The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes Hardcover – January 1, 1976

Complete collection of Sherlock Holmes stories. Large enough pages, quality printing with dense characters, original illustrations, and a good price. Really enjoy re-reading the book.

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.

The book was in perfect condition and arrived early!

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.

Some folks like Bond, but I like Holmes. I think the whole point of Holmes existence is to show us how unobservant we are of the world that's around us. If we simply paid attention to things, we could all be like Holmes. But alas, we do not.There are some great stories in this collection, but I'm particularly fond of the Adventure of the Norwood Builder because it strongly emphasizes the statement I've made above. I also like the Mycoft Holmes story, not because of the violent adventure, but because Mycroft's character is just as fascinating as the character of Holmes. Talk about a gifted family.Doyle might be in my opinion the greatest writer of all time. Not only does he do an amazing job establishing character, he also constructs some of the most well-thought-out plots you'll find anywhere. And there's such hilarity in his stories too!The illustrations are amazing enough to do justice to the stories as well. I lost this book in a flood, but I think if I ever want to go back to Holmes, no other book but this will do. I'm sure the pictures play a part in this conviction.

modern restores a classic. well, almost. the resent modern Sherlock Holmes (the movies of today, bbc Sherlock, US Elementary) have brought back an interest in this strange detective. the illustrations are excellent, but the stories are.....are what? Dr. Watson relates the stories of his friend, but the reader is left in the dark, as is Watson, when it comes to solving a mystery. it usually goes something like this: "this is our man, Watson." with Watson saying "How did you know that?" and Sherlock saying, " elementary, my dear Watson. see the mud on the shoes that only comes from the Wedontgetit river, the lose hair on the collar, the finger nails of the right hand, the smoke ashes on the sleeve cuff. yep, that is the criminal." Well, this is all well and good, but the reader and Watson are never shown these things until Holmes brings them up. The reader is simply there for the intellectual show and display as Sherlock solves the case in an almost mystical manner. the reason to get this book is to watch that show. it is worth the read, but the today movies are better. as a side note, get the movie "without a clue". really, you will love it.

She liked it

First things first, for Kindle owners, there is an active Table of Contents!!This book has all of the Sherlock Holmes stories that were printed in "The Strand" complete with the original illustrations. I cannot empathize how much the illustrations add to the stories. I grew up with a copy of The Complete Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with the original illustrations and when I purchased a free version without the illustrations (and also without an active content table of contents) I just couldn't continue reading it (nostalgia for the original hard copy with illustrations I suppose)This is NOT however the complete listing of all of the Sherlock Holmes stories, the following listed below were not printed in The Strand and therefore and not included in this book,His Last BowThe Case-Book of Sherlock HolmesA Study in ScarletThe Sign of the FourThe Valley of Fear(I used to own these too and they are worth looking for!)