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.

Young People's Library

Q:  I picked up this book from a second hand store about ten years ago and am wondering if you can give me some information about it. It is a Grimm's Fairy Tales from 1898 part of the Young People's Library. The spine was damaged when I bought it but I'm interested in having it repaired. I'm hoping to pass this onto my son when he's old enough to appreciate and take care of it.

Any information you can give me would be great. I paid $2.00 for it which to me is a bargain for such works.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library. Based on the cover, it is a format 3 book published between 1902-1923. It originally came with a dust jacket. Except for a few titles the books of this series have little value and it probably is not worth getting the binding repaired. For more information see ../series/series202F3.htm.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Here is a photo i copied from someone else (mine is in better condition, but i am without a camera at the moment). It is a green cover with gold and red on the front. My book has no date, no title, no nothing. It simply says "Poems" and at the bottom says e.a. poe. I know it is from 1897, but that is all i know. Is there a way to get a price for this book? thank you very much!

A:  Your 1897 book is from the Vademecum Series (../series/series179.htm). This series of reprints was published with different covers every year. This is the 1897 cover. It was published in a number of colors. It originally came in a labeled slip case box. This series' books generally have little value.

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  Could you please tell me the value of this book (Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary)?

A:  This book is part of the eight volume Bo-Peep Series. The books of this series are large (8.5 x 6.75) and came with dust jackets. (Shown with the book). All eight books were published in 1905. Generally without a dust jacket they do not sell for more than a few dollars each.

Ever New Books for Young People

Q:  I am attaching a picture of a book (Swiss Family Robinson) and I am trying to determine the publish date. Also if there is any info on the value. Thanks in advance.

A:  Your book is part of the Ever New Books for Young People Series. See ../series/series82.htm This 16 book series was published in 1915 and originally came with a dust jacket. Although this series' books look like books from the Young People's Library, they are slightly larger and have the little horizontal squiggle at the bottom of the cover.

These books are hard to find but scarcity has not helped their value. Without a dust jacket they seldom sell for more than $10-15.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Looking for info on this book. Thanks.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. See ../series/series180.htm. It was published in 1899. During that year the cover came in a number of different colors. The book was originally published with a labeled slipcase box.

The book is a reprint and only Treasure Island collectors would pay more than a couple of dollars for it.

I have enclosed several other color covers for your interest.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Thank you for getting back to me so quickly! : ) Attached is a scan of the cover of my book (House of the Seven Gables). Thank you again.

A:  Your book is a 1901-1902 publication. It is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This is a publisher's series of books all of which are reprints. During this year, the books of this series were seen with any one of 16 different flowers on the right half of the cover.

See ../series/series143.htm

Because it is a reprint and not in the best shape, it only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello - I found this book today at the Salvation Army. Can you tell me what year it was published? It's titled: The Aristocrat of the Breakfast Table by Oliver Wendell Holmes. Thanks a Million.

A:  Your book is part of the Vacedemecum Series and was published in 1897. See ../series/series179.htm. It originally came in a labeled box.

This is a publisher's series of reprints. Every year the same group of titles were published with different cover designs. Because it is a reprint and not a very collectible title, it only has nominal value.

Young People's Library

Q:  Would you be so kind as to confirm that this version of Lewis Carroll's "Through The Looking Glass" is part of the Young Peoples Library Series #202, Volume 31, printed 1923-1933, Format 4, #3 Variant and, if it is what a fair market value would be? Thank you for your assistance.

A:  Yes, this book is a Format 4 Young People's Library book. This format is different from the earlier Young People's Library formats in several ways. First it has the paste-on (appliqué) picture on the front cover. Next is the characteristic spine design. I am including typical spines for your information.

Originally these books came with dust jackets which for the most part matched the underlying book cover.

Dating these books more precisely between the 1923 and 1933 publication times can be difficult because of the random nature of ad placements in the back of the book.

For more on this series see ../series/series202F4.htm.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I stumbled on your great website while trying to research a book I have: "Tales From Shakspeare" Charles and Mary Lamb Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia. I can't find any date other than the preface and after reading your comments I don't want to assume the 1878 is the correct printing date. Photo is attached. Book is small (4-1/4 x 6-1/4)
Any information would be most appreciated.
Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1907 and is part of the Vademecum Series. See ../series/series180.htm.

It originally came in a labeled slipcase box. All the books in this series are reprints.

You are correct to question the 1878 date. Frequently Altemus reprinted older editions of titles in their entirety. So earlier prefaces and copyrights are included in the later Altemus editions.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Good afternoon,
I have a book that was published by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia. It is Poems, Volume I by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It appears to have been a gift given to somebody dated December 25, 1898.
Would you be able to provide any information on this book?
I didn't take a pic but I attached the cover from the website for identification purposes.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898. It originally came within a slipcase labeled box. The books of 1898 all had the same cover decoration but have been seen with various colors.

As with all of the titles in this series, it is a reprint. Because this title is not a particularly collectible one, the book only has nominal value.

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