Questions & Answers |
Date |
Series Num |
Information |
30 Sep 2014 |
50 |
Belles-Lettres Series
Q: Hello, We found several books in a box that have been passed down in my family. Among them, is "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" published by Henry Altemus. The publication date is 1896, though I know publication dates are not always accurate. Can you tell me a little more about this book/particular edition? I want to keep it in the family, but we are curious about it.
A: Your book is part of the 31 volume Belles-Lettres Series. All of the books in this series are reprints.
The books were published in the 1896-1897 era. I have seen six cover formats so far. The other five are shown here.
It is a reprint and unfortunately only has value of the sentimental type.
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29 Sep 2014 |
79 |
Esperance Series
Q: We have an old boxed copy of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with a nice fine leather cover and we are wondering if it is worth anything. Can you help. A picture is attached.
A: Your book is part of the Esperance Series. It was published between 1905 and 1909. All of the twenty books in this series were reprints.
Having the original box is quite nice but the demand for this title in this format is quite limited. Getting more than $25 will be a challenge.
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12 Sep 2014 |
58 |
Boys and Girls Classics
Q: Hello. I recently purchased the attached book Black Beauty and cannot find the copyright or possible value. Can you assist? Thank you.
A: Your book was published between 1899-1906 as part of the Boy and Girls Classics' Series. It can be more accurately dated by following the information at ../series/series58.htm
It is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box.
In this condition it may be worth a couple of dollars.
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10 Sep 2014 |
48 |
Beauxarts Series
Q: Hello! I have a copy of "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll, and I have looked through your website trying to find out what edition it is and how much it is worth, but I can not find it. It says "Philadelphia Henry Altemus Company" on the front page. And there is an inscription that says "To Bessie from Mother Dec 25, 1903". If you could help me that would be wonderful!
A: Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1902.
It originally came within a labeled box. A representative box is shown here.
There is no fixed value for this book. $10-20 would be reasonable.
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08 Sep 2014 |
141 |
Petit Trianon Series
Q: I found this book (Lucile) in a box of books given to my children. I would like to know more about it like when it was actually published and how old the book really is and maybe if there is a value to it. If you could help me out with this I would greatly appreciate it. In one of the pictures I attached has a date of 1842 Philadelphia Henry Altemus and that is the only date in the book. I have googled this book in a variety of different ways and cannot seem to find one like it. In this book there is no series number or copyright page nothing.
A: This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1896.
All of the titles in this series are reprints.
The 1842 date which is within the decorative pattern indicates the year the company was founded.
It has nominal value only.
|
06 Sep 2014 |
180 |
Vademecum Series
Q: I am not able to find this addition on your site (Longfellow's Poems). How much does Vol.2 sell for? I would like to complete the set. Thank you.
A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1907.
The appliqué picture is #9 on this page: ../vademecum.htm
You can find the series list here: ../series/series180.htm
This edition can be seen in the 1907 books in the picture section.
You may have difficulty finding the exact title in this format. If you find it, it should not cost more than $10.
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04 Sep 2014 |
180 |
Vademecum Series
Q: Hello. I’m 13 years old. When working at an estate sale this summer, I bought a book. This book was titled “Bryant’s Poems” The cover of this book looks like the 1909 book “crown of wild olive” with a different paste-on picture. When I brought the book home, I saw that on the inside cover, there were two names, one in pencil and one in pen. The first one was in pencil, and it read “Mary E. Beck. 1892” the other read “A. Marie (something in tight cursive that I couldn’t read), 1965. I researched this book on the Henry Altemus Company webpage because it read “Philadelphia, Henry Altemus Publishing Company” on the second page, but found that they didn’t have any information on any of William Cullen Bryant’s books from 1892 that I could find. The inside cover or any pages after offer any help in identifying anything about this book. If you have any information on this series and could tell me when it was written and possibly how much it’s worth, (though I have no intention of selling it.) I would be very grateful. Thank you for your help!
A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909-1912. It originally came in a labeled red box.
The 1892 date does not signify when the book was published but has some other meaning. Perhaps someone's birthday.
Your book was quite popular in these years and was reprinted by many companies, including Altemus.
Because it is not a widely collectible title and because it is not in great shape, it has nominal value only.
For more information see ../series/series180.htm
A picture of a red box is shown here.
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02 Sep 2014 |
180 |
Vademecum Series
Q: Hi, I have a Cricket on the Hearth book by Charles Dickens. I was wondering if you would be able to tell me more about this book. I know it’s the 1899 edition from Henry Altemus Company. But I’m wondering how I could find out how rare it is or how much it might be worth. I’ve been trying to do some research and can’t seem to find a book with the same exact cover as this one anywhere online. Any help would be very much appreciated!
A: Your book was published in 1902 as part of the Vademecum Series.
The appliqué is listed as #35 on this page: ../vademecum.htm. More than 40 paste-ons have been seen with this book cover. It originally was sold within a labeled box.
Although a nice book, it has limited value since it is a reprint and is not widely collected.
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31 Aug 2014 |
141 |
Petit Trianon Series
Q: How old is this book please?
A: This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895/1896. All of the titles in this series are reprints.
During these years the decorative pattern on the left side of the cover was unchanged. The right half of the cover has been seen with numerous designs.
Twelve different ones are noted on the webpage. This book originally came within a labeled box.
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26 Aug 2014 |
179 |
Vademecum Series
Q: This book (A Sentimental Journey) has an inscription dated 1921 and was bought at Herz’s Bazaar, Terre Haute, Ind. It has no dust jacket and measures 6 x 4. I can’t find a similar description on your website. Thanks.
A: This book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896.
It is pictured on the website with the 1896 books.
It is one of the scarcer formats of this long running series. Most of the 1896 books have this color (or a slightly greener version). It is a reprint as are all of the titles in the Vademecum Series.
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