H. G. WELLS - SIGNED THE TIME MACHINE (RANDOM HOUSE, 1931)

Provenance and Authenticity:

The title page bears a clear ink signature reading "H. G. Wells," positioned beneath the printed title and executed in a compact, fluent hand consistent with known later-period examples of Wells's autograph, including the abbreviated initials, decisive surname formation, and angled terminal stroke; the ink appears naturally integrated with the paper surface and shows appropriate age tonality, while the placement on the title page corresponds with standard signed book practice, supporting its desirability as a signed example of one of the most important works in the history of science fiction.

Signature:

H. G. Wells.

Description:

A signed copy of The Time Machine: An Invention by H. G. Wells, published by Random House, New York, 1931, with a preface by the author written for this edition and designs by W. A. Dwiggins; the volume is presented in decorated boards with a black cloth spine, showing visible handling wear, rubbing, edge wear, corner softening, and age toning to the interior, while the illustrated title spread remains visually engaging and the signature is prominently placed on the title page below the work's title, offering a clean and attractive presentation.

Historical significance:

The Time Machine is one of the foundational texts of modern science fiction and remains among Wells's most influential works, introducing a lasting literary framework for time travel, speculative futurity, social evolution, and dystopian imagination; signed copies of this title are especially desirable because they connect Wells's hand to the work most closely associated with his role as a pioneer of speculative fiction, making this example significant within both modern literature and science fiction collecting.

Valuation:

The market for signed H. G. Wells books remains strong, particularly for major titles such as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, and The Invisible Man, with value influenced by edition status, condition, signature clarity, and the importance of the work; this example benefits from a clear title-page signature and a visually distinctive 1931 Random House edition, though visible wear to the boards and absence of a dust jacket place it within a collectible but condition-sensitive range.

WALNUT TREE AUCTION HOUSE provides condition reports as a courtesy to our clients and assumes no liability for any error or omission. Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, and is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Descriptions are our opinions and should in no way be construed as a guarantee of any kind as to age, condition, mater.