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.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I've acquired a small book of Endymion, and Other Poems and am lookng for information on it. I've attached a file with a few identifying pictures. There is what looks to be a hand drawn print of John Keats and underneath it is printed "Copyright 1899, by Henry Altemus" In reading your website on how to identify pre or post 1900, I didn't see an explanaition for what I have...

John Keats
ENDYMION And Other Poems
ALL OF THIS IS PRINTED IN RED WITH GREEN SCROLLWORK AROUND AND THROUGH IT.

Philadelphia
Henry Altemus

There are two title pages, the one pictured in the attachment and the one described above.

I'm hoping you can tell me a little more about this small treasure of beautiful poems. Any and all information you can provide is greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. It was published in 1901-1902.

In these years the books of this series, all of which are reprints, had the picture of the lady on the left of the cover and any one of sixteen different flower pictures on the right half of the cover. Your book has the lilacs.

This book originally came within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I've inherited a box of old books, including the attached copy of Emerson's Essays. I have been unable to find a similar cover on any of the rare/used book sites on the internet. I'm hoping you can help me to identify and date it. The gold artwork is embossed.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

A:  Your book was published in 1902 as part of the Vademecum Series.

It originally came in a labeled box. This title is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have come across a small book published by your company and would like to know more about it. The book is the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. It measures approximately 4 1/4" x 6 1/4". It is bound in a cream colored leather on the back and spine and a faded burgundy leather on the right half of the cover with an embossed iris in the leather and on the left side of the cover the title and an iris in cream colored leather. There is no date inside. I am curious as to the publication date and its worth.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1905-1906. It originally came within a labeled box. See ../series/series143.htm.

In this condition it has no value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  i just found this little gem in my attic... im not sure if it was my family as I dont know w madge as the book was given to new, Christmas 1896 when it was published.

I looked at your site and did not see this cover displayed, so was wondering if you might have any info. Unfortunately the book is musty, its been in my attic since 1962 when my grandfather bought the house, its in a part of the attic that might have been left from previous owners.

I took some pics, they are in the zip file, if you need them resent, please advise. I look forward to any info you might be able to tell me.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1896/1897. All the books of this series have the same decoration on the left half of the cover but various floral/decorative designs on the right side. See ../series/series141.htm for more details.

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

Poems We Love Series

Q:  We have a very old small book (The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam) appearing to be published by your firm. A search found some information about the title as part of the Petit Trianon Series 143. But the cover does not match any of those in that series website. Here and in 2 following emails are photos of cover and title page and opposite page art. The cover feels like a soft suede.

Can you help with a year of publication please? (I did find a Q & A about possible value of the Petite version and it was indicated that the value was nominal.)

A:  Your book is part of the Poems We Love Series. See ../series/series146.htm

It was published between 1913 and 1915 and originally came in a labeled box.

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  Hello, I purchased a small hardcover book at an Estate Sale here in Sun City Center, Fl and it is a small hard cover book entitled WHERE ARE YOU GOING MY PRETTY MAID? It is a series of short stories copyright date 1905 by HENRY ALTEMUS. Can you please give me the history on this book?

A:  This book was published in 1905 and is part of the eight volume Bo-Peep Series. I am including a picture of the rather plain uncoated brown paper dust jacket that this book came with.

For more information see ../series/series55.htm.

Vademecum Series

Q:  From you website this book was published in 1896. Its in great condition, how much do you think its worth. It's Scarlet Letter Second Edition and it does have the preface.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. See ../series/series179.htm

Altemus published this title in numerous formats. When it did, it reprinted the entire book including the early dated preface. Thus, almost every edition of this title that Altemus reprinted has the “second edition” preface from the original 1850?s book. It is actually not the second edition but rather it is a reprint of the second edition. It only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I haven't been able to find any information about this book (Evangeline and Other Poems) on your website. Can you tell me when it was published? Thanks!

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1908-1909. All of the titles in this series are reprints. The books originally came within a labeled box. See: ../series/series143.htm

Slip in the Pocket Classics Series

Q:  I'm having a hard time locating information on this book (Othello). I was thinking about putting it on ebay, but I'm not sure what to price it since I can't find any details on it. Any help you can give would be welcomed. Thanks!

A:  Your book is part of either the Slip-in-the-Pocket Classics Series or its direct 1908 predecessor- Classics Series. For the Classics Series see ../series/series69.htm See ../series/series166.htm for the Slip in the Pocket Series.

This book originally came with a dust jacket. Shown is a representative jacket. When this book sells, it is generally only for a few dollars.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I have two books that I would like to know what they are worth and what they are. I have sent pictures of both their covers and first page. The Pathway of Promise has a copyright of 1896 and says it is by the same author of The Throne of Grace. The Imitation of Christ says it is by Thomas A’Kempis, but does not list a copyright. I would really appreciate whatever you could tell me. Thank You

A:  The Altemus book is part of the Sanspareil Series and was published in 1898. It originally came with a dust jacket. This is a typical publisher's series. All of the its titles are reprints. ../series/series162.htm

I am including here a picture of a representative dust jacket. This book only has nominal value.