The books of this 39 volume set of Shakespeare’s plays are among the most common of all Altemus published works. There are no books that I am asked about more than these volumes. Of course, since they are obviously reprints and are as common as pine beetles in Texas, they have virtually no value. As common as they are however, they are rarely found with dust jackets.

I have seen three different jackets as of this time. The front and the spines are the same but the reverse on the jackets differ. The earliest notes Henry Altemus not Henry Altemus Company as the publisher. Thus, it can be dated 1899. The latest one lists the 39 volume boxed set. The box for this set was first produced in 1909. The other jacket spans the two time periods.

For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series164.htm.

1899 Dust Jacket

1900-1908 Dust Jacket

Post-1909 Dust Jacket