WELLS, H.G.

The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind. Written with the advice and editorial help of Mr. Ernest Barker, Sir H.H. Johnston, Sir E. Ray Lankester, and Professor Gilbert Murray.

​London: George Newnes Limited, n.d. [circa 1920–1921]. First edition in book form. Complete in two quarto volumes (measuring 10.75" x 8.5").

​Bound in handsome three-quarter teal morocco over blue cloth boards, bordered with gilt fillets. Spines feature raised bands and gilt-ruled compartments centered with elaborate gilt floral devices, lettered in gilt in two compartments. Top edges trimmed, matching blue endpapers. Copiously illustrated throughout with numerous full-color plates (including frontispieces) and hundreds of in-text monochrome illustrations, maps, and diagrams primarily executed by J.F. Horrabin.

​Condition:

Very Good+. The bindings remain sturdy and tight with bright gilt to the spines. Light soiling to the leather.. Internally clean, crisp, and well-preserved with vibrant color plates and supple hinges.

​Note on Publication:

The Outline of History was originally published in 24 fortnightly parts by George Newnes between November 1919 and November 1920 before being gathered and issued in this definitive two-volume illustrated format. Like most copies of the Newnes two-volume edition, it was issued without a printed date on the title page. Conceived by Wells in the immediate wake of World War I as an ambitious, unified narrative of human civilization from prehistoric origins to the 20th century, it remains one of the most influential and widely read universal histories of the modern era.