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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.

We recommend that those inquiring about the identification of a particular book format send pictures along with their question.

 

Click thumbnail images to enlarge.

 

Questions & Answers
Date Series Num Information
31 Dec 2016 143

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  While cleaning out my 100 year old great grandmother's basement, I located a Romeo & Juliet book that belonged to her mother. It appears to be a fairly early addition, but I am hoping you can offer further insight, including year published, & what you believe the value to be. Thank you for your time.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899-1900. All the volumes in this series are reprints. This book originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

This basic format has a stereotyped pattern on the left side of the cover and one of numerous decorations, floral and otherwise on the right half. Some examples are shown here.


29 Dec 2016 57

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hello. I had recently come across your website, and I must say that it is very informative. I would like to ask you a question about a certain book that I have. I believe that it comes from the Boys and Girls' Classics (new), as your site identifies by its dust jacket: http://henryaltemus.com/series/images/S57_sw7a.jpg

I have the Black Beauty story version, and my question is about how much do you think that my book would sell for?

I will include pictures of my book in this email.


A:  This book is part of the 15 title Boys and Girls Classics Series.

These books were published between 1908 and 1926 and are all reprints. They originally came within a florally decorated labeled box.

A number of different linen swatch pictures are seen on these books. Certain cover pictures were seen in different years. See the website for details.

In this shape your book has no monetary value.


27 Dec 2016 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Please give me any information regarding:
The Blithedale Romance (The Blithdale Romance, on the cover)
By Nathaniel Hawthorne
In great condition. Given as a gift in 1902.
What is worth? Thank you


A:  Your book is a reprint and was published in 1902 as part of the Vademecum Series.

See: Vademecum Series for variant covers published during 1902.

This book only has nominal value.


17 Dec 2016 114

Kipling Series

Q:  Hi, I picked this book (Gemini) up because I love Kipling and was curious about it, i saw that it is part of a series - do you know anything else? Is it rare? I cant seem to find it on any rare book sites. Thanks!

A:  Your book is part of Altemus's Kipling Series. This 21 title series was published in 1899.

The books originally came with dust jackets.

Uncommon, yes - Rare, no. Any book with a jacket would be fairly rare.

A picture of the dust jacket is shown here


14 Dec 2016 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a really old Cranford book with your name on the publishing part. Any value?

A:  Your book is a reprint published in 1907 as part of the Vademecum Series. In this shape it has no monetary value.

More than 40 different appliqué pictures have been seen within this front cover template.

The pictures (European oil paintings) in some instances can be combined to make up larger pictures.

For more information see: http://henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm


12 Dec 2016 202

Young People’s Library

Q:  I have a copy of this book in my possession, I was wondering if it is valuable? Uncle Tom's Cabin. This inside jacket says Copyright 1900.

A:  You have shown a book from Series 202 Young People’s Library. With slight color variances this cover is #30 in both Format 2 and Format 3. Format 2 books were published between 1898 and 1903 and had a distinctive spine pattern. Format 3 books are published between 1903-1923 and also had a particular spine decoration. Without a dust jacket neither has significant value.

See http://henryaltemus.com/ypl/index.htm for more details.


10 Dec 2016 143

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  what is this book? Twice Told Tales

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/images/S143_1899_p17.jpg

All the of the titles in this series are reprints.

In 1899 these books came boxed. There is only one format but it was published with numerous variant covers. The left half of the front cover is unchanged but the right half has been seen with many different decorative patterns. A few examples are shown here.

Except for very collectible titles, none of the books in this series have more than nominal value.


08 Dec 2016 179

Vademecum Series

Q:  Greetings, I found this book with my Uncle's treasured item's. He was born in 1917 and the book was his mother's. Wondering if it is worth keeping? Picture of cover and title page below. Also, as an attachment is the signature and date of owner which is inscribed on the page opposite the front cover. The Princess and Maud. Thanks much.

A:  Your book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897.

All of the titles in this series are reprints so only a very collectible title has any value. This title is not one of the valuable ones.

In 1897 this format was seen with a number of different color covers. Some are shown here.

This series was originally sold within a label box. See here for an example.


06 Dec 2016 55

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  We were going through an attic at Grandmas house and came across this book with a copyright of 1905. Little Bo-Peep. Is it worth anything?

A:  This book is part of the Bo-Peep Series. All eight of the titles were published in 1905. Although nice books for children, they have no significant value.

These books originally had dust jackets an example of which is shown here.


04 Dec 2016

Altemus Bibles

Q:  Wondering if u have any info on date of this Bible...

A:  Henry Altemus published Bibles from the 1870’s to after 1900. Most of their Bibles were published between 1884 and 1896. Thereafter there are no advertisements or listings for Altemus volumes.

As of this time I have seen more than 60 covers. There are patterns where a particular cover is seen most often with certain internal features.

The website lists most of the combinations. http://henryaltemus.com/bibles/bibles.htm

This Bible was published in the 1894-1896 era and is listed as B11 on the website.


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