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PENGUIN SHAKESPEARE Series



'B' 1 - 37





The complete works of Shakespeare printed by Penguin in 37 volumes. B1 'Twelfth Night' was published in April 1937, along with five others that month. The series ended with B37 in September 1959.

The Penguin Shakespeare series, was a collection of the plays in a text specially prepared by G. B. Harrison, who edited the whole series. Dr Harrison equipped each volume with a comprehensive set of notes, a glossary and biography.

The original cover design (used in volumes 1 - 21) was by Edward Young, and he also used Times Roman type font. The illustration on the front cover is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings. Jan Tschichold designed the cover of volumes 22 - 37, with portraits by Reynolds Stone.

The first 18 titles (between April 1937 and April 1938) appeared before WW2 commenced and these were also published with stronger, more resilient, limp cloth covers and intended for use by schools and libraries. They were sold at the higher price of 9d. The earlier books had green covers and had 'The Story of the Play', a brief synopsis of the play printed on the back cover. Later titles were published with orange covers, the synopsis appeared on the front cover and a list of the eighteen volumes was reproduced on the back. A number of this variant are also illustrated on this page.



Information and cover photographs of the PENGUIN SHAKESPEARE Series:

Number: B1

Cloth cover

Series No.: B1
Title: TWELFTH NIGHT
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 22 April 1937
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.

The second and third images show the front and back covers of the strengthened limp cover versions for schools and libraries, and sold at 9d.


Images of cloth covers courtesy of Andrew Malin
Number: B2

Cloth cover

Series No.: B2
Title: THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 22 April 1937
Pages: 192pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.

The second and third images show the front and back covers of the strengthened limp cover versions for schools and libraries, and sold at 9d.


Images of cloth covers courtesy of Andrew Malin
Number: B3

Cloth cover

Series No.: B3
Title: HENRY THE FIFTH
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 22 April 1937
Pages: 144pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.

The second and third images show the front and back covers of the strengthened limp cover versions for schools and libraries, and sold at 9d.


Images of cloth covers courtesy of Andrew Malin
Number: B4

Cloth cover

Series No.: B4
Title: THE TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 22 April 1937
Pages: 160pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.

The second and third images show the front and back covers of the strengthened limp cover versions for schools and libraries, and sold at 9d.


Images of cloth covers courtesy of Andrew Malin
Number: B5

Cloth cover

Series No.: B5
Title: AS YOU LIKE IT
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 22 April 1937
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.

The second and third images show the front and back covers of the strengthened limp cover versions for schools and libraries, and sold at 9d.


Images of cloth covers courtesy of Andrew Malin
Number: B6
Series No.: B6
Title: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 22 April 1937
Pages: 112pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B7
Series No.: B7
Title: THE TEMPEST
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 6 August 1937
Pages: 112pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B8
Series No.: B8
Title: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 6 August 1937
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B9
Series No.: B9
Title: RICHARD THE SECOND
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 6 August 1937
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B10
Series No.: B10
Title: ROMEO AND JULIET
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 6 August 1937
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B11
Series No.: B11
Title: JULIUS CAESAR
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 6 August 1937
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B12
Series No.: B12
Title: THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 6 August 1937
Pages: 144pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B13
Series No.: B13
Title: HENRY THE FOURTH, PART ONE
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 8 April 1938
Pages: 142pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B14
Series No.: B14
Title: HENRY THE FOURTH, PART TWO
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 8 April 1938
Pages: 160pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B15
Series No.: B15
Title: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 8 April 1938
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B16
Series No.: B16
Title: OTHELLO
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 8 April 1938
Pages: 160pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B17
Series No.: B17
Title: ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 8 April 1938
Pages: 160pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B18

Cloth cover

Series No.: B18
Title: THE SONNETS and A LOVER'S COMPLAINT
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: 8 April 1938
Pages: 144pp.
Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd
Price: 6d.
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.

The second and third images show the front and back covers of the strengthened limp cover versions for schools and libraries, and sold at 9d.


Images of cloth covers courtesy of Andrew Malin
Number: B19
Series No.: B19
Title: THE WINTER'S TALE
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: September 1947
Pages: 144pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 1/-
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B20
Series No.: B20
Title: THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: September 1947
Pages: 160pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 1/-
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B21
Series No.: B21
Title: THE TRAGEDY OF TROYLUS AND CRESSIDA
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: September 1947
Pages: 160pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 1/-
The cover portrait is a wood-carving by Robert Gibbings.
Number: B22
Series No.: B22
Title: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: October 1951
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/-
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B23
Series No.: B23
Title: LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: August 1953
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/-
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B24
Series No.: B24
Title: RICHARD THE THIRD
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: November 1953
Pages: 160pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/-
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B25
Series No.: B25
Title: MEASURE FOR MEASURE
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: June 1954
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/-
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B26
Series No.: B26
Title: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: October 1955
Pages: 96pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B27
Series No.: B27
Title: ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: October 1955
Pages: 144pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B28
Series No.: B28
Title: THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: February 1957
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B29
Series No.: B29
Title: TIMON OF ATHENS
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: September 1956
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B30
Series No.: B30
Title: THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: October 1956
Pages: 112pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B31
Series No.: B31
Title: THE TRAGEDY OF CYMBELINE
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: May 1957
Pages: 160pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B32
Series No.: B32
Title: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: September 1957
Pages: 124pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B33
Series No.: B33
Title: TITUS ANDRONICUS
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: February 1958
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B34
Series No.: B34
Title: HENRY VIII
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: February 1958
Pages: 160pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B35
Series No.: B35
Title: PERICLES
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: September 1958
Pages: 128pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B36
Series No.: B36
Title: HENRY VI, Part One, Two and Three
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: March 1959
Pages: 384pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 5/-
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone
Number: B37
Series No.: B37
Title: THE NARRATIVE POEMS
Author: William Shakespeare
Series Editor: Dr G. B. Harrison
Date Published: September 1959
Pages: 168pp.
Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd
Price: 2/6d.
Portraits on the cover and on the title page were engraved by Reynolds Stone



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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: penguinfirsteditions.com gratefully acknowledges the kind permission of PENGUIN BOOKS LTD. (UK) to reproduce its book covers and, where incorporated, its various logos. We would remind users of this site that, as appropriate, Penguin Books Ltd. and its designers retain their copyright and/or intellectual property in the relevant material.


This page was last modified on 6 March 2017 (T)
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