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.

Yuletide Series

Q:  I found this book in a box that was in a barn that we were cleaning out can you tell me if it's worth anything. A Christmas Carol

A:  Your book is part of the eight title Yuletide Series. These limp velvet calf covered books are all reprints and were published in a labeled box between 1912 and 1918.

They generally sell for between $10-20 in nice shape.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I just procured a book, which has the wording on the title page "Henry Altemus Philadelphia" of Essays, First Series of Ralph Waldo Emerson. There is no copyright date anywhere. Looks to be about 1900 or before; according to your website info on dating it was probably published before 1900 when the word "Company" was added on the title page to Henry Altemus--am I understanding this correctly? At the back, there is something that might help with dating. Under "Henry Altemus' Publications there is a section which has the heading "Altemus' New Illustrated Vademecum Series". (May I infer that, then, this book was published in 1894 or '95?) Below this, it says "Masterpieces of English and American Literature..." etc. Below this paragraph, it says "Full cloth, Ivory finish, ornamental inlaid sides and back, boxed, 40 cents." As per your suggestion, I enclose photos of the cover and title page.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898.
It originally came within a labeled box.
This title is a reprint.
See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  First of all thank you for taking the time to read this email. While going through a few boxes a friend and I found a book amongst many. Looking inside we couldn't find any kind of copyright or any kind of information of the sort, only the publishing company.

I was hoping you would possibly be able to help us find out a little more information about the book. Milton's Poems

The book itself seems to be a lot of John Milton's earlier work. It's a fairly small book to today's standards. Only about 6.5x4.5 inches. Your help would be every much appreciated.

A:  Your book was published in 1903 and is part of the Vademecum Series.

See: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series / European Artists and Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series (later numbering) Series 180

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

Because it is not a very collectible title, it only has nominal value.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hello, I have owned this book for a long time and was hoping you could authenticate it. I have attached pictures and the copyright stamp from inside the book. I also included a picture of the inscription inside that states the book was received on 12:25/1902 and reading completed on 1/13/1903. I have never altered the book so what you see is how it came to me. Is this authentic? Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

A:  If you are asking if the book is really from around 1903, yes it is.

It is part of the Boys and Girls Classics' Series.

It is a reprint and has nominal value only.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello! I was wondering if you can provide any information about this book of John Milton's earlier poems such as what edition it is, its market value, and anything about its original publication. Milton's Poems

A:  Your book was published in 1901 as part of the Vademecum Series.

It is one of numerous reprints published in that era and has only nominal value.

Christmas Gift Series

Q:  I have this book, The Song of Hiawatha, and I need more info on it. It appears to belong to the "Altemus Christmas gift series."

Can you tell me anything about it?

A:  This book is part of the “Christmas Gift Series”. Henry Altemus Company - Christmas Gift Series 65

This 25 volume series of reprints was published between 1906 and 1907. The books originally had a piece of holly attached to the front cover and were sold in a labeled box.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I am wondering if you might be able to give me the approximate value of this book? The Night Before Christmas. Copyright is 1918 and it has a blank page on the inside cover indicating an early version.

A:  It is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series.
This book is the earlier of the two formats of this title. It was published between 1918 and 1921. After that the red lettering was changed to black. Originally this volume came with a dust jacket.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  HI found this book with a few older books and was wondering it's worth!! The Pathway of Promise

A:  This book was published in 1905-1906 and is part of the Petit Trianon Series.

It originally came within a labeled box. See here.

It is a reprint of a not very collectible title. Thus, it has only nominal value.

Beautiful Stories Series

Q:  What would you value this book? The First Christmas

A:  This book is part of the ten volume Beautiful Stories Series. This volume is from Format 4 of 6 formats and originally came with a dust jacket. These titles were first published in 1906 and reprinted many times into the 1920s.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a old book that says published in 1898... Titled "What is Art" do you know anything of this one?
Strange thing is ... There's a pic of a little girl in the back, that appears to be a sketch .. But she has period clothing on and hair was on shoulders and curly.. Big bow in it.. Holding an umbrella?

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. During this year the volumes in this series all had the same decoration on the left part of the front cover. On the right half there were numerous decorative patterns seen. All the books within this series are reprints. They were originally sold within a labeled box. (See here)