Wells, H. G. The Star. Issud in Simpifyd Speling with kynd permishon ov the Author [sic]. London: Simplified Spelling Society, 1917. First separate edition, and first edition translated into "simplified spelling." Octavo, saddle-stapled in single gathering, pp. [1-3] 4-27 [28-30: promotional material from the publisher]. The last page carries the rubber stamp of eminent science fiction editor and publisher Donald A. Wolheim. Lacks rear cover, spine a bit ragged looking but firm (front cover having been re-attached), a good copy, with the front cover presenting nicely. Rather scarce. #1417. $75. The story, first appearing in the 1897 Christmas number of The Graphic, was included in Wells's 1899 collection, Tales of Space and Time. It relates the catastrophic repercussions of a collision of a planetoid with Neptune. "Most of the human race is destroyed, but the remnant start to build a new, better society in an era of peace. Another instance of Wells's belief that catastrophe is needed to produce a better world." -- Bleiler, Science Fiction: The Early Years, 2334. Wells was vice-president (sorry, vys-prezident) of this hare-brained club, presided over by no less a personage than the eminent classicist Gilbert Murray. The prospect of etymological cleansing inherent in phonetic spelling brings to mind eugenic crusades and other steam-rolling social engineering projects of the early-to-mid 20th century. This story would seem to have been an apt choice for the society. Seller Inventory # 1417

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Bibliographic Details

Title: The Star

Publisher: Simplified Spelling Society, London

Publication Date: 1917

Binding: Paperback

Condition: Good

Edition: 1st Edition

Store Description

When I began my bookselling business in 1996 I called it "Eldritch Books" because that adjective at least partly covered the type of material I offered (and because its similarity to my own surname seemed so -- eldritch). "Ghost stories" would be another handy, if somewhat reductive, term. Most of it is fiction from the 19th and early 20th century with a strong emphasis on the fantastic. Since the most familiar and relevant genre terms in use today -- "science fiction," "fantasy," "supernatural," "horror" -- were not so much in use when these books were first published, pegging them that way can be anachronistic. But that should give you the general idea. I don't have much in the way of American pulp (either in magazine or specialty press book form) but otherwise my interests range widely from high-brow to middle-brow to low-brow to amateur/eccentric. You're more likely to find rare and obscure works here than high spots. (Or at least they're obscure now, whatever their status was when first published.) In 2001 I went to work for L. W. Currey as cataloguer and general assistant. Since 2014 I've been back working on my own. I have exhibited at convention fairs (such as WFC and Readercon) in the past. I began collecting and studying antiquarian fantasy around 1980. Some of my essays have appeared in genre publications such as NYRSF, Wormwood and F&SF. I tend to carefully research my inventory and write extensive notes. (If another dealer wishes to make use of any of these notes, I'd appreciate the courtesy of putting such excerpts in quotes and giving proper attribution to me. That's what I do when I quote from any of my reference works.) I will be gradually listing my inventory on ABE over the coming years. I hope you find something of interest.

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Robert Eldridge, Bookseller
NY, U.S.A.

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Robert Eldridge
P. O. Box 293
Elizabethtown NY 12932
USA.
Tel: 518-873-9966.
Email: rfx51@charter.net.

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I ship only by U.S. Postal Service. All shipments are packed carefully and mailed with insurance and (for domestic shipments) tracking information. Except where specified for extra large items, rates are: Domestic (within USA) Media Mail: $5. Domestic Priority: $10. International First Class (must be under 4 lbs.): $25. International Global Priority (...

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