When the Sleeper Wakes

London and New York: Harper & Brothers, 1899. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. First Edition. An excellent Author's Presentation Copy, inscribed "C.F.A. Voysey from H.G. Wells." Herbert George Wells (1866-1946) was a prolific writer in many genres but is best remembered for his science fiction novels, of which this is one. This dystopian work was first published in 1899, but Wells revised it in 1910 and published it as When the Sleeper Awakes. He was dissatisfied with this first version, saying it was written when he was under time pressures. The recipient is Charles Voysey, an important English architect and designer who was influenced by the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau movements. In 1900 he was the architect for Spade House, which Wells built in 1900 and lived in for the succeeding decade. Laid in is a Raphael Tuck and Sons "real photograph" postcard of Wells that is contemporary with the book and signed in ink below the image. Such an early photograph of Wells is uncommon and signed ones are rare. It is very likely that Wells gave this one to Voysey. Bound in original red cloth with gilt title and author to spine and front cover. Spine is faded, bumping to corners. Hinges tender, endpapers smudged, light spotting to half title page not affecting the inscription. An accession number is written in ink on the free front endpaper and there is a blind stamp "W.H. Smith and Son London" below it. Bookplate of John Richard Sofio to front pastedown. Housed in handsome beige cloth box with leather title and author label to spine. Very good condition. 329 pages. LIT/011416.