Lot #6155

H. G. Wells Handwritten Letter on His "Best Book," Commenting on The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds, and Dr. Moreau

Description

Wells weighs in on his best book: "My best piece of significant story writing The Invisible Man...I am fond of The War of the Worlds because of its destruction of property"

Unsigned partial handwritten letter by H. G. Wells, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7, Spade House letterhead, no date. Partial handwritten letter with important autobiographical literary content, in part: "I really do not know which is my best book…It's like asking which I think my best garment, my hat, my collar or my left boot. My biggest thing, my most intimate thing, my first line-of-battle ship is Anticipations, my best piece of significant story writing The Invisible Man. I think the Wonderful Visit manages to be pretty & that Love & Mr. Lewisham is as near beauty as I am likely to get, and I am fond of The War of the Worlds because of its destruction of property. I don't like The First Men in the Moon as a whole, but I think it contains some of the best descriptive writing I have ever done. And I have a great tenderness of The Island of Dr. Moreau, because it is the only book of mine that I think has been treated unfairly." In fine condition.

Pioneering the science fiction genre and influencing countless writers, filmmakers, and thinkers, H. G. Wells left an indelible mark on literature. His seminal works, The Invisible Man and War of the Worlds, exemplify his visionary imagination and keen social commentary. While The Invisible Man delves into themes of power, identity, and morality in its exploration of the consequences of unchecked scientific advancement, The War of the Worlds remains a timeless classic, offering a chilling portrayal of alien invasion and humanity's resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. Although he felt that The Island of Dr. Moreau was "treated unfairly" by contemporary audiences, the novel has spurred myriad adaptations in all forms of media and remains one of his best-known works. Offering Wells's first-person evaluation of his own bibliography, this is a significant handwritten letter by the 'father of science fiction.'

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Art, Literature, and Classical Music
• Dates: May 22, 2024 - June 20, 2024

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