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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have been trying to get an idea of the age of this book. Whittier's Poems. It has printed 1896, but I have come to understand that may not be the actual age. Can you give me any information on this book?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series series and was published in 1896. Usually, not always though, if an Altemus book has a date at the bottom of the title page, that is the publication date. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one well known exception.

This format was mostly seen in 1895 but as is apparent with your book, it was also seen in 1896. These books have been seen with many different color covers. Some examples are shown here.

As with all of the titles in the Vademecum Series, it is a reprint.

For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm.

Worldly Wisdom Series

Q:  I am looking to get an appraisal on this book and was hoping that this site could provide guidance. Worldly Wisdom from Emerson
Thank you in advance for your time and attention. It is greatly appreciated.

A:  This book is part of the four volume Worldly Wisdom Series.

There were five formats in this series. This book is from Format 4. See series here.

It originally came within a labeled box.

In this condition, it has no value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Any information you can give me on this book would be useful. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1899.

All the titles in this series are reprints. Originally this book was sold within a labeled box.

This cover has been seen in a number of different colors. See here.

It has nominal monetary value.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hi, Thanks for getting back to me. Can you tell me anything about this book? Is it from a series, etc.? Twice Told Tales

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. This series was published between 1899-1906.

There is a flow chart on the website which allows you to date your book. This is based on the ads in the back of the book.

Originally your volume came within a labeled box.

As with all the titles in this series, it is a reprint. It only has nominal value.

As an aside, the cover was designed by the Decorative Designers firm.

See: http://bookofbibliomaven.blogspot.com/2009/07/decorative-designers-and-series-books.html

Eternal Life Series

Q:  I have a beautiful little white book "God's Word and God's Works" - Martin Luther. Inside is a picture of Martin Luther facing page with title by Martin Luther - Philadelphia Henry Altemus in red. Back of that page is copyrighted 1896 by Henry Altemus - Henry Altemus, Manufacturer Philadelphia. I find no specific information on this book. I do want to sell it. Could you give me a little background and value of this book?

A:  Your book is part of the Eternal Life Series and was published in 1896. The leatherette volumes in this series have been seen in a number of different cover formats. Some examples are shown here.

The books in this series have little, if any, monetary value.

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  Hello, I have a book titled "Song of Sixpence" and I am trying to find as much out about it as I can.

A:  Hello, Your book is part of the eight title Bo-Peep Series and was published in 1905.

It originally had a dust jacket. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series55.htm

In this shape it has no monetary value.