The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes

Really wanted the illustrations. I didn't realize that there were so many illustrations and that this book prints the stories in the original Strand magazine format. It's just like reading the original with numerous illustrations embedded inside the text. Totally superior to reading text only. Got this used for a few dollars and totally worth it. Recommend to anyone who want the full experience. But remember, not all the stories were illustrated and therefore some are missing form this book.

This is in regard to the hardcover edition. This edition is a facsimile edition with pages of the same size as the actual "The Strand Magazine". It is the best I've seen of numerous illustrated editions of the canon. The quality of the illustrations is excellent. With the exception of "A Study in Scarlet" and the "The Sign of Four" (which were not published by the Strand) all the stories are illustrated. The majority are by Sydney Paget who illustrated all the stories beginning with "A Scandal in Bohemia" and ending with "The Second Stain". The remainder of the stories are illustrated by Frank Wiles, Walter Paget, Howard K. Elcock and others.I have to point out I bought three of these in "used very good" condition. All of them were in very good condition as described by the seller. However, they weren't all the same. The first was published in 1989 and has a tinted "The Hound of the Baskervilles" by Sydney Paget on the dust jacket as seen in the product picture. It is a beautifully done book, with a blue cloth cover. The binding is excellent, the pages of superior paper, and the illustrations clear and sharp. The other two books were reprinted by the publisher in 1991 and 1992 respectively. Apparently there was a 1990 reprint as well. These books are slimmer than the original and have thin shiny paper that easily wrinkles if you are not careful. The dust jackets have a portrait of Sherlock Holmes by Frank Wiles from "The Valley of Fear" inset on a painting of a night time London street (possibly Baker St.) in an overall greenish hue. The books' covers are shiny and identical to the dust jackets. The bindings, while good, are not as good as the 1989 version. The print and illustrations (I'm happy to say) are equal to the 1989 version.

What a treat for Sherlock Holmes fans. Of course, I've read all of the stories and novels. Of course I already have the complete collection, and then some. This book is an amazing addition for fans.First, the downside. This is a facsimile of the ORIGINAL Strand issues, which means that some pages have text that looks a bit faded, or light, as has been complained about by other reviewers. But I ask you, what did the typical print look like 126 years ago? Most readers picked up magazines that had "soft print" off the shelf. So, I guess it's not a downside after all.To the most striking positive, this is Sherlock Holmes as was read in it's originality! This is as close to an actual copy as you will get. Next to my original 1907 edition of "Adventures, Memoirs, and Sign of Four" this is my second favorite collection of stories. (I admit, I would much rather read this copy, then risk turning the pages of my 110 year old book!To read it in it's original magazine, double column format with artwork from Sidney Paget is simply a treat! It transports you to a simpler time on the back streets of London.As a devoted fan and fellow Sherlock Holmes author, I cannot but praise it highly!You will not regret this book purchase.

If you are buying this book to have the Sherlock Holmes stories that were printed in the "Strand," then this is a great buy at $8.00. However, if you are particularly interested in the illustrations by Sidney Paget (it's "Sidney," folks, Sydney Paget was also a Englishman, but not an illustrator), then you are probably in for disappointment if you've seen them before. The original illustrations look like they've been xeroxed on a 1980s copier with the contrast turned to maximum. The shadowy drawings have been reproduced as starkly black and white with little of the wonderful shading that characterizes the original artwork. In short, buy this book for a cheap collection of Doyle's work (although not a complete collection of Sherlock Holmes) to carry around and read for fun, but if you're trying to get it accompanied by Paget's artwork (which frankly has become the iconic portrayal of Holmes), look for another anthology.

Anything Sherlock related is awesome. I won't review the text of this book because everyone knows the stories. But this being the ILLUSTRATED Sherlock, that's what I will address. What we have here are the original stories as published in the Strand magazine, but with the original illustrations by the original illustrator. This is what people saw when they were first exposed to Sherlock way back when. The illustrations are very cool actually. Black and white (of course), but with no borders. The edges of the room or scene or whatever simply aren't there. Makes for a neat effect. What I have just come to realize is that almost every actor the public has seen portray Holmes looks just like the guy that Paget saw in his head. That's all well and good I suppose but I have to wonder if I had read the text without any illustrations would I see the same guy. For my money Jeremy Brett is Sherlock Holmes. So now, as I read through this book, even with the original illustrations, I will see Jeremy. Just something I noticed.

Although not complete this selection has the original illustrations (mostly by Sidney Page)and layout of The Strand . Great stories of course, brilliantly told by Conan Doyle with a wonderful Victorian atmosphere of gas lamps, foggy streets and horse drawn cabs . Read from the start and work your way through. A cosy read on cold evenings...

Son loves this book - we read it together

I truly enjoy this book. Its the second one I've had as the first was so read and handled that the cover came off. Love the short stories great for dipping into when you just have an hour or so. The illustrations aren't always in the best place but I think they add to the book as its like snapshots of different era. My 14 year old son is now reading it too which is great.

The text is full of strange characters and errors which make it very difficult to read and enjoy.

GREAT SELLER+VALUE