Antique Victorian Shakespeare The Comedies Illustrated Printed C. 1870s

A beautiful 19th-century Victorian illustrated edition of Shakespeare’s Comedies, published by Cassell, Petter & Galpin in the mid-to-late 1800s. This volume is part of Cassell’s celebrated illustrated Shakespeare series, edited and annotated by Charles and Mary Cowden Clarke and featuring engraved illustrations by renowned Victorian artist H. C. Selous.

The book retains its original period binding, with a leather spine, gilt decoration, and cloth-covered boards. Internally, the volume is illustrated throughout with finely detailed engravings depicting scenes from the plays.

This is a genuine antique book, not a modern reprint or facsimile, and represents the type of Shakespeare edition prized by Victorian readers and collectors.

Contents of this Comedies Volume:

• The Tempest

• The Two Gentlemen of Verona

• The Merry Wives of Windsor

• Measure of Measure

• The Comedy of Errors

• Much ado about Nothing

• Love's Labour Lost

• A Midsummer Night's Dream

• The Merchant of Venice

• As you like it

• The Taming of the Shrew

• All's well that ends well

• Twelfth-Night; or, what you will

• The Winter's Tale

About William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and one of the most influential dramatists in world literature. His plays have been continuously printed, read, and performed for over four centuries.

Victorian editions like this one played a major role in cementing Shakespeare’s place in education and family libraries during the 19th century. Cassell’s illustrated Shakespeare was specifically designed to combine scholarship, accessibility, and visual appeal, making it one of the most popular and enduring editions of its time.

About the Illustrator – H. C. Selous

Henry Courtney Selous (1803–1890) was one of the leading British illustrators of the Victorian era. He is especially well known for his dramatic and expressive illustrations for literary classics, including Shakespeare.

Selous’s engravings are highly regarded for their fine line work, emotional intensity, and theatrical composition. His illustrations for Shakespeare were a major selling point of Cassell’s editions and remain collectible in their own right today.

Condition

• Original Victorian binding present

• Spine lettering and gilt decoration visible

• Wearing along the edges of the cover

• Small staining along some of the pages edges

• Pages complete with illustrations present

Please review photos carefully

Notes for Collectors

• Genuine 19th-century illustrated Shakespeare

• Highly respected editors (Cowden Clarke)

• Collectible engravings by H. C. Selous

• Attractive shelf presence

• Ideal for collectors of Shakespeare, Victorian literature, or antique books