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 a book entitled, "Heroes and Hero Worship" by Thomas Carlyle. It is hardback, 4 3/8" wide and 6 1/4" tall with a cloth on cardboard cover. It has some red printing and lovely plates depicting Martin Luther and other 'heroes'. It is 337 pp. long and says "Henry Altemus, Manufacturer: Philadelphia on the title page.

Would this be the original first edition printed in 1841? Any idea of value?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. This series was a multivolumed, multiauthored group of books which were reprints of the original editions. This book was originally published in the early 1840s. It originally came in a box.

Because it is a reprint with no special collector interest it has limited value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Please find inclosed three attachments showing you my copy of Oliver W. Holmes' poems published 1902 by your company. On your web site your answer to an inquiry on 27 jun 2006 shows a different photo. My copy has a presentation dated 1902 from a Madeline Hmas to a cousin Olive From. It has 168 pages with a index of other publication. The poem Cambridge Churchyard is on page 13 as well. The book is in fairly good condition as the photos shows; but if there is anything else you could tell me about this edition I would appreciate the information including possible collectors value.

A:  This book is the 1900 version of the Beauxarts Series. This series had several different covers over its short publication run. The inquiry on June 27, 2006 shows a cover from this series that was published in 1897. There is no inconsistency. It has very little, if any, collector interest or value.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I have a book inherited from my mother, Henry Altemus Company's book of Rip Van Winkle by Irving. It's not listed on your web site and there's no date. I was wondering if you have any information

A:  This cover design was used in two different series. The first was Series #58- The Boys and Girls Classics. This series was published between 1900 and 1906 and consisted of 40 books. The other series was The Boys and Girls Own Library (#59) which was published in 1909-1910 and had 39 books. The date of your book can be determined by looking at the ads in the back and dating the books listed.

These books are not uncommon but the cover is quite nice and depending on the title there may be a little collector interest.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently acquired a copy of a book called Representative Men that I would love to put a date to. It doesn't appear to be dated anywhere, however. The cover appears to be green with a gold and red design; once opened, it opens to a series of pages (some entirely blank and for this reason not mentioned) starting with a blank page with the text "Representative Men", then a more decorative title page saying Representative Men ... Ralph Waldo Emerson ... Henry Altemus Philadelphia, then a page with a portrait of Ralph Waldo Emerson followed by a page that says Representative Men ... Ralph Waldo Emerson ... Philadelphia ... Henry Altemus (the dots just signifying that the following text is a below the preceding). I'm quite curious about its age as I love collecting old knickknacks. I have attached photos and thank you for your help!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898. This multivolumed, multiauthored series of reprints was published between 1894 and 1926 with numerous different cover formats. The 1898 books came initially in a box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of House of Seven Gables, published by the Henry Altemus Company. The book is 4 x 6 inches in size. The cover is green, with gilt lettering and red flowers. Pictures of the cover and flowers are attached. Can you please advise as to age and approx. value of this copy.

A:  Your book was published in 1896 as part of the Vademecum Series. This multivolumed, multiauthored series of reprints was published between 1894 and 1926 with numerous different cover formats. The 1896 books came initially in a box. Unless you can find a collector who is very interested in this particular format of this title, your book only will garner nominal value.

Dainty Series

Q:  I have a book (copy attached) that is titled "The Silver Buckle - A Tale of the Revolution. It is authored by M. Nataline Crumpton. The 6th page reflects the words, "Copywrite 1899 by Henry Altemus. The illustrations were by Cornelis E. Bedford. Can you give me more information and value?

A:  Your book is volume # 1 in the Dainty Series. It is part of the 3rd format (of five) published between 1903 and 1905. Without a dust jacket it has little collector value or interest.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  Good evening,

I have a very nice hardbound copy of Black Beauty published by Henry Altemus Philadelphia. I am attaching a picture of the book--beautiful cover.

Can you help my by telling me the approximate date of publication on this book????

A:  Your book is part of the multivolume, multiauthored publisher's series called the Sanspareil Series. This series was published in 1898 and 1899. Your book was published in 1899. It originally had a dust jacket.

Young Folks Puzzle Pictures Series

Q:  I have an Altemus book, Mother Goose's Puzzle Pictures. The condition is not very good, but I was wondering if you could tell me anything about it - the title page is marked Philadelphia, Henry Altemus Company, and on the back of the title page Copyright, 1906, by Howard E.Altemus. No author, but the Introductory section is initialed J.H.W. at the bottom. I looked on your site to see if there was any info but was not able to find any . . . Thanks is advance for any help!

A:  This series of 5 books was published in dust jackets in 1906 (your book-Volume 1) and 1907 (Volumes 2-5). The puzzle in these books is finding the hidden object within each page. For more information: Young Folks Puzzle Pictures Series

Young People's Library - Format 3

Q:  The attached picture shows the cover of the book Swiss Family Robinson by Altemus Henry. The inside is stamped 1893-Philadelphia Henry Altemus Company, Can you give us an idea of its worth? Thanks.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library-Format 3 published between 1902 and 1923. The exact date could be determined by reviewing the ads in the back of the book. Although a nice book, it is worth no more than nominal value because of lack of collector interest.

Esperance Series

Q:  I am attempting to get some information about a book that was given to me many years ago by a family friend. It is a copy of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. On the title page it says
Philadelphia
Henry Altemus Company
On the back side of that page it says: "Copyright 1896 by Henry Altemus"

It is a small 6 1/4" long x 4 1/2" wide with a soft suede green cover with a pattern of embossed oak (?) leaves on the cover. The front cover is faded but the gilt lettering of the title is still easily readable. Inside there is a split between the lower half of the first 3 pages and the rest of the pages in the book (along the spine).

Can you give me any idea of when it was actually printed, it's orginal cost and value today?

A:  I am enclosing a picture of what I think you are describing. This book comes from the Esperance Series. If I am incorrect, let me know.

Info about this series is at:
Esperance Series

These books were published later than your 1896 copyright. The 1896 reflects when Altemus first published this title. (In a different format).

Your book originally came with a box.

Without the box the book does not usually sell for more than nominal value. Of course, you never know what someone will pay.