Things to Come

London: The Cresset Press , 1935. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 8" by 6". None. A scarce, signed, first edition copy of HG Wells' 'Things to Come' dedicated in Wells' hand to his son, Anthony. Wells has signed the half title to his son, Anthony West. Lacking dustwrapper, as is usual with this work. From the estate of Katharine 'Kitty' Church. Kitty Church was a British neo-romantic painter who was married to the author and literary critic Anthony West to whom this work is addressed. West was the son of Rebecca West and H.G Wells. He is best known for the novel 'Heritage' which was a thinly disguised autobiography as it follows the life of a boy who grows up neglected and ignored by his famous parents. His mother famously threatened to sue him if the work was published in Britain. This is the film story based on the material in Wells' 'The Shape of Things to Come'. This science fiction work speculates on future events up to the year 2106. Several of Wells' short-term predictions in this novel would come true such as the aerial bombing of entire cities and the development of weapons of mass destruction. This screenplay adaptation was released in 1936 and was directed by William Cameron Menzies. A very scarce copy of this work, with important provenance. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Spine is cocked. A few handling marks to the boards and a little loss to the head and tail of spine. Author's inscription to the half-title. Internally, generally firmly bound. Slightly strained at page 48. Pages are bright, with just the odd spot. Light ink mark to the head of page 49 and to the top of the fore edge, matching the ink Wells has used. Very Good