Henry Altemus Company

The following are questions submitted via email by our visitors.

If you have a question about Altemus books that you'd like answered please click on the Questions link at the bottom left of this page.

Doris Force Series

Q:  I noticed you have a biblio for the Doris Force books, and you have the last 2 dated at 1932. However I have a copy of Doris Force at Barry Manor (fine in a near fine dj) by Donohue and the copyright info is "MCMXXXI, by H.A. Co." Obviously that is 1931. How did that discrepancy come about?

A:  The copyright of Barry Manor is 1932.

As you can see Altemus had the original copyright in August of 1932.

Donohue reprinted this book several years later. They probably just copied the date down wrong!

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  Hello! At a charity auction I acquired a copy of an Altemus Paradise Lost book.

Inside the book is an inscription which reads: "To my dear niece Gertrude, from Aunt May. Christmas 1888"

However, I think this may not be authentic, as it appears the book would not have been published until mid-1889. Out of curiosity, do you know if it would have been possible to have the book prior to 1889?

I've attached pictures of the book for reference!

A:  In most years the next year's edition would come out at Xmas before the new year. So for example a book which is a first edition with the date on the title page may still have an inscription of December of the year before.

Boys and Girls' Classics

Q:  I have a Black Beauty book that i cannot find a match to anywhere. The cover for it looks exactly like this Twice Told Tales copy except the picture is of Black Beauty with a rider in a green riding habit. The illustration is similar to those on other Black Beauty book covers. I would like to know more about this book and if it has any value. Thanks!

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series58.htm with the Boys and Girls' Classics
Depending on condition it is worth only a few dollars.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I was wondering if you can give me any info on this book, the title is “Poems” the author is Oliver W. Holmes and the publisher is Henry Altemus Philadelphia Copyright 1895

A:  It is part of the Vademecum Series. See ../series/series180.htm for info on your book.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Devotional Series

Q:  We have a book written by Rev. Charles Spurgeon (John Ploughman's Talk). Published by Henry Altemus Company. No publishing date is listed. Could you tell us something about this book. Does it have any value?

A:  Your book was published in about 1907 as part of the Devotional Series.

See ../series/series75.htm

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I searched all over your site but I could not find anything with this cover. It is missing the first six pages and would love to know the year in which it was printed. thank you!

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series57.htm

It is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. You should be able to accurately date it by looking at the ads in the back of the book.

See the last book published in a series and then look up the series.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have attached a picture of my book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in hopes you would be able to tell me what year it was published. I appreciate any information you can give me.

A:  Your book was published in 1904. See ../series/series180.htm

It is a reprint and originally came within a labeled box.

Boys and Girls Classics Series

Q:  I have 'Fairy Tales' by Hans Christian Andersen, Illustrated by Four Full Page Pictures in Color plus 100+ black and white illustrations with the Altemus ads in the back. The contents are complete with 224 plus 16 pages of ads. However I’m not sure whether there is a title and publisher page missing as the binding is loose with some sections unattached, but still held together with the tied binding. The cover is somewhat discolored, but still very bright including frontispiece.
I've attached pictures and would love any information you may have as to the value of the book. Contents:

Preface
The Swineherd
The Old House
The Story of a Mother
The Bell
The Red Shoes
The Shirt Collar
The Nightingale
The Leaping March
The Saucy Boy
The Ugly Duckling
The Darning Needle
The Emperor's New Suit
The Storks
The Daisy
The Steadfast Tin Soldier
The Angel
Thumbelina
The Flax
The Real Princess
The Shepherdess and the Sweep
The Flying Trunk
The Little Match Girl

Thanks

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girl's Classics Series. For information about this series see: ../series/series57.htm

This book only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently came upon this book that belonged to my grandparents. The Princess and Maud by Tennyson it was published in 1895 by your company. It has some water damage along the bottom and is cover is gently used. Can you tell me if this book has any value?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. See ../series/series179.htm

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, Recently I went in my attic to clean up and I came upon this old book titled "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland". I looked in the book and it appears to be very old. Also a previous owner of the book wrote the date 1901 inside of one of the pages. I was wondering what the value is of this book? Also what was the publication date? I sent you a couple of pictures attached.

A:  This book was published between 1899-1901 and was part of the Beauxarts Series. (../series/series48.htm)

It is a reprint and most of the books of this series have only nominal value. Occasionally however, since there are many "Alice" collectors out there this title may sell for $20-30.