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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
14 Sep 2012 130

Marqueterie Series

Q:  Hello, Could you me anything about this book (Milton's Poems)- age/value? Thank you!

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Marqueterie Series.(../series/series130.htm) As you can see, the cover is of the Japanese inlaid veneer style.

This publisher's series was only printed during 1899. Thus, it is one of the more uncommon large Altemus reprint series.

Regardless, the books of this series four the most part have limited value.


07 Sep 2012 186

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I have recently recvd a book (Mother Goose Nursery Tales) in a box lot at an auction that I can find no information about, so I thought I would write you and see if you could help me at all. I have enclosed a couple pictures as well. There is no address in the back, besides Philadelphia, and the book is in rough condition, but absolutely beautiful.

Thanks, Brittany


A:  Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series. See ../series/series186.htm

It was published between 1917 and the early 1930's. You can date your book more exactly by looking at the dating instructions revealed here: ../wee_books/index.htm

Generally the endpapers and the back ads which list other books in tho series give all the information you will need.

Originally your book came with a matching dust jacket.


05 Sep 2012 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I have this Black Beauty book that I can't find any information on. It has a black cover, possibly leather, and it doesn't have a date printed in it at all. It does say Henry Altemus Company, which I read means it was printed in 1900 or later. I don't really know anything else about it. Thank you for taking time to help me out!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1902. It is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box.

For information about this series of books see ../series/series180.htm.

Most of the books of this series do not have significant value because the titles were reprinted so many times by so many publishers.


04 Sep 2012 69

Classics Series

Q:  I have this little book called "The Greatest Thing in the World" by Henry Drummond. Printed in Philadelphia by Henry Altemus Company. It doesn't have a date or anything else like that. I was just wondering when this book might have been published and what the value of it is. I am trying to send you a picture of it. It is dark green, 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" with gold writing on it. It is hard to see the writing on it, but that is what it is. It also has a picture of Henry Drummond in it.
I was just wondering if you could tell me something about it.
Thanks.


A:  Your book is part of the Classics Series. See ../series/series69.htm

It was published between 1907- ca.1909. It originally had a dust jacket.

Without the dust jacket it has only nominal value.


03 Sep 2012 179

Vademecum Series

Q:  Looking for any information on this book (The House of the Seven Gables). It was given to my son and he is very intrigued. Please email any information you can.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1896. Originally it came within a labeled box.

As with all of the books of this series, it is a reprint.

For more information see ../series/series179.htm


02 Sep 2012 141

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Good evening,
I hope you can tell me something about this book I found? It is a small hard bound book by Sir Walter Scott called Marmion: A tale of Flodden Field. It's a Henry Altemus, Manufacturer, Philadelphia publication.

I've attached a pic...let me know if you need more.


A:  Your book was published in 1895-1896 and is part of the Petit Trianon Series. It is a reprint. See ../series/series141.htm

During these years the left side of the cover had a stereotypical pattern while the right side had any one of a number of different decorative and/or floral designs.

It originally came in a labeled box.


01 Sep 2012 143

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I have a book (Line Upon Line) published by Altemus that I would like to sell. It was left in an apartment unit I've been cleaning by the previous tenant who just turned 101 years old. Can you help me find the value? I'm attaching photos, as well.

Thanks very much for any help you can provide.



A:  Your book was published in 1907 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. It originally came in a labeled box.

This format has been seen with four different paste-ons (appliqués). Each has a different flower pictured. The other cover formats and a boxed book are shown here for completeness.

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

31 Aug 2012 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, Can you tell me anything about this copy of Black Beauty?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1903. In 1903 the Vademecum books had the same cover template in a number of different colors. The appliqué (paste-on) is one of over 40 pictures that were used that year for the covers. Your cover is designated #43 on the site.

This book originally came with a labeled box. It is a reprint and has minimal value.

For more information see ../vademecum.htm and ../series/series180.htm.


30 Aug 2012 186

Wee Books for Wee Folks Series

Q:  I recently sent you one email regarding some Wee Books, my great aunt has come across yet more so I will include them in this email. I truly appreciate any assistance you can offer.

Thank you.

How Peter Rabbit Went To Sea, Looks like: Series 186 7a


A:  Before the Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series (../series/series189.htm) began in 1918, the first four Peter Rabbit books were part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series. (../series/series186.htm) The only way to be certain which series these early books belonged to is by the heading at the top of the title page which says either Wee Books for Wee Folks Series or the Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series. Your book has the earlier series name.

Between 1917 and 1921 the lettering on this book was yellow as opposed to the later black/grey script.

These early Peter Rabbits are less common than the ones with the darker lettering. An example of the later book is shown for interest.


29 Aug 2012

Non Series 128

Q:  I came across this book, She Who Will not When She May by Eleanor G. Walton 1898, at a flea market and it was so pretty, appeared to be old and was in such good condition that I decided to buy it. Based on what I've read on your site, I believe it to be a first edition. Are you able to confirm and can you tell me what it's worth? Would appreciate any other info you can provide as well. Thanks!

A:  Three editions of this book have been seen (Not including the ooze calf binding variant). The first edition is the only one that has the Henry Altemus not the Henry Altemus Company imprint.

For other methods to distinguish the various editions see ../images/NS_128.htm


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