{"product_id":"tline-of-history-hg-wells-two-volume-set-1950s","title":"The Outline of History — H.G. Wells Two-Volume Set with Maps and Illustrations","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Outline of History by H.G. Wells is a comprehensive two-volume reference tracing human civilization from the earliest life through World War II—a foundational work that shaped how millions understood their world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRevised by Raymond Postgate through the end of the Second World War, this set features maps and plans by J.F. Horrabin and delivers over 1,000 pages of illustrated history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's the kind of book that belongs on a serious collector's shelf or a home library where history matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItem:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two-volume hardcover book set with dust jackets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e H.G. Wells\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRevised by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Raymond Postgate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaps and Plans by:\u003c\/strong\u003e J.F. Horrabin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Garden City Books, Garden City, New York\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Book Club Edition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCopyright:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1920, 1921, 1923, 1931, 1940, 1949, 1956 by H.G. Wells\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardcover, two volumes (Volume I and Volume II)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1000 plus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Over 1,000 pages, 200 maps and illustrations, detailed table of contents, indexed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDust Jackets:\u003c\/strong\u003e Present on both volumes, red with gold lettering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red and gold cloth with decorative borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8¾\" H × 6\" W × 2\" D\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition Grade: Good\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePositives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoth volumes complete and intact with all pages present and readable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterior pages clean and well-preserved with minimal yellowing for age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaps and illustrations clear and detailed throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinding secure and sound on both volumes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoth dust jackets present—a significant feature for a set this age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssues \/ Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo major tears\/rips visible on the red dust jacket surfaces (primary condition concern)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShelf wear visible on spine edges and corners of both volumes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAge yellowing of pages throughout (normal and expected for 1950s printing)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBook Club Edition designation (common print run, not first trade edition)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSee all photos for detail — sold as pictured.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Grade Key\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNear Fine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery Good:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood:\u003c\/strong\u003e Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFair:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCollector's Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH.G. Wells wrote this summary of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/collections\/vintage-history-books-reading-vintage\" title=\"history book collection\"\u003ehuman history to give readers a framework for understanding their own moment in time\u003c\/a\u003e. It became a genuine bestseller—over two million copies sold worldwide—and shaped how generations understood progress, war, and civilization itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the book for collectors who believe the best histories are readable and comprehensive—the kind you can actually open, explore, and return to. It works as both a research reference and a statement piece on a home library shelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Postgate revision runs the narrative all the way through World War II, making this particular printing the most complete version available outside the earliest editions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA handsome set with presence and substance, and the kind of book people notice when they visit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhoto-verified condition (\u003ca title=\"shipping policy\" href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/shipping-policy\"\u003eno surprises\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePacked with our protective packaging standard\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips in 1 business day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisclaimer\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—\u003ca title=\"about reading vintage\" href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/about-reading-vintage\"\u003eplease review them carefully, as they are part of the description. \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare and Handling:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHandle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Orders $35+ Ship Free","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48687749366015,"sku":"C3 – T7–289","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2503\/7976\/files\/98908982-ADB7-46B0-8C06-049C45628C61.jpg?v=1781535533","url":"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/products\/tline-of-history-hg-wells-two-volume-set-1950s","provider":"Reading Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}