(A Bibliographical Note)
by R. H. Barlow
The first publication of the tale that later became Wells’ most famous
short novel, was in a paper issued at his school. The magazine, The
Science Schools Quarterly, serialized a story of the same underlying
plot, dealing with a Welsh professor. This was, broadly speaking, the
debut of the story. It was later re-written, and some decade
afterwards, after being published in both the National Observer and The
New Review, appeared in a modest little volume published by Wm.
Heinomann. Preceding it were two text-books and Conversations With An
Uncle came out the day immediately before.
The book in its first English edition, was a modest duodecimo volume
measuring approximately 7 X 5 X 1 ins. It was bound in a coarse
linen-like grey cloth, and bore in purple lettering as well as the
title a peculiar device of a rather emaciated sphinx. It contained
pages 152 and XVI. The text, besides the title page was virtually the
same as that recently issued in Short Stories of H. G. Wells, but
differed in several respects from that Amazing Stories used in their
May, 1927 issue.
It appeared simultaneously both in the bound edition and wrappers, the
former at the price of 3s, and the latter at 2s 6d.
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In the April issue of _Fantasy_: