The first edition.?'When the Sleeper Wakes' is a gripping dystopian science fiction novel by the master of the genre, H. Wells' brilliant dystopian novels, complete with the original illustrations. Housed in handsome beige cloth box with leather title and author label to spine.

Bookplate of John Richard Sofio to front pastedown. An accession number is written in ink on the free front endpaper and there is a blind stamp 'W.H.

Hinges tender, endpapers smudged, light spotting to half title page not affecting the inscription. Bound in original red cloth with gilt title and author to spine and front cover. It is very likely that Wells gave this one to Voysey. Such an early photograph of Wells is uncommon and signed ones are rare. 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. In 1900 he was the architect for Spade House, which Wells built in 1900 and lived in for the succeeding decade. The recipient is Charles Voysey, an important English architect and designer who was influenced by the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau movements. He was dissatisfied with this first version, saying it was written when he was under time pressures. This dystopian work was first published in 1899, but Wells revised it in 1910 and published it as When the Sleeper Awakes. 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. An excellent Author's Presentation Copy, inscribed 'C.F.A.

When the sleeper wakes