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.

Young People's Library, Format 1

Q:  Hello I have been given some of my great grandmothers books and was told my copy of Through the Looking Glass is a rare first edition version one. I have attached some pictures could you confirm this for me and possibly direct me to the best place to sell such an item?

A:  Your "Through the Looking Glass" is not a first edition. It is one of a myriad of reprints published in the 1890's.

It is the first Altemus edition of this title. It is part of the Young People's Library, Format 1 and was published in 1895.

See Young People's Library Series 202 Format 1

Because of condition, its value is significantly limited.

Classics Series

Q:  Going through some of my grandmothers old books and found this one. I love old books and would just like to get some info on it, like date of publication etc. I can't seem to find this version on the internet like I have with the other books. Macbeth

Thank you so much! Let me know if you need additional pictures :)

A:  Your book is part of the Classics Series. It was published in the 1907-1909 era. Originally it was sold with a dust jacket.

It is a reprint.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Just found this in my dads old stuff he recently passed away. He has two but the other was a school book. I thought it would be neat to pass this to my children but there is not date of publish. Wasnt sure if i could find this out.
Thanks.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1905-1906. It originally came within a labeled box. See here.

All the titles in this series are reprints.

During this year the books in this series had four different flower appliqués on the covers which came in a number of different colors. The flowers are shown here.

See: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series (later numbering) Series 180

Trevose Series

Q:  Here are two pictures of my book maybe you can tell me about it and let me know if it's worth anything. The Greatest Thing in the World

A:  Your book is from the seven book Trevose Series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series176.htm) and was published between 1915 and 1933.
It originally came within a labeled box.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello! Would like to know the basics about this lovely book (Child's Garden of Verses) published by Henry Altemus Company. Based on the information in your website, am thinking it was part of the 1907 series, and is of little to no financial value, but it is a treasure to me from my grandmother's bookshelf. Thank you for taking a look!

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1907. The format that year had the acorn cover with one of four flowers pictured on the front cover. It originally came within a labeled box. See here for an example.

Petit Trianon (Third numbering) Series 143

Young People's Library

Q:  Hello. I would like a bit of info as to the value of this book. It seems to have only one printing? Please and thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 2. There are four formats in this series. The easiest defining feature is the spine.

Format 2 spine

Format 2 was published between 1898 and 1902. Your book was published between 1900-1902 because the Henry Altemus Company imprint was used on the title page beginning when Altemus incorporated in 1900.

Aesop's Fables was published in each format.

See Format 1

Your book has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi! I've had this book (Tales from Shakspeare) for several years, and overlooked the year on one of the pages. I'm just trying to figure out its publishing date and more information about it.

After looking on your website, I'm sure the book was published before 1900. However, the website also says, "Do not think your book was published in the 1860s. It is wishful thinking." The only date I see in my book is 1842.

I've attached some pictures. Whatever you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. I've kept this book wrapped up in a hard box since I got it. I would like to put it on display, but would like a notecard with it with information.

Thank you for any help you can provide!

A:  Your book was published in 1896 as part of the Vademecum Series.

It is a reprint.

The 1842 in the title page design indicates when Joseph Altemus (Henry's father) started the publishing firm. It is not book specific.

Vademcum Series

Q:  Hello, I recently found this book Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow published by Henry Altemus and was hoping you could give me more info. I believe the year is 1897. I was also wondering how much it might be worth if anything.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. It originally was sold within a labeled box. See example here.

All of the titles in this long running publisher’s series were reprints. This volume only has nominal value.

Belles-Lettres Series

Q:  A friend of mine works in construction and while on a recent job he saved a bag of books from going to the garbage truck. Inside that bag was this book, Nature and Art. We are curious to it's history, authenticity and value. Could some of those be determined by the photos I have provided?

A:  This book was published in 1896 and is part of the Belles-Lettres Series.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Kipling Series

Q:  Wee Willie Winkie - Is this a first edition?

A:  This book is part of the Kipling Series (Henry Altemus Company - Kipling Series 114) and was published between 1899-1901.

These books originally came with dust jackets. See an example here.

Altemus published no Kipling first editions.