Shakespeare Comedies Volume 1 and 2  1944 Random House In very good vintage condition V ixx
Title: The Comedies of Shakespeare (Complete 2-Volume Comedies Set)
Author: William Shakespeare
Publisher: Random House, New York
Date/Edition: 1944 Illustrated Edition
Format: Hardcover 2-Volume Set (Octavo). Classic cloth spines with gold gilt detailing and decorative graphic-patterned paper boards.
Detailed Description
This listing is for the complete, two-volume set of The Comedies of Shakespeare, published by Random House in 1944. Originally issued alongside a matching pair of tragedies, this beautiful 2-volume subset stands perfectly on its own, collecting all of the Bard's legendary comedic plays across continuous pagination (spanning well over 1,000 pages). It includes foundational theatrical triumphs such as The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, and The Merchant of Venice, closing out Volume 2 with a detailed glossary and scholarly notes.
A hallmark of this wartime edition is the beautiful, distinct text presentation paired with elegant, woodcut-style line illustrations by the celebrated mid-century graphic artist Fritz Kredel. With their uniform shelf appearance, handsome dark cloth spines, and geometric-patterned covers, these books offer a striking, intellectual look on a bookshelf and make an excellent addition to any classical literature or theatre collection.
Condition Report
Overall Condition: Very Good vintage condition across both books.
Bindings & Structure: Both volumes feature structurally tight, square bindings. The inner hinges are secure, ensuring the thick text blocks remain firmly attached to the covers.
Exteriors: The cloth spines show clean, distinct gold gilt lettering. The decorative patterned boards are bright with only minimal edge rubbing and minor shelf-wear at the corners.
Interiors: Pages are clean, complete, and flat. Free from heavy water stains, highlighters, or childhood pencil markings. Shows natural, uniform background age-toning typical of 1840s wartime paper stocks, which adds beautiful vintage character without affecting readability.