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:  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.

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.

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.

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

Vademecum Series

Q:  Does this book have any real value? It appears as though there were a lot published. This one is published 1897 with an inscription to S.L.O from Stevenson. Its not hand inscribed. Its printed. Thanks.

Boys and Girls Classics (old)

Q:  Greetings, I would like to request some information about the following book: I thank you in advance for your time.

The title is VIC & the full title inside the cover reads THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A FOX TERRIER written by Marie More Marsh. The Copyright states "1892 by Francis J. Shulte".

The publisher is Henry Altemus - Philadelphia

The spine itself is in very good condition. A little shelf wear is all.

There are two blank pages at the start of the book. The book has 184 numbered pages. Following those numbered pages, there are sixteen pages dedicated to “Publications Of Henry Altemus Company”. There are five blank pages at the end of the book.

The book was originally done with gold cover, gilt letters, and color drawing on front of the hardcover. As you can see in the photos I am including, a large portion of those qualities still exist.

I have actually read the book and found it quite interesting! The story is told from the view of the terrier. He actually "talks" in first person to the readers.

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. See ../series/series58.htm

It was published in 1899 and originally came in a labeled box. The 1899 editions of this series are quite uncommon. They are distinguished from the 1900 and later editions by their title page imprint. The earlier 1899 books have the Henry Altemus not the Henry Altemus Company imprint.

The books with the gold gilt design may be more attractive than those without but no more valuable or scarce. The comparison book without the gold gilt pattern is shown here.

Altemus Bibles

Q:  This is the altemus bible i own, which one is it? if you happen to know, its picture b10 in ur bible listings.

A:  Currently I have documented 59 different Altemus Bible covers. Altemus published Bibles between the early 1870's and the turn of the century.

The Bible shown here has been labeled B10. There were 12 different Bible editions. B10 Bible covers have been seen with the New Popular Edition and the Cheap Pictorial Edition. The features and contents within the Bible are what distinguishes the different editions.

The New Popular Edition and the Cheap Pictorial Editions do not have:

Bible History and Analysis
Cyclopedia of the Bible
Dictionary of Names
Notes and commentary by Rev. Walter McGilvray

Other Altemus Bibles do have these features. To learn more about Altemus Bibles see See ../bibles/bibles.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I was hoping that you could tell me a little more about this version of Black Beauty that I ran across while I was looking through my Grandpa's book collection. Any info helps...thank you for your time.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. See ../series/series180.htm. It originally came in a labeled box.

The 1900 Vademecum Series books were all published with the same cover which came in various colors. I have seen six variant colors at this time but suspect that there are more.

Dainty Series

Q:  Hi. I saw your answer to someone's question about the value of 'Charles Dickens' Children Stories'. I attached a photo of the book that I just found. Would you be able to give me information??

A:  Your book is part of the Dainty Series. See ../series/series74.htm

This series has a number of formats all of which came in dust jackets. It was published between 1899-1909 and the books are quite commonly found.

Your book is from Format 3 and was published between 1903-1905.

Because it is an easy book to find, your book has little value-especially in rather poor shape.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I recently purchased a copy of Manon Lescaut by your publishing house. It has no date in it. I wonder if you could look at a few photos attached and let me know what date you think it was published and any other info you may have such as monetary value.

A:  This book was published in 1899-1900 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. See ../series/series143.htm

It is a reprint originally came in a labeled box. The left side of the cover has a stereotypical decorative vine design. The right side has various floral or other artistic patterns.

As of this time I have seen 27 different right half covers. A typical box is shown on the series page.

The books of this series only have value if the title is collectible. Your title is not and thus the book has only nominal value.