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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi! I picked up this copy of Othello the other day and can’t seem to find another like it online- I'm sure it’s nothing but I wanted to reach out because I saw it on the title list of the mysterious l'art nouveau series. I appreciate any information you can give me!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. Published in 1903.
http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm

Marqueterie Series

Q:  Hello I have a copy of Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson and would like more information on its value. Could you help?

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

All the books in this series are reprints.
Since it is a reprint of a not very collectible title, in my opinion it has nominal value.

Famous Red and White Book Series

Q:  This book (Scarlet Letter) has been in our family for years. I would love any information about this.

A:  Your book is part of the "Famous Red and White Book Series". These books are all reprints and were published in 1893-1894.
The preface of your book states "second edition". In actuality, the book is a reprint of the second edition.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  I am looking for information on a soft leather bound of Courtship of Miles Standish printed by the Henry Altemus Co. in Philadelphia. There is no info besides the publisher.

Any information would be helpful.

A:  Your book is part of the "Poems We Love" Series.http://henryaltemus.com/series/series146.htm

It was published between 1912 and 1915.
Originally it came within a labeled box.
An example is shown here.

All of the books in this series are reprints.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I own an old edition of Black Beauty that indicates Henry Altemus manufactured it and I am trying to determine its value.

A:  A: Your book is part of the Sanspareil Series and was published in 1898. Henry Altemus Company - Sanspareil Series 162 (earlier numbering)
It is a reprint and originally came with a dust jacket.
Since it is one of a myriad of reprints of this title and does not have a unique or fancy pictorial cover, most likely only has nominal value.

Peep of the Day Series

Q:  Greetings! I looked through your website and couldn’t find a date for this book, "The Peep of Day". I checked for dates and addresses and checked the ads in the back, but I couldn’t find anything. I’m attaching a copy of the book cover as recommended. Thank you for your time!

A:  Your book is part of the Peep of the day Series http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series140.htm

This book is a reprint and was published between 1918 and 1928 without any changes.

It originally had a dust jacket. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently purchased a hardback book entitled "Of The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A'Kempis published by Altemus.  The cover is pictured below.  It has no publish date.  Can you help identify when it was published?

A:  A: Your book was published in 1903. It is part of the Vademecum Series.
It is a reprint that originally came within a labeled box.
In my opinion- nominal value.

See: https://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  I found this little 1899 copy of Walden.
It's very sweet!!
Can you tell me any more?

A:  Your book was published in 1901 as part of the Vademecum Series. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm

It is a reprint. In my opinion it only has nominal monetary value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi - have the book Sesame and Lilies by Ruskin and published by Altemus. There is no date in the book. Searching on the internet, have not been able to find another one with this cover. Would be interested in information on this book and the approximate value.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901.
See: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series (later numbering) Series 180

This edition of this title is a reprint and in my opinion has nominal monetary value.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Recently got this book, Water Babies. There's no print date or any identifying info and I can't find it online.
Any insight as to the age and value of it?
I'm sure it's not a 1st print or super valuable but always exciting to hear when a book was made. I'm assuming early 1900s as it was with a few more books from 1890-1940s and this book was printed from what I understand 1890-1920s and then re produced later.

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. The publication date is between 1900-1906.
For an exact date follow the chart here: Henry Altemus Company - Boys and Girls Classics (old) Series 58

Unfortunately it is not a very collectible title so it has little monetary value.