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:  A friend has a what seems to be a Late 1895 Edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. We are interested in the current value. Can you help her or suggest who can? Please see the attach photos.

A:  Your book is part of the first format of the Young People's Library. It was clearly published in 1895 as is noted at the base of the title page. The earlier 1895 books have a different list of books in the front advertisements. It list six books not eight as in the later 1895 ad (shown here).

There is no price guide and "experts on price" are suspect. I have seen this book sell for as much as $125 and for as little as $10 (in similar conditions). No rhyme or reason.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi! My grandmother just gave me this book (Black Beauty by Anna Sewell) and I was wondering if you could tell me when this book was published. It has an inscription inside that says 1903 so I know it is at least that old. I'm sorry I don't know what the dust jacket looked like, my grandmother didn't have it. Thank you so much!!

A:  It is part of the Vademecum Series.

It was published in 1898 and came within a labeled box. All of the books in this series are reprints. In 1898 there were numerous color covers with the same underlying format. See here for some examples.

Young People's Library Format 4

Q:  Please place a value on my book (The Pilgrim's Progress). I have looked everywhere and can't seem to find pictures of the cover. There is no publishing date printed in the book? Images included. Thank you so very much!

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 4 and was published between 1923 and 1933. A closer publication date could be determined by studying the ads in the back of the book. Two covers of this title have been seen in this format. The other cover is also shown here.

More information as well as pictures can be found here: Young People's Library, Format 4

This book originally came with a dust jacket.

It may sell for a few dollars.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hi, I recently purchased this book from a little book store. I collect Alice in Wonderland books. Could you tell me a bit more about it and what its approximate worth is? Through the Looking Glass

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. This 15 book series was published between 1908 and 1926 and originally came within a labeled box. The boxes have a colorful floral design. The text is the same as the previously published books from the Young People's Library.

A complete review of all of the Altemus Alice's can be found here: http://www.henryaltemus.com/alice/alice.htm

If you are not already a member, you might want to check out the Lewis Carroll Society of North America. They publish a newsletter which is very informative. http://www.lewiscarroll.org/publications/knightletter/

Generally, a close approximation to the date of publication can be determined by a review of the ads in the back of the book.

The Lewis Carroll books in this series generally sell for between $10-25.

World's Classics Series

Q:  I would appreciate it if you could provide info on our Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Attached are photos of the cover and cover pages.

A:  This book is part of the World's Classics Series. The ten book series of reprints was published between 1912 and 1916. All the limp velvet books originally came in a labeled box. The velvet has been seen in brown, green and red.

In this condition it has no monetary value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you tell me the history of this book? Thanks

A:  Your book is a part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. During this series publication history, every year there was a new cover. This one is the 1899 format.

In 1899 the left half of the cover remained constant while the right side had numerous different decorative patterns. I have seen 27 up to this point.

These books originally came in a labeled box. (An example is shown here.)

All of the books in this series are reprints. Thus, only special collectible titles have more than nominal value.

La Belle Fleur Series

Q:  I have THE SONG OF HIAWATHA book from my Grandfather. Could you please tell me any information you have so that I may pass it & the book on to my son. On the top right of the inside cover NO - 58 is written. Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1901. It is part of the 131 volume La Belle Fleur Series. It originally came with a dust jacket. (An example is shown here). As with all the the titles in this series, it is a reprint.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  Hello. Here is a lovely little book (Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam). I’d love to know more about it and any value it may have. Many of the pages are uncut. Gilt on cover and top of pages is in wonderful condition. Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia on the inside. More pics available from every angle if wanted. Thanks.

A:  Your book is part of the Poems We Love Series. This ten book series was published between 1912-1915. The books are bound in limp velvet calf and have been seen in green or brown. When originally sold it came in a labeled box. A picture of the box is here.

The titles are all reprints, not especially collectible and thus have only nominal value (despite the very fine condition of your book).

Non Series

Q:  Hello I am sending 3 pics of this book (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) I have acquired. I cannot locate another like it. Would you be so kind as to identify, date and any other info. Much appreciated

A:  This 1916 book came in two different formats. The earlier books have illustrated endpapers and a color picture opposite of the title page. The later books have plain endpapers and a tipped in picture opposite of the title page. It measures 11.25 x 8.5.

This is one of the scarcest Altemus Alice formats. Certainly it is many times rarer than the Alice's of the Young People's Library. In my opinion, it is also a much nicer book.

It came in a labeled box (which has not been seen).

Click here for more information and to see the endpapers.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I stumbled upon this copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin but unfortunately I've been unable to find any information on it. Can you give me any info you have on it, should I keep it, does it have any value, and if so where would I sell it. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and thanks for your time.

A:  This book was published in 1901 as part of the Vademecum Series. It originally came within a labeled box. It is one of a myriad of reprints of this title that were done by the reprint publishers of the era. It has little value.

This 1901 Altemus format has been seen with many color covers. More than forty paste-on (appliqués) pictures have been noted. See: ../vademecum.htm