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.

Library of Standard Authors

Q:  Would like some information on this book Tales from Shakespeare. What can you tell me? Thanks.

A:  Your book was published in 1897-1898 as part of the ten volume Library of Standard Authors' Series. During those years the book covers were published in various colors.

All the books, including yours, are reprints. Value is determined by the collectibility of the title and condition. Your title is not widely sought after.

Boys' and Girls' Classics Series

Q:  Dear Expert,

I have a copy of the book Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb. It is hard cover 368 pages without illustrations. The only date I can find is on the back of the introduction page. " October 1878 initialed A.A". Please send me what information on the date of publication and what edition it may be and any additional interesting facts you may have. Thank you so very much for your time and knowledge.

A:  Your book was published between 1899 and 1906. It is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. It is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box. It has only nominal value.

To date your book exactly follow the directions on the series' web page.

Printemps Series

Q:  A book in my collection... I'm wondering of its value and rarity. I can't locate a quote on its value. (A Study in Scarlet)

A:  Your book is part of the 25 volume Printemps Series. It was published in 1895.
All of the books in this series are reprints. Most sell for between $10 and $20.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi attached are three photo's of a set of two books that I have. I tried to find them on your website but was unsuccessful. Can you help? They appear to be green leather with possible gold leaf or gilting in the design. There is no publish date inside the books. Sorry about the quality, it was a phone.

A:  The book cover you sent is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1905-1906. It originally came in a labeled box.

As you can see from the site, this year's books were published with a number of different cover colors and with one of four flower pictures.

All of the books in this series are reprints and few have more than nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Found this book at a thrift store, I can’t find any date. Do you have any information about it? Mulvaney Stories

A:  Your book was published between 1909 and 1912. It originally came within a labeled box. It is part of the Vademecum Series.

This book is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Please inform me re: date of publishing and any other interesting particulars. Thank you. The Courtship of Miles Standish

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1915. Originally this book came within a labeled box. It is a reprint as are all of the books in this series. It has only nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Attached is a photo of one of the 2 books of Emerson’s Essays that I own. I searched around on your website a little and couldn’t find any other volumes in this style. Can you tell me an approximate age and value and any advice on where to offer these for sale. I’m not sure just listing on Ebay is the best.

These volumes were passed down in our family and are truly beautiful.

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1897. It originally came in a labeled box.

Regardless of where you try to sell it, this book only has nominal value.

Platt and Munk Altemus reprint

Q:  I can't find any info on this little green book can u help me. Thanks. Little Black Sambo and the Tiger Kitten

A:  Your book is a late reprint of an original publication of the Henry Altemus Company. It originally came with a dust jacket. Publication date was the late 1930's.

For more see: Platt and Munk

Marqueterie Series

Q:  Hi could you give me any info on this book (Weird Tales). Copyright 1895 by Henry Altemus Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Marqueterie Series.

It is a reprint and has minimal value.

Of note is that occasionally a Poe collector will pay a bit more for Poe reprints. Finding that buyer can be difficult however.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hi, I am looking for a value for this book. It was passed down by my grandmother but I don’t know anything about it except what I learned on your page:

Beauxarts Series (earlier numbering)
Publish: 1897-1898
Series:47
Volume 109 (Song of Hiawatha)
Format 2

A:  Books from the various Altemus publisher's series are reprints and unless they are titles of special interest to collectors, have no significant value. Frequently sellers confuse age/scarcity with value.
These books are quite common and generally are very hard to sell.

For information about this series see Beauxarts Series.