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.

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)

Vademecum Series

Q:  Looking for info on this book, Allegories of the Heart, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Any info you can offer would be much appreciated. Thanks!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1905-1906.

It originally came within a labeled box. An example is here.

It is a reprint with nominal value only.

Non Series #64 Grimm's Fairy Tales

Q:  I believe that this book was published in 1888 w/Grimm's Goblins. Inside are ten beautiful illustrations. There is an introduction by John Ruskin but no publication date, etc.

It is in excellent condition. Can you give me the estimated value of this book?

A:  Your book was published in 1918. Henry Altemus Co - Non Series #64

Without the dust jacket, even in nice condition, it is worth less than $20.

Shown here is the other 1918 format.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  A Wonder Book. Nathaniel Hawthorne. Illustrated. No publication date. Inscribed with Mary Brooks signature, class of Reduman S. S. Ephiphany 1900. Miss Banks Class.

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Sanspareil Series. This is the cover pattern for all of the 110 titles of this year. All of the volumes are reprints.
Henry Altemus Company - Sanspareil Series 163
The covers have been seen in several colors and originally this book came with a dust jacket. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Could you please tell me what year this book was out on the shelfs and what the value might be?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. All of the titles in this series are reprints and originally came within a labeled box.

Your book only has nominal value.

The covers have been seen with various colors.

Grolier Series

Q:  Hello, I was wondering if you could give me any info on this copy of THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM. Any info would be help full I believe it's cover is suede?

A:  The Grolier Series is a 28 volume group of ooze-calf covered titles. They are all reprints which were published by Altemus in 1904.

Green, brown and red color covers have been seen. These books originally came within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I hope you can help with the date of a recent Henry Altemus edition of the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. I've attached pics of the cover (2) & inside page. The copyright date page shows 1895 by Henry Altemus.
Any light you can throw on this will be appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This publisher’s series contained only reprinted titles.
Your book was published in 1896. During that year this was the cover pattern although different color covers have been seen. See here.