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 purchased this book today, "Ten Nights in a Bar Room". Attached is a picture of the cover. I was wondering if I wasted my money? Could you tell me when it was published? On the third page, a hand written note is as follows: "Presented to Mr. Oliver Hill by his schoolmates in the Miltore Center Schools Oct. 15, 1901" Thank you for any info you have.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. It was published in 1900. See Series 180 Anything more than a few dollars and you spent too much.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I am attempting to date my pretty copy of Legends of the Province-House by Nathaniel Hawthorne. After looking at your site I am assuming 1899. Am I correct? Thank you for any information you might provide me!

A:  Well you are close on the date but not right. The actual date of publication is 1903-1904. You can see your book here: Series 143. It is part of the Petit Trianon Series that is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. There were multiple different cover designs for this series. The key to dating it is the pattern on the left side of the cover. Note how your book's pattern matches the others in the 1903-1904 group. I suspect that a picture or copyright in your book says 1899. This indicates when Altemus first published this title not when your particular book was published.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have recently received a book apparently put out by the Henry Altemus Company and am dying to know more of the details of the book but have yet to find any information of the book anywhere. I have read and reread the story of one of our greatest hero's this nation has ever seen. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the book title and in the book there has been placed an old stamp of sorts for an old Sunday school saying this book was given to a student in 1904. I would like to know as much information about the publication of this book by the company as possible. Is there any way you can help, as it would be much appreciated. Thank you very much for your time and a very happy holiday to you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. There are multiple different cover formats for this series. Your book is a 1904 edition.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this book and want any info you can share with me. What is the value of this book? Condition is excellent. There is a red box that this book was in with a little wear and tear consisting of scuff marks.

A:  Your book can be found at Series 180. It is part of the Vademecum Series which is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. It is a 1915 edition. Value is anywhere between zero and $25 (with the box) depending on which buyers see it. By the way, without the box it generally has very little value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I recently purchased a Henry Altemus book at a garage sale for 15 cents. After looking the book over I decided to research it on the publishers web site. The copyright page is dated for 1899 by Henry Altemus. Not publishing company. The book is the snow image by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I cannot find any other items in the book that refers it to a series. Is this considered an unknown book? Do you think the book has greater value? Thanks for your time.

A:  Actually that website on Altemus is mine. Your book can be found at Series 143. It is part of an Altemus publisher's series-The Petit Trianon Series. It was published in 1899. It has little collector value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I can not find any information on this book and its cover. "Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Can you help?

A:  This book is part of Series #143 The Petit Trianon Series. Your book can be found here: Series 143

It is shown with the 1899 books. The key in identifying this book is the pattern on the left side of the cover. It is characteristic of the 1899 books in this series. There have been numerous right sided cover decorations. Thus far I have seen 24 different patterns. Incidentally, this format originally came in a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am seeking information on the publishing date of a book that was published by your company. It is Poems Volume 1, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and I have attached two pictures of the book. I appreciate any information you can give me. Also, as you can see on the front cover, there seems to be some sort of black substance. Do you have any recommendations for getting this off the cover?

A:  Your book can be found here with the 1898 books. Vademecum Series I do not know how to remove the black substance.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I was wondering if you could tell me how old this book is and possibly how much it is worth

A:  Your book was published in 1901-1902.

See Petit Trianon Series

It has only nominal value.

This book like many of the books from this series, the Love and Friendship Series and the In His Name Series during any one year had an unchanging pattern on the left of the front cover. On the right of the cover however was one of 16 different flowers. They can be seen at the series site noted above.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi there,
I have an old copy of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Tanglewood Tales published by your company. I wonder if you could give me any information about this edition.
Thanks,

A:  Your book was published between 1909-1912 as part of the Vademecum Series. It originally came within a red labeled box.

It is one of a myriad of Altemus reprints of this title.

It has only nominal value.

See Series 180

Shakespeare's Plays

Q:  I was looking around the homepage but someone had done such a good job, I just couldn't find out information about the book I have. I bought my favorite play "Macbeth" (Half priced books) and when I got home a realized there is no information about it. As I learned it should be published around 1890's but that's all I know. It is different than others... the picture before the title page is different and the letters on the title page are black and red...
Title says:

Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
with The Historie of Macbeth
from Ralph Holinshed's chronicles of Scotland, 1577
Philadelphia Henry Altemus

There are no dates on the book. Has 192 pages. Thread binding.

I would be extremely happy if someone could help me out. And maybe let me know did I gain more than a great book.

A:  The Shakespeare's Plays Series included 33 books. It was published between 1899 and 1933. In 1899 the books listed Henry Altemus on the title page. Thereafter Henry Altemus Company was noted as the publisher. Thus, your book is an 1899 version. No real value but a nice book nonetheless.