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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.

We recommend that those inquiring about the identification of a particular book format send pictures along with their question.

 

Click thumbnail images to enlarge.

 

Questions & Answers
Date Series Num Information
09 Jul 2014 180

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.


08 Jul 2014 58

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.


07 Jul 2014 180

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.


06 Jul 2014 143

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.


05 Jul 2014 57

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.


24 Jun 2014 143

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.


23 Jun 2014 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of Black Beauty from your publishing company. I am curious as to its age and value. I believe it may have belonged to my father who was born in 1921 or maybe it was handed down to him by a parent. It is in good condition and doesn't smell. One of the pictures has come apart from the binding, but it is not lost. Thank you for any information you can give me.

A:  Your book was published in 1903 as part of the Vademecum Series. It originally came in a labeled box. It is a reprint.

Although this is a popular title, there are countless numbers of these reprints floating around. So your book has only nominal value.

During this year, the books in this series have been seen with a number of different cover colors. More than 40 different cover appliqués have been noted. Generally the painting on the cover is only part of a larger picture. Various sections of a painting appeared on the book covers.

See this page for more information: ../vademecum.htm


22 Jun 2014 179

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have the book, Emerson's Essay's. The cover reads Emerson's Essays the spine adds First Series and the title page reads Essays By Ralph Waldo Emerson First Series Philadelphia Henry Altemus 1894.

I can't find any info on the web, can you tell me what it is worth and any other info about it?


A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1894 and is a reprint.

During this year the cover has been seen in various colors.

In great condition this book is hard to sell. In poor condition, it has no collector value.


19 Jun 2014 75

Devotional Series

Q:  I am interested in knowing more about one of my mom's books (The Prince of the House of David). I cannot find a publishing date. There is no dust cover, nor are there any other books with it.

I have seen info on your site about similar books in the Beauxarts Series (Series 47), but I have not seen a cover like the one I have.
Any info would be greatly appreciated - especially the date it was published - if possible. Thank you for your time and how much you help people.


A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series.

This format was published between 1898 and 1924. The cover has been seen in several colors. It originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

The date of publication can be approximated by analyzing the ads in the back of the book.


18 Jun 2014 69

Classics Series

Q:  Just want to get an estimated price for this book of Edgar Allen Poe’s Poems. The book is really in quite good condition, about the only thing I can tell is the spine is a little loose near the top. None of the pages seem to be loose.

A:  This book is part of the Classics (or Slip in the Pocket Classics Series) This format was published between 1907 and the early teens. It originally came with a dust jacket. An examples is shown here.

All the Altemus Poe books are reprints. There is quite a market however for these reprints despite the fact that they are relatively common. Estimating a value is tough. I have seen this book sell for a couple of dollars as well as $25 plus.


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