The First Men in the Moon

REFUTES the census claim. The census states the UK Newnes precedes the US Bowen-Merrill; the precedence runs the other way. Three independent dealer descriptions agree that the Bowen-Merrill (Indianapolis) edition preceded the George Newnes (London) edition by approximately one month, with the American edition appearing in October 1901: John W. Knott, Jr. (ABAA/ILAB), citing Currey p. 518 and Hammond B7; Arundel Books ("one month" before the UK Newnes edition); and Moe's Books ("Published in October, a month before Newnes edition in England"). The Bowen-Merrill is therefore the true first edition in book form — an exception to the usual pattern for Wells, whose scientific romances generally appear first in London. Both editions are collected and both should be named: Bowen-Merrill (Indianapolis) 1901 for precedence, Newnes (London) 1901 as the first British edition and the one carrying the twelve Shepperson plates. The novel was serialized in The Strand (London) and The Cosmopolitan (US) across 1900–1901, so the serial appearance precedes both book editions. Wikipedia records both 1901 editions but establishes no precedence and cites no source for sequence; it is not proof either way.