (1901). These scientific romances, arguably his finest works, have had an incalculable influence on modern literature and popular culture; their cosmic sweep and haunting pessimism have influenced most subsequent science fiction” (Stringer, 708). Signed “H.G. Wells” on limitation page of Volume I. A beautiful set in fine condition.
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