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.

Young People's Library, Format 1

Q:  GOOD EVENING-I think I have a rare & scarce & valuable book? I was going to put it on Ebay but decided to do more research and then found your info. I hope you can help me.
I have a ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Lewis Carroll beige/silver-tone hardback. I think dating from 1895. Could be one of a combination of two. Says on top of title page: ALTEMUS YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. With 42 black & white ink illustrations. PHILADELPHIA HENRY ALTEMUS (has NO dust jacket)
I have found out tonight that the fact it says: HENRY ALTEMUS dates it to the correct date-1895 It is a smaller book 4 7/8" x 6 3/4" Has the Silver lettering on front with colored INK figures going diagonal from top left corner to lower right corner starting with Cheshire Cat-mouse-cards-and then Rabbit & Turtle on bottom. Haven’t found one online? In good shape for it’s age. Scuffing of corners-inside front cover is a pen scripted personal signature. Spine pulling away some. Some warping of some pages.

A:  Your book is from the first format of the Young People's Library. Since there is no date on the title page, it was published between 1896-1898. Looking at the ads and using the chart on the website- http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm- it should be easy to date the book exactly. It is not the earliest edition of this format that was published in 1895.

This book is not uncommon and usually sells on Ebay for between $25-75. The last two sold for $21 and $35.

Vademecum Series/Leinbach and Bro.

Q:  I acquired an Altemus book that appears to have been made for a local business in Reading Pa to give to customers. Mosses from an Old Manse

Its ad says they were in business since 1865 and reference 35 yrs which would put publication at around 1900.

Can you provide any info?

A:  Altemus had a long relationship with Leinbach and Bro., a Reading, Pa. department store. As early as 1892 and as late as 1915 Leinbach gave away Altemus books as some type of promotion. The books had an advertisement for Leinbach in the front and the back. Usually on the back cover there was a stamped "Compliments of Leinbach & Bro.".

For more information see: Leinbach and Bro.

The book above is a 1903 book from the Vademecum Series.

Vademecum Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book? Weird Tales

A:  This book was published as part of the Vademecum Series in 1895. It is a reprint as are all of the books in this series.

In 1895 this basic cover design was seen in a number of different colors. Some examples are shown here.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I found this website by Googling the name of this book I found in my family’s heirlooms. Looks like it was given to a relative in 1908 for Christmas (Inscription on one of the first pages). The Foolish Fox
I would love to know any information you have on this book and what it is worth. I'm putting together a list of things, with estimated values, for an estate.

A:  Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series, Format 1 and was published in 1904. This format was only published for a short time and by the end of 1904 was replaced with Format 2 books.

Originally the six books of the series were sold in three boxed sets. The Foolish Fox was boxed with The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Fair value would be $10-20.

One Syllable Series

Q:  Hello, I have a copy of Gulliver's Travels. 1899 format 2 in good/fair condition. What might it's value be?

A:  This book is from the One Syllable Series. It is part of the later Format 2 (of 4) books and printed between 1905-6 and 1909.

It is a reprint and originally came with a dust jacket.

In this poor shape it has nominal value only.

The formats of this titles are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I found your website and wondered if you could help determine the market price of The Cricket on the Hearth published by Henry Altemus.
Thanks much.

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

During this year four different flower patterns were placed as paste-ons (appliqués) on the covers. See here.

The covers were published in a number of different colors and the books came in a labeled box. See here.

All of the titles in this series are reprints so only the most collectible ones have any significant value.

This title is not among the valuable ones (in my opinion).

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I found this small book and was trying to determine when it might have been printed. From what I have read on the web site it appears it may have been prior to 1916, although the information does not mention red lettering on the blue-grey cover. Is there any value to this book? The Robber Kitten

Thank you for any information you are able to give.

A:  Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks' Series-Format 2.

This book is pictured as Format 2b #6. It was published between 1912 and 1918. Note that between 1904 and 1912 this title was published with a green not beige cover.

It originally came with a dust jacket. It is pictured here.

Without the jacket it has minimal value.

Favorite Series for Young People

Q:  Hello, I was cleaning out my bookshelf and found a copy of Altemus' Favorite Series Alice In Wonderland and was wondering if it held any value. I think it's a Format 1 #2 (via your ultra-informative website) and there is a light pencil inscription that reads "Glenn [S or G] Murphy, Christmas 1901" on the inside.

A:  Nice book. You are right. It is from the Favorite Series. It is much less common than the Young People's Library versions that sell reasonably well on Ebay.

If you are selling it, I think Ebay is a pretty good place and I would expect $25-50 but maybe more depending how you describe it. Dating it should be easy (1900-1901) if you look at the ads in the back and then the dating information on the web page: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series87.htm

In an informative blurb I would stress that it is from the Favorite Series and is fairly rare etc.

The books in this series did come with dust jackets but they are very hard to find.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hello,
Thank you very much for being out there with needed information. I actually read this book last night with pleasure, first time since the late 40’s probably, at that time with less pleasure, and this morning it occurred to me that it might be valuable. No marks on it of any kind. Robinson Crusoe
Is it worth anything?

A:  This book is a reprint as are all of the titles in the Young People's Library. Unless it is a very collectible book (e. g. Alice in Wonderland) or has a nice dust jacket, the volumes in this series have little monetary value.

For more information see: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series202F3.htm Examples of this title's dust jackets are shown there.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  This is a Henry Altemus Company's Publications, Mother Goose Rhymes, Jingles and Fairy Tales, some of first pages are missing, can you provide any info on this book. It was given to my grandmother in 1912. Thanks.

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

The 15 titles in this series are all reprints and were published between 1908 and 1926. Originally they were sold within a floral decorated box.

Dating your book can be done by looking at the ads in the back of the book and dating the latest editions listed.

Unless a book in this series is in great shape or a special title, it has little value.