93. The Time Machine: An Invention, First Edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author. Wells, H. G. The Time Machine: An Invention. London: William Heinemann, 1895. Octavo. First (English) Edition. In the earliest of several cloth binding variants (Currey B1). Presentation copy, inscribed by Wells on the front free endpaper, "With the Author's Kindest Regards". Original tan-grey cloth, stamped and lettered in purple, uncut, spine darkened, faint smudges. Fine. 16-page publisher's catalog headed "The Manxman" inserted at rear. Bookplate of John Stuart Groves on front pastedown with some offsetting below inscription. Wells' first piece of fiction, generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel using a vehicle that allows the operator to travel purposefully and selectively. The term "time machine", coined by Wells, is now universally used to refer to such a vehicle. Housed in a ¼ grey-green morocco slipcase. $20,000 – $30,000