Hamlet in Shorthand

Tales from Shakespeare:"Hamlet," by Charles and Mary Lamb
Shorthand plates written by Winifred Kenna Richmond
Illustrations by Astrid F. Gescheidt
New York: Gregg Publishing, 1931
Rare Book & Special Collections Division (6.1)

To give students practice in reading its popular system of shorthand, the Gregg Publishing Company issued familiar stories in shorthand, such as this version of Hamlet from Tales from Shakespeare (1807) by siblings Charles (1775-1834) and Mary (1764-1847) Lamb. The Lambs' prose retelling of the stories of Shakespeare's major plays has been popular since its publication. It has attracted well-known illustrators and introduced many generations of children to Shakespeare's plays. This page shows one of the play's most memorable scenes—Hamlet in the graveyard, holding the skull of his childhood playmate, the jester Yorick.