The Collected Essex Edition in 12 volumes by WELLS, H G - 1926-1927

London: Ernest Benn, 1926-1927. First Edition thus. Cloth. Near fine. The thin-paper edition, a complete set of the first 12 volumes to be issued. Sm 8vo (17.5cm). With the faux engraved title pages. The publisher states in a page to rear, "Further volumes will be issued monthly until the edition is complete." In all, 28 volumes were published. The titles in this set are, in order: The History of Mr Polly (Vol I), Kipps (II), The New Machiavelli (III), The Invisible Man (IV), a small, just under 1cm tear to spine; The Food of the Gods (V), The Stolen Bacillus (VI), Tono-Bungay (VII), The First Men in the Moon (VIII), Love and Mr Lewisham (IX), front gutter cracked; The Sleeper Awakes (Vol X), Twelve Stories And a Dream (XI), In the Days of the Comet (Vol XII). All in the uniform tan cloth, top edges stained brown, gilt titles to spines, with decorated gilt panels and gilt motif to upper board. There are no inscriptions or ownership marks. Tips of a few volumes slightly pushed. Bindings remain firm, text blocks are clean and bright. A pretty set in overall excellent condition.