Overview
The item is clearly identified by its title page as 'As You Like It' published by Grosset & Dunlap as part of their 'Cameo Classics' series.
Identification
Grosset & Dunlap Cameo Classics Edition of 'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Story
Grosset & Dunlap was a major American reprint publisher known for making literature accessible to the masses. In the mid-1930s, they launched the 'Cameo Classics' series, featuring iconic works bound with a distinctive composition cameo embedded in the front board. The inclusion of the Folger Library frontispiece dates this specific printing to after the library's opening in 1932.
Maker / Origin
Grosset & Dunlap
Condition & Value
For the Cameo Classics series, value relies heavily on the integrity of the composition cameo, which is prone to chipping, cracking, or falling out entirely. Fading to the spine cloth and wear to the extremities are also common issues.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for mid-20th-century decorative publisher's bindings like the Grosset & Dunlap Cameo Classics is driven by aesthetic appeal rather than textual rarity. Buyers are typically decorators, casual collectors of vintage books, or Shakespeare enthusiasts looking for display pieces. These volumes move steadily but slowly at accessible price points, with a premium placed on pristine cameos and the presence of the fragile original slipcases.
Value Drivers
▲ Distinctive 3D cameo binding strongly appeals to vintage decor buyers
▲ Verified sold comp at $44 establishes a clear ceiling for excellent copies
▲ Folger Library frontispiece and scholarly notes add minor interest for Shakespeare collectors
Concerns
▼ Unverified slipcase — missing the original box drops the value toward the $20-$25 floor
▼ Cameo condition — any chipping or cracking to the composition insert severely impacts decorative value
▼ Spine fading — common in this series and reduces display appeal
Best Venue
List on broad online marketplaces like eBay or Etsy, targeting the vintage decor or classic literature niches. Price around $35-$45 if the cameo is pristine and the slipcase is present; drop to $20-$25 if it is an unboxed copy. Ensure clear, well-lit photos of the cameo insert are included in the listing, as this is the primary selling feature.
Upside Potential
If the book is in pristine, unread condition with a structurally intact, un-chipped original slipcase, it could reach the $50-$60 range to a dedicated collector completing a Cameo Classics set.