THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON [IN] THE COSMOPOLITAN: AN ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY MAGAZINE - COMPLETE EIGHT-PART SERIAL

Irvington-on-the-Hudson, NY: The Cosmopolitan Press, 1901. First Edition. First appearance in the U.S. of Wells's ninth novel, narrating a journey to the moon by a businessman and an eccentric scientist, who encounter a sophisticated civilization of insect-like creatures they call "Selenites," who take them captive underground. The novel was first serialized in The Strand Magazine in the UK (between December, 1900 - August, 1901), though the Strand appearance was illustrated by Claude Shepperson. A primary appearance of this cornerstone work of the genre, scarce in the original wrappers. cf.Wells 18; Barron, Anatomy of Wonder, 3rd Ed., 1-98. Eight quarto issues (24cm); original decorative wrappers; with illustrations by Warwick Goble and Cosmo Rowe. Publication sequence as follows: Vol.XXX, Nos.1-6; Vol.XXXI, Nos.1-2. Some shallow losses to spine on the March, 1901 issue, with faint dampstaining to upper rear wrapper on the April, 1901 issue; Very Good. Remaining issues all show modest wear, gentle sunning to spines and tanning to wrapper extremities, with several small tears and attendant creases to same; tiny crease and tear to upper margin of text on the April-June, 1901 issues; penciled name to upper margin of one front cover; contents clean, complete; Very Good+.