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:  Just curious about value of this small book ( about 4.5” x 6.5” ). Inherited from Aunt and believe date post 1900. Evangeline

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. It originally was sold within a labeled box.

All of the books in this series are reprints.

There were four different styles printed during these two years. The pedestal has been seen in three colors (beige-most common, blue and pink) and as an ooze calf book. A picture of any one of sixteen flowers are possible for the right half of the book covers.

It is a reprint and has nominal value (a couple of dollars).

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently came upon this copy of Chesterfield's Letters published in 1894. I was wondering if it has any value to someone who collects books and if so, how do I find a buyer? Thank you so much, have a wonderful day.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm

Your book is a reprint and has nominal value only.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Can you tell me more about the year and edition of this version of Pilgrims Progress?

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. It is a reprint.

This volume originally was sold within a labeled box.

There is a flow chart on the website page that can help you determine the date of publication based on the ads in the back of the book.

It has nominal value.

One-Syllable Series

Q:  Can you help me with this book? I could not find it on your site. A Child's Story of the New Testament

It says 'copyright 1909' by Howard E. Altemus just prior to the contents page. After reading recent posts I'm thinking it has no value but would like to hear it from an expert.

A:  Your book is part of the One-Syllable series and is pictured here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series137.htm

The One-Syllable Series contains 12 books and was first published in 1899. There are four formats in this series and your book is part of Format 4.

These latter books were published in the teens.

The book pictured does not have a very collectible title and without a dust jacket (shown here) only has nominal value.

Devotional Series

Q:  Just wondering what I have here. Gold Dust. I find no dates, but the back lists several books at prices from $.40 to $.50!

A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series. All of the titles in this series are reprints. It was published sometime between 1901-1904.

It was originally sold within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  This book belonged to my great grandfather. What is the current value, if any, as it is being passed on to family members? Greatly appreciated.
The Crucifixion of Philip Strong

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series.

This series contains a group of books, all unrelated, that are reprints. Each year or so Altemus would reprint these titles with a new decorative cover.

Your book was published in 1900. It originally came within a labeled box. It only has nominal value.

Devotional Series

Q:  I have been on your site numerous times trying to send you an email regarding a book donated to our library which does not have a publication/copyright date. Can you help me determine the monetary value of this book? Any assistance you can could provide would be much appreciated.

The name of the book is Abide in Christ: Thoughts on the Blessed Life of the Fellowship with the Son of God by Rev. Andrew Murray.

I've attached a picture of the cover of this book with this email (the date of Sept. 2016 refers to the month I sent this email to you NOT the publication date.)

A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series. It was published in about 1907 and originally came within a labeled box.

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Young People's Library Format 3

Q:  Just trying to get a worth on its version of you can help with that. A Child's Garden of Verses

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library. Format 3 books were published from 1902-1923. All the the titles in this series are reprints.

This book without a dust jacket has little, if any, value. See http://henryaltemus.com/blog/?p=1553.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I'm interested in finding out more about this book. Tanglewood Tales

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

This series had two formats. One with decorative gold gilt within the rectangular boxes on the front cover. One without those gold gilt decorations. (See here)

These book are all reprints and were published between 1899-1906. On the website there is a flow chart which can help you date your book.

They originally came within a labeled box.

Mother Goose Series

Q:  While preparing for a garage sale my wife came across this book published by the Henry Altemus Company of Philadelphia. The "Puss in Boots and Other Stories" is in relatively good condition (an amateurs opinion). Although there is no copyright date on it there is an inscription from my wife's Great Grand Mother to her daughter dated December 25, 1903.

Any help or direction you can lend in determining its approximate value would be appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Mother Goose Series.

The red coloring on the left half off the cover indicates it is from the first format of this series and based on the inscription, a 1903 or 1904 publication. The stories and contents were reprinted from previously published works. It originally came with a dust jacket.

Collectors would consider your book to be in fair condition without any value. What someone might pay at a garage sale is hard to know.