Signed Limited Inscribed First Edition: The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind Signed by H.G. Wells

This entry highlights a major sociological and economic study by a father of modern literature: a Signed Limited First Edition set of The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind, hand-signed and inscribed by prolific English author H.G. Wells. Published in 1931 by Heinemann, this two-volume set represents Wells’s ambitious synthesis of human social organization, economic activity, and civilizational progress, forming the final installment in his grand trilogy of non-fiction works following The Outline of History and The Science of Life.

Renowned globally for his pioneering science fiction masterpieces like The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds, Wells spent much of his mature career constructing comprehensive educational guides aimed at promoting global cooperation and rational world governance. In The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind, he analyzes how humanity produces wealth, organizes labor, manages currency, and governs societies. Designed as a foundational textbook for the modern world, the work remains an extraordinary reflection of early 20th-century intellectual history and socio-economic theory.

Bound in two volumes of deep plum cloth with cream paper spine labels, the set retains its original translucent glassine dust jackets with Wells's gilt-stamped facsimile signature on the upper covers. On the printed limitation page of Volume I, H.G. Wells has hand-numbered the set as No. 4 of only 250 printed copies, adding a warm presentation inscription to "Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon" above his signature ("H.G. Wells"). Featuring untrimmed, deckled page edges, the internal pages remain remarkably clean, tight, and unblemished. While the fragile glassine wrappers show expected age-related tearing, chipping, and tape repair along the spines, the underlying cloth bindings remain well-preserved. Uniquely low-numbered and inscribed, this rare set represents an exceptional acquisition for Wells scholars and modern first edition collectors.

Edition & Special Presentation Specifications

• HEINEMANN SIGNED LIMITED EDITION: Published in 1931 by William Heinemann Ltd., London; two-volume set strictly limited to 250 hand-numbered and signed copies.
  
  
• ORIGINAL CLOTH & GLASSINE WRAPPERS: Bound in original plum cloth with printed paper spine labels; retains original glassine dust wrappers bearing Wells's facsimile signature in gilt.
  
  
• LOW LIMITATION: Distinctively designated as Set No. 4 of the 250 printed sets.
  
  

Autograph Specifications & Provenance

• HAND-SIGNED & INSCRIBED BY H.G. WELLS: Hand-numbered, inscribed ("Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon"), and signed in ink by H.G. Wells on the official Volume I limitation leaf.
  
  
• PUBLISHER-LIMITED PROVENANCE: Direct limitation-page provenance as issued, enhanced by a contemporary personal presentation inscription by the author.
  
  
• CONSIGNOR NOTES: Considered as the father of modern science fiction, H.G. Wells’ works still stand today as classics of science fiction and imaginative storytelling – including War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, and the Island of Dr. Moreaux – all of which have been the basis for multiple Hollywood movies over the years.  His signature is quite scarce – especially on a signed limited edition like this, with only 250 total signed and numbered copies produced.  This non-fiction book was also quite unique at the time – being one of the first-ever 20th century comprehensive reviews of modern sociology – and the economic, educational, and cultural life of human beings and their institutions.  One of the most amazing aspects of this 90+ year old two-volume book set is the incredible condition – still wrapped in its original publisher’s glassine protectors.