The Wheels of Chance

London: J.M. Dent and Co. , 1896. First edition. Cloth. Good Only. 8" by 6" . J. Ayton Symington . A first edition copy of this comedic novel, written by prolific British author H.G. Wells, illustrated throughout. The Wheels of Chance is a comedic novel telling the story of a poorly paid draper's assistant, Mr. Hoopdriver, who takes a cycling holiday in the summer of 1895. It is a fascinating representation of cycling culture that was pervasive in England during this time period.The first edition, first impression of this work, with the publisher's imprint to page 314 and ten pages of publisher's adverts to the rear. Written by the prolific British author H.G. Wells. Wells is most well-known for his science fiction works, such as War of the Worlds (1898), The Invisible Man (1897), and The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896). He was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature four times during the course of his life. This work includes forty illustrations by J. Ayton Symington, collated and complete.Containing some ink notations from a previous owner to the front free-endpaper. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, some general shelf wear to the boards and fading to the spine. Bumping to the head and tail of the spine and extremities. A small amount of loss to the cloth at the head of the spine. Previous owner's ink notations to the front free-endpaper. Internally, hinges are strained. Binding is tender. A small amount of loss to pages 214 to 216 and pages 223 to 226. A few patches of staining to pages 214 to 216 and 223 to 226, and the odd spot or handling mark throughout. Good Only