Masterpiece Library of Short Stories. The Thousand Best Complete Tales of all Times and Countries.

Amazing and almost complete set of The Masterpiece Library of Short Stories in fine condition — truly a rare find and a literary treasure. This monumental early 20th-century anthology gathers the finest examples of the short story form from English and world literature, edited by Sir J. A. Hammerton in collaboration with an exceptional board of distinguished scholars.

A remarkable achievement in both literary scope and production quality, each double volume brings together classic and modern masters, accompanied by biographical and critical notes from leading voices of the age. Produced jointly by Allied Newspapers and The Educational Book Co., this handsome edition showcases the period’s dedication to craftsmanship — clean typography, firm bindings, and enduring materials.

Sets in this condition are seldom found complete. A superb collection for the discerning reader or collector.

• 9 hardcover double volumes (18 volumes total; Vols. 17–18 missing)

• Approx. 650 g per volume (total weight ~6.5 kg)

• Dimensions (each): 14 × 20 × 3.5 cm

• Publisher: Allied Newspapers Ltd. / The Educational Book Co., London

• Publication Date: c. early 20th century. Likely between 1920-1925

• Format: Hardcover, 9 double volumes (Vols. 1–18, missing Vols. 17–18)

• Condition: Excellent. Clean, unmarked pages; strong bindings; minimal shelf wear. One of the most complete surviving sets in such fine condition.

Editorial Board Highlights:

• Richard le Gallienne — Author and critic (The Book-Bills of Narcissus, Prose Fancies, Retrospective Reviews)

• Sir Edmund Gosse, C.B., LL.D. — Critic, biographer, poet, and Librarian of the House of Lords (1904–1914)

• Sir John Hammerton — Editor of The New Punch Library, Charles Dickens Library, and The World’s Great Books

• Professor Brander Matthews, Litt.D., D.C.L. — Columbia University, author of Aspects of Fiction

• Sir William Robertson Nicoll, M.A., LL.D. — Founder and editor of The British Weekly and The Bookman

• Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, M.A., Litt.D. — King Edward VII Professor of English Literature, Cambridge University

• Professor George Saintsbury, M.A., LL.D., D.Litt. — Author of A History of the French Novel and The Flourishing of Romance

• Professor Thomas Seccombe, M.A. — Editor and literary historian, Dictionary of National Biography

• Clement K. Shorter — Literary critic and biographer (Charlotte Brontë and Her Circle)

• Professor W. P. Trent, LL.D., D.C.L. — Co-editor, The Cambridge History of American Literature

• Carl van Doren, Ph.D. — Author, critic, and editor

• Sir Frederick Wedmore — Critic and author (The Life of Balzac)