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:  This book has 1896 inscribed inside to Bradley from Aunt Mary. I am hoping to find out more about this book, when it was published etc. It is a copy of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

Appreciate any help you can provide in gaining more information about this book.

A:  Your book is part of the long running (1894-1926) Vademecum Series. This publisher's series of reprints generally had a different cover during each year of publication (up until the 1908 and later era).

Your book was published in 1896 and originally was sold within a labeled box. Several cover colors have been seen.

Meadow-Brook Girls Series

Q:  Can you tell me what edition and possible value? The Meadow-Brook Girls by the Sea

A:  The titles in this six book series were first published in 1913 and 1914. The first two formats have the same cover as your book. They are distinguished by the dust jackets. See: Meadow-Brook Girls Series

The third format has a full cover appliqué. The third format was published beginning in 1924. The first two were printed between 1913-1924.

Without a dust jacket, the books of this series have little value. In poor shape, they are hard to sell at any price.

The various jacket formats are shown on the series page.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Dear Expert, I found Black Beauty at a garage sale and its always been one of my favorites. But this one has no copyright date. I know it's a reprint by Henry Altemus Co. Philadelphia and I believe it's from the Vademecum series but my eyes are starting to cross from so much info. The front cover has a tear but the picture looks like grass or wheat. I sure could use your help in drawing. Thank you.

A:  You are right about your book. It is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901.

Here is the entire picture. For more info: ../vademecum.htm

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello!
Re: Uncle Tom's Cabin - Henry Altemus Company
We are trying to find out information about a book. We have attached pictures of the book. We would like to know the year the book was printed and the current value.
Please let us know if you need further information.
Thank you!

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series.

It was published in 1901-1902. During this year, the left half of the front cover had the stereotyped decorative pattern in either blue, pink or beige. The right half of the cover pictured one of sixteen different flowers.

It is one of a myriad of reprints of this title. Unless someone loves the cover, it has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. I have attached several pics of John Milton's 'Paradise Regained/Samson Agonistes.' Was this edition copyrighted in 1899 by Henry Altemus as shown on one of the pages or later? Also how many copies of this combined book were put into circulation? And last what is the value? Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. A number of different color covers were published. (See series page.)

I do not know how many of these were published but this title is very common.

In perfect shape this Altemus format is a tough sell. In average or poor shape it has little or no value.

Boys and Girls Classics Series

Q:  Just curious if this book is a collector and its value. Thank you for any information you can give me. Jessica's First Prayer

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

This series included 40 titles all of which are reprints. It was published between 1899 and 1906.

Two formats have been noted. One with the gold gilt decoration on the cover (your book) and one without. It is shown here.

On the website there is a flowchart which can help you to exactly date your book. Except for a few desirable titles, most of these books have little value. Your book is in poor shape so it would be a hard sell.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a book, "Treasure Island" that I was hoping you could tell me about; worth, dated printed, etc. There is no page with this information on it. I have attached a photo of the book.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900.

The covers in this year were published in a number of colors. See series page.

It originally came within a labeled box. All the books in this series, including yours, are reprints. In average condition it will be hard to sell for more than a couple of dollars.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  When was this book published (Little Lame Prince)?

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1907.

These books originally came within a labeled box. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hello! I am attaching a few photos of a copy of Grimms Fairy Tales that I recently came across in an old book store here locally. Title page says Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia and on the back side of that it says Copyright 1898 by Henry Altemus (below). There is no dust jacket. Front cover, as you can see from the photo, has two kids in a wagon. They are being pulled by a donkey, but all you can see from the pic is the donkey's butt lol! They look very 20's or 30's style animation, so I guess it is a later printing, esp since on your site it said if the title page said Henry Altemus Company on it, the book prob dates after 1900. I could not however, find a book that looked the same as this one on your site anywhere. Was trying to find out what series/printing it was. I took a photo of the front cover (again, no dust jacket), title page, and copyright page. Hopefully that will help. Can you give me any more info about it? Not at all concerned with value, as it has no dust jacket and is not in great shape...I just think old books are interesting :)

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

The books of this 15 title series all have the same text as the earlier published titles in the Young People's Library. They were published between 1908 and 1926. The date can be determined by studying the book ads in the back.

These books have pictorial linen covers that are made from large swatches. The books originally were sold within labeled floral covered boxes. See the representative picture here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I'm wondering if you can tell me anything about this book (Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam) the picture is of the cover and the publisher page thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1907. It originally came within a labeled box. All of the 117 titles in this series are reprints. During this year the acorn picture cover had four different flower appliqués. The other flowers in addition to a representative box are shown on the series page.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.