The War of the Worlds H.G. Wells
With a New Introduction by Orson Scott Card
Illustrations by Florian Bertmer
One of the most revered and analyzed works in the science-fiction canon, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells was first serialized in 1897 by Pearson’s Weekly in the UK and Cosmopolitan in the USA.
Upon its publication, The War of the Worlds was utterly unique in its scope and the first of its kind, depicting a conflict between humans and an extraterrestrial race.
Among its many interpretations, the novel has been viewed as a commentary on evolution theory, British imperialism, and Victorian superstitions, fears, and prejudices. H.G. Wells once said the plot arose from a conversation with his brother Frank about the British colonization of Tasmania, and its effects on the indigenous Tasmanians. “How would it be with us,” Wells wondered, “if some creatures of a vastly superior power came down upon us and behaved like a drunken man-of-war’s crew let loose among gentle savages?”
The War of the Worlds has spawned half a dozen feature films, radio dramas, a record album, comic books, television series, and several sequels by other authors. It was most memorably adapted as a radio drama by Orson Welles in 1938, the broadcast of which caused widespread panic among listeners who believed the Martian invasion to be real. The novel is also credited with popularizing the term “Martian,” and influencing the work of scientists, leading to the invention of the liquid fueled rocket which resulted in the Apollo 11 Moon landing 71 years later.
The War of the Worlds is the third in a three-book set of H.G. Wells novels. Originality was Wells’s calling card. The author’s ability to, as historian John Higgs notes “create wholly original stories out of thin air” culminated in a three-year span in which he published three of his most influential works; what Wells referred to as “scientific romance novels.” The Time Machine, followed by The Invisible Man and The War of the Worlds are editions uniquely crafted and designed to breathe new life into some of the greatest stories ever told. Additionally, each book includes special curated bonus material to create a truly unique set of these beloved novels.
About the Edition
This edition of The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells is limited to two hundred & seventy-six copies, and is presented in two states: Lettered and Numbered. The text is set in Dutch Type Library Fleishmann and is printed letterpress by Robert LoMascolo in Aurora, New York on a hand-fed Vandercook Cylinder press. The edition measures 6” x 9” and includes six ink illustrations by Florian Bertmer which are printed letterpress with the text, as well as an exclusive introduction by Orson Scott Card. The editions are signed by Orson Scott Card and Florian Bertmer.
Bonus Material Included
Includes 112 Page Bonus Booklet with Letterpress Printed Jacket:
The Crystal Egg – Precursor to The War of the Worlds
The Things That Live on Mars by H.G. Wells – Cosmopolitan Article
Orson Welles 1938 Radio Broadcast Script
Reprint of The Boston Daily Globe’s front page headline
Reproductions of 32 famous Henrique Alvim Corrêa drawings
Art from Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
Lettered Edition
The lettered edition is limited to twenty-six copies and is a full goatskin binding with raised bands and a leather spine label. The cover is stamped with gold foil, and endsheets are hand-marbled in the U.K. The edition is printed letterpress on Stonehenge cotton paper and is housed in a quarter leather clamshell enclosure with cloth boards. The editions are signed by Orson Scott Card and Florian Bertmer.
Numbered Edition
The Numbered edition is limited to two hundred fifty copies and is a quarter cloth binding with custom designed patterned paper over boards, which are printed letterpress. The spine is covered in a vibrant two-toned cloth and endsheets are Hahnemühle Ingress. The edition is printed letterpress on Mohawk Via Vellum and is housed in a paper covered slipcase. The editions are signed by Orson Scott Card and Florian Bertmer.
About the Author
About the Collaborators
Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card is an American writer known best for his science fiction works. He is the first and (as of 2022) only person to win both a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award in consecutive years, winning both awards for both his novel Ender’s Game (1985) and its sequel Speaker for the Dead (1986).
Florian Bertmer
Florian Bertmer is quite an enigma. Little is known about the german-born artist but we do know that he recently moved to Los Angeles, CA. He has a flair for the macabre and a profound knowledge of the occult. His unique and insanely detailed style draws inspiration from traditional pen and ink illustrators such as Alphonse Mucha, Geoff Darrow, Pushead, Mike Mignola and Ed Roth. He recently made his way into the realm of movie posters, creating movie poster art for such iconic films such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Swamp Thing and Planet of the Apes.
Matching Numbers & Letters
If you did not pre-order the H.G. Wells three book set with The Time Machine, we cannot guarantee matching numbers on The Invisible Man and/or The War of the Worlds. In addition, The Invisible Man and The War of the Worlds do not include rights to a matching number or letter for our March 2020 book announcement. Only those who purchased Red Dragon will be guaranteed a matching Number and/or Letter to the edition we announce in March 2020. If you previously ordered The Time Machine only, we will do our best to match your number to The Invisible Man and/or The War of the Worlds.
Artwork by Florian Bertmer
Published editions may differ slightly from mockups and prototype designs.
Illustrations © 2019 by Florian Bertmer.