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.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I just acquired a copy of "Precept Upon Precept" by Henry Altemus, Copyright, 1897. I would like to know more info on this print, if it's a first edition, the value, etc. It's in pretty good condition too.

A:  Hello. Your Book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1898.

See ../series/series47.htm.

As with all the the books of this series, it is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I've attached a picture of the front cover and the title page of Black Rock - A Tale of the Selkirks by Ralph Connor. Published by Henry Altemus Co. of Philadelphia. The intro was by Prof. George Adam Smith L.L.D. Page following intro says Black Rock and offers a short description of the story with the initials of C.W.G. at the end.

There doesn't seem to be a copyright mark to distinguish the publication. Is this a first publication? 1898? As you can see, the front cover is not in pristine condition. Value?

Thanks for any info you may provide.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1905-1906. See: ../series/series143.htm

The book of this series are all reprints (no first editions) and originally came in a labeled box. Generally unless the title is a special one, the books do not sell for more than a few dollars (at best).

Your book is also in rather tough shape so I suspect it will be a hard sell.

Non Series #121

Q:  I have had this copy of Robinson Crusoe in my possession for over 30 years. I am interested in selling the book, now that I am older. I have attached some pictures. The book is in ok condition. As you can see there was tape put on the cover. I just want a little history of the book and would also appreciate knowing its value, if any.

A:  There are three different Non-Series Robinson Crusoes that were published prior to 1900. All have Henry Altemus as their imprint.

In 1892 the first two were published. Your book was published between 1892 and 1896. This large book (9.5 x 7.5) has "extra fine English cloth with Emblematic designs". It had numerous black and white line drawn pictures (120) by Walter Paget. The earlier books of this format had gold gilt lettering on the cover whereas the later books had silver gilt lettering. Original cost was $3.00.

For more information see ../images/NS_121.htm.

Because of its condition, your book will be hard to sell at any price.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello. I'm doing research on this old Henry Altemus book, Black Beauty. Your website has been very informative. It looks like this is a format 1 cover, and pre-1900. I would greatly appreciate any help you can provide for more information and its value. Here are some pictures for your consideration.

A:  Your book was published in 1897. It is part of the Beauxarts Series.

See: ../series/series47.htm

It is a reprint of this very famous title which was first published in 1890 by the American Humane Society.

Although your book looks to be in great shape, the reprints of Black Beauty are so common that they rarely sell for more than a few dollars. Of course, you never know when someone just has to have this particular copy.

Vademecum Series

Q:  This book has been in our family for a while and would love to find out more about it. It is "The Wonder Book" by Nathaniel Hawthorn.
Any info would be great!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. This series is comprised of numerous reprints of poetry, essays, the classics, etc.

In 1897 the cover was published in a number of different colors while the underlying decorative pattern remained unchanged.

See ../series/series179.htm for more information.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of A Wonder Book Hawthorn small with no publishing or copyright dates. Can you tell me how old it is and if there is any value to it other then its cool!

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. During this year all the Petit Trianon Books had the same pedestal design on the left of the front cover (white, pink and blue have all been seen). On the right half of the cover one of 16 flower pictures were possible. For all the possibilities see ../series/series143.htm

This book only has nominal value.

Boys and Girls Classics Series

Q:  Hello, I am a Seller Broker and a Collector has asked me to sell one of his Alice's Adventures in Wonderland books. I have conducted research but am hoping you can give me some insight as to the year of publication and value of his edition. I have attached a photo of this book, including some ads in the back and the title page.

A:  This book was published as part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. See ../series/series57.htm.

This series used the plates from the Young People's Library-Format 2. Thus you will notice on the title page that it says Young People's Library.

Also the Altemus copyright is on the title page. Although confusing, the copyright is not the date of publication even though it is on the title page.

Looking at the ad pages you have sent, a reasonable guess for date of publication would be 1912. With more ads I might be able come up with another date-but probably not much different.

Value is a tougher question. This book is relatively common. Nonetheless I have seen it sell for anywhere between $5 and $50.

The Altemus reprint Alice prices just seem to me to be unpredictable and not based on scarcity.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of Black Beauty published by Henry Altemus Company. Unfortunately, someone ripped out the copyright page so I have no idea about the history of it. Attached is a picture of the front of the book. Thanks for your time.

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

For more information see ../series/series143.htm

It is an interesting book because of its cover. The artwork was done by Alphonse Mucha who was a famous Czech painter. This painting is called Lady with a Rose. You may wonder where the rose is. Well, when the Altemus artists modified the picture, they replaced the rose with a book. Artistic license I suppose.

For more about Mucha and Altemus see ../artists/artists-Mucha.htm

Unfortunately in this shape it only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Can you identify this book?...It was the Courtship of Miles Standish that is the Altemus book.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. See ../vademecum.htm. It is a 1907 publication.

The picture is #17 which is shown in the picture section on the page above. There are more than 40 pictures that Altemus used with this cover.

They were said to be European paintings. Unfortunately I have been unable to determine the original artists.

Most of the books in this series have very little value. The titles are not widely collected and the they are reprints.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I am very interested in obtaining more information on this book (A Christmas Carol). The copyright date is 1899. I did not find this book front format in your listed designs. Thank you very much.

A:  This book is part of the Beauxarts Series. This publisher's series of reprints was printed between 1897 and 1902. During this time frame there were four different covers. Your cover was published between 1899 and 1901. I have seen five different colors with this decorative pattern.

As with all of this series' books, it is a reprint. Nonetheless, many Dickens' collectors are interested in these decorative books. Thus, the value would be quite unpredictable.