by H.G. Wells
The Time Machine by H. G. Wells, with original artwork by Joe Mugnaini, is a Collector's Edition volume from the Masterpieces of Science Fiction collection by The Easton Press, issued in a limited run and bound in full leather of deep burgundy with a fine pebbled grain and a soft satin sheen. The front board is framed by a double rule of 22kt gold set close to the edges, and within that frame the whole surface is given over to Mugnaini's vortex: dense ranks of fine gold lines that sweep in from the corners and margins, bending and rippling as they spiral inward, tightening into concentric wave bands that circle a plain leather oval at the center of the board. That oval carries the title in gold capitals across three lines, THE TIME MACHINE, the only lettering on the board. The spine is hubbed, divided by raised bands into panels; the title runs the length of the spine in gold capitals, the author's name, H. G. Wells, is lettered in gold in the lower panel, and decorative gold medallions of radiating sunburst design fill the panels at the head and foot. Construction follows the press's archival standard, with Smyth sewn binding, concealed muslin joints, acid-neutral archival paper, and 22kt gold gilded page edges, and a pristine bookplate is affixed inside the front cover. Provenance is single owner, unread, from a private collection, always stored in dust-free bookcases in a dry climate, and the condition is pristine, as new, and unread.
| Publisher | Easton Press |
| Collection | Masterpieces of Science Fiction |
| Original Copyright | 1895 |
| Binding | Red leather, hubbed spine, 22kt gold accents |
| Paper | Archival-quality, acid-neutral |
| Page Edges | 22k gold gilded |
| Construction | Smyth-sewn, concealed muslin joints |
| Signed | No |
| First Edition | No |
| Cover Artwork | Joe Mugnaini |
| Condition | Pristine / As New / Unread |
| Provenance | Single-owner private collection, stored in dust-free bookcases in a dry climate |