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.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hello, I have a copy of of Hawthorne's A Wonder Book from my grandparents, and I'm not sure what to do with it.

I have not been able to take a good photo of it but will try to describe it: Blue cover, title in gold in top third, lower 2/3s divided vertically in three unequal panels, center panel has a figure in profile in what could be Greek dress with sandals, author's name along bottom. Cover and panels outlined in what may have been gilded lines. Cover intact, a few loose pages.

So far none of my friends with children that age have been interested, and it's not the sort of book I want to keep in my collection.
It's been an interesting hunt to learn about this book. Thanks for your website!

A:  This book is part of the 58 book Boys and Girls Classics.

This series has a centrally located paste-on picture which is different for each book and book appropriate. There are two cover formats. One which has the gold leaf decorative pattern within the vertical sections and one that does not have these decorations.

These books are all reprints and have little value except for those books with collectible titles.

The books can be dated using the ads in the back.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  Hi there, I have one book and I don't know much about it, but it is old and I cannot find the year edition. It has a dedicated to Billie in the first page and dated 1921. I send you some pictures, hope you can help me. The Story of Little Black Sambo

A:  You have an excellent book. It is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series.

This is the first Altemus edition of this title. Between 1917 and 1921 the titles of this series had either red or yellow lettering. Subsequently the lettering was black/grey or green.

This title is very collectible and this early edition is a very special book.

All of the books in this series had dust jackets. The jacket for this title is shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Found a copy of paradise lost. how much is it worth?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published between 1909-1912. It originally came within a red labeled box. (See representative picture below.) In this year's format numerous cover pictures have been seen.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello - I came across this among the many books (some going back to the 1600s) in my father in laws house. Thought you could advise on if this was of value. Print date says 1895, front cover sheet is inscribed as a Xmas gift in 1899. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1898 and originally came within a labeled box. The 1898 books were seen with various cover colors.

All of the books in this series are reprints and thus unless the title is a special one and widely collected, the book has little value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I picked this up today and hoped to find out more about it. I have to tell you how much I enjoyed all of the hard work you've put into this site! I love books and I look forward to reading this one.

It is Idylls of the King by Tennyson. I paid $1 for it! It may be worth twice that! Thank you for your information. I've bookmarked your site.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1905-1906. It originally was sold within a labeled box.

The paste on (appliqué) on the front cover had the picture of one of four flowers. (yellow-daffodil, red-carnation, pink-rose, purple-iris)

All of the books in this series are reprints and have limited value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Would you please tell me the age and value of my copy of Treasure Island, Henry Altemus. Photos attached.

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1898. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

The 1898 covers have been seen in a number of different colors.

Unless you find a Treasure Island title collector, this book will only sell for a few dollars.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I have an old edition of The Prince of the House of David published by Altemus Publishing. There is no date page in the book. Could you please tell me a little about this edition? It was in my mother's library and she has now passed. She noted with it that it is missing pages 41 and 42 which is odd. I am very curious when it was printed.

I’m assuming it is not a first edition or anything rare like that, but I would like to know if it is something I should keep or pass on to a book lover. It is a neat compact book. It is slightly curved in at the edges making me think someone carried this tucked in their pocket for awhile possibly.

Thank you for any info you may have on it. I searched through the site and some on the internet and I didn’t see this particular edition come up anywhere.

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1897. During this year the cover was printed with many different colors. As you guessed, it is not a first edition but rather a late reprint and thus really has no significant value.

Popular Series of Famous Authors

Q:  Hello, I am inquiring about a copy of "The Scarlet Letter" that has been in my family for several generations. The condition of the book is very poor but it's something I would like to know more about. I have attached pictures of the cover, title page, and the two ad pages in the back. Please do not hesitate if there are other images you may need to determine more. Thank you very much for your time.

A:  Your book was published in 1893 as part of the Popular Series of Famous Authors. This book was originally printed with a dust jacket. The cover usually has outlines and lettering in gold gilt, most of which is gone from your book. This title is a reprint and in this shape has little value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Having a difficult time identifying this book (Christmas Carol), can you help?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in the 1917-1919 time frame. This publisher's series published only reprints, none of which have any significant value. It originally had a dust jacket.

La Belle Fleur Series

Q:  hi i just bought this (Black Beauty) at a used book store and was wondering if you good give me more information about it... it doesn't mention the year but i looked up the publisher so i know the years they were in business..thank you

A:  Your book is part of the La Belle Fleur Series and was published in 1901.

It originally came in a dust jacket. The books of this series are all reprints. They came in a number of different color covers. Examples are shown here.

It has nominal value only.