WELLS, H.G. (1866?1946).?The Island of Doctor Moreau.?London: William Heinemann, 1896. 8vo. Preliminary blank; half?title; frontispiece; 1pp. publisher's ad at rear. Original variant binding of green cloth, sides with single?rule blind border, spine gilt (spine gently sunned, else fine). FIRST EDITION, IN AN UNRECORDED VARIANT BINDING without the publisher's catalogue at the end, not mentioned in Hammond or Currey; the Richard Manney copy (sold Sotheby's, 11 October 1991, Lot 306) was bound in the same variant binding. The spine design includes an all?over motif of roses and monograms of the author's initials. This was most likely a trial binding which was quickly discontinued for the more commonly known tan cloth. Bleiler, Science Fiction 2327; Currey p. 520; Hammond B3; Wells 11.