The Passionate Friends Value Guide

Published in 1913, The Passionate Friends is a significant example of H.G. Wells' realistic social fiction, moving away from his sci-fi roots to explore Edwardian morality. This first edition is highly collectible for its depiction of the shifting social duties and romantic limitations of the early 20th century.

What Is The Passionate Friends Worth?

The typical price range for The Passionate Friends is $100 - $110 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Overall condition of the green cloth binding, specifically looking for fading or 'sunniness' on the spine.
• The presence and state of the original dust jacket, which can significantly increase the $100-$110 baseline value.
• Internal cleanliness, including the absence of foxing on the paper and lack of previous owner inscriptions.
• The tightness of the binding and whether the cardboard covers remain sharp at the corners.

How to Identify The Passionate Friends?

• Verify the publication date of 1913 on the title page or copyright page.
• Check for the original United Kingdom publisher's imprint, typically Macmillan and Co.
• Ensure the binding is the authentic original green cloth with gold gilt lettering on the spine.
• Confirm the presence of any specific advertisements or catalog inserts often found at the back of Wells' first editions.

History of The Passionate Friends

Published in 1913, this novel by H.G. Wells explores themes of romance, social duty, and the limitations of marriage in Edwardian society. While Wells is best known for his science fiction, this work showcases his prolific output of realistic social novels that addressed the shifting moral landscape of the early 20th century.