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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have found the attached book, The Princess and Maud, and wonder if you could tell me when it was published and if it's rare. I do not have any box or cover, just the book.

A:  Your book was published in 1897. It is not rare. It only has nominal value. See: ../series/series179.htm

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi. Your website is great. I have a Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam from the Petit Trianon series, 1905-1906, with the red and gold floral on the right and the daffodil on the left. I am considering giving it as a gift but would like to have some idea of the value. Can you help?

A:  Hello,
Although it is a very nice book, it is somewhat common and the title is in no particular demand. Without the box it probably only has nominal value. It can be seen at ../series/series143.htm

Shakespeare's Plays Series

Q:  I have enclosed 2 pictures of the book in question (Julius Caesar). There is no ISBN or publishing date. I found you by looking up the publishing company. Any information you can give me about this book would be GREATLY appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the 39 volume Shakespeare's Plays Series.
See ../series/series164.htm

This particular volume was published sometime after 1900. There is nothing that distinguishes a 1900 book from a later book.

The books of this series are very common. Frequently in lots of 10-30 they sell for less than a dollar a copy if they sell at all.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I recently found a copy of Shakespeare's Heroines by a Mrs Jameson. I'm trying to find out when it was published, as there is no date printed in the book. The cover looks very similar to one in the Vademecum Series you have pictured. The author died in 1860, but the introduction to the "second edition" speaks of her as though she were still alive, though I gather from your site it was printed around 1909. I'm very ignorant when it comes to antique books, so I hope you can explain this. Was it common for introductions to refer to the author in this way? Or is the copy I have not the second edition, but simply printed with the introduction to that edition?

I've attached a picture of the cover and the title page.

Thank you for your help!

A:  This book was published between 1909 and 1912 as part of the Vademecum Series.

What many of the reprint publishing companies did (including Altemus) was to reprint the entire book from an earlier copy. When Altemus did this, the new copy would sometimes include an earlier dated preface and the like. Thus, your assumption is right. Altemus reprinted the entire second edition.

Many of the books that Altemus reprinted are similar to this one with earlier prefaces included.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Please see attached photos; this little book (The Sketch Book) is in beautiful condition. What can you tell me about it? Also, when was it published? There is a preface to the revised edition written by W.I. and dated 1848 and next to it, sunniside.
Thank you for your time.

A:  Your book was published in 1897 as part of the Vademecum Series.
See ../series/series179.htm
It is a reprint from an earlier edition.
It has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Good Morning –
Could you please assist me in some background on this book (Uncle Tom's Cabin)? I see on your website that it was one in a series. The one pictured on your site looks different than mine.
Thank you,

A:  I think if you look at the 1894 book covers here ../series/series179.htm, you will see that your book is the same as the other Vademecum Series books of 1894. Your book is a late reprint of this title. It is relatively common and only has nominal value.

Children's Gift Series

Q:  Howdy,
I just found an old Altemus book: Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. It's got a different cover from the ones I could find on your website and doesn't seem to be part of a "young people's library" based on the lack of spine decoration. It's dated 1897, but obviously might not be from that early. It has four color plates and numerous Tenniel illustrations. (Color do not seem to be Tenniel.) No Tweedle Dee and Dum on the cover - rather it's the queens and Alice.

Any idea what series this is from? Or what year it was published?

A:  What applies to Alice applies to Through the Looking Glass. This answer was given as a response previously.

False description of Alice in Wonderland book on Ebay

I received two questions about a particular book up for auction on Ebay. The price was going through the roof but the description of the book was totally inaccurate.

Regarding Alice in Wonderland 1897 'rare' edition

That is the sale I am interested in, and rather relieved to hear you say that it is not all it is cracked up to be. I'm just beginning my foray into antique books, having purchased a few as gifts for friends and such, I've become quite fond of collectors items. You mentioned certain statements in the description that were inaccurate, and I was curious as to what these are. I am tremendously interested in eventually getting my hands on a copy of Alice in Wonderland but, as you have pointed out, there are a lot of people out there willing to pay far too much, and I'd rather learn it before burning 2-3 times the value of the book. Any information you can provide is deeply appreciated.

I became the highest bidder and came across your review on a site with a reference to your email to explain further some incorrections in the description? please elaborate for me as i do not want any ill bidding or buyers remorse and would appreciate your expertise.

A: First. Since Henry Altemus incorporated in 1900 to become Henry Altemus Company, any book with the imprint Henry Altemus Company has to be published in 1900 or later. You will see on one of the pictures that this is the case.

The copyright of this book comes from an 1897 edition that Altemus did publish. Altemus published this title in a myriad of formats-most all were actually published prior to this edition.

Go to my website-henryaltemus.com and put Alice in the Title Search to see all of the many formats.

This book is part of either Series #64 or #200 (they are the same series except for a name change). See: ../series/series200.htm and ../series/series64.htm.
These books were published between 1912 and 1920.

This book is not the "rare" Altemus first edition although I have to say that even if it were, it would not command this type of money.

The first Altemus editions actually were published in 1895. See ../series/series202F1.htm

This book (or one just like it) had been on Ebay for several years. The description at that time was very similar to this description. Whether this is the same seller or someone just using that description is unclear to me.

I certainly do not know everything but I have studied Altemus and its books for many years and maintain the website about Altemus.

I wrote an article last year about the Altemus "Alices" for the Lewis Carroll newsletter.

This is a nice book but its description is incorrect. In my opinion it is not worth near the present bid price. But I guess if a buyer pays this kind of money, it is worth the price to him/her.

Worldly Wisdom Series

Q:  Hello! I am curious about the value of this little book (Worldly Wisdom from Shakespeare) I’ve had for several years. It’s in pretty good shape, considering its age. The pages are loose, but it appears they are all there. Someone cut a rectangle out of the front endpaper (see picture) and the cover has what appear to be water stains in a pattern that suggests the book may have been used as a coaster.

A:  This book is not uncommon and generally sells for only a few dollars.

See Worldly Wisdom Series ../series/series195.htm

Children of the Bible Series

Q:  I have a copy of the Children of the Bible series The Boy Who Would Be King. The date of Copyright is 1905. I have included a copy of the cover from your website and wondered what it would be worth. It is in relatively good condition - there is a small tear on the bottom right corner, but all pages are there with no rips, or writing.

A:  The books of this series are not in very high demand. Without a dust jacket this title has only nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hi, I did not see my book on your site. Can you tell me from these images which series it belongs to?
These images are low res. If you need better resolution let me know.

A:  Your book can be found here with the 1898 books. Series 47

It is part of the Beauxarts Series which is a publishers series of reprints. It was published in 1898.