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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.

 

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Questions & Answers
Date Series Num Information
17 Jan 2012 87

Favorite Series

Q:  Hi—Finally took some photos of the book. I would like to know if there is a market for a first edition 1896 of “Altemus' Favorite Series The Fables of Aesop.” It’s in fairly good condition, binding still fine, with beat-up but readable dust jacket. There is a raven or crow dropping a ball into an urn on the dust jacket and cover. There is a stamped name and date on the inside first blank page, but I haven’t seen any other marks except for some slight grease marks (fingers?) on a few pages. I have looked online and couldn’t find any other copies for sale or wanted, and only found it listed on your site. Please advise.

A:  Your book is part of Altemus' Favorite Series. This is a series of nineteen books which are all reprints came in two different formats. The book above is a second format book (1902-1910) and the covers of this format are the same as those in the Young People's Library. See ../series/series87.htm

The date of publication can be determined by looking at the ads in the back of the book and following the information in the "series notes" on the page above. This book is a reprint.

I think it is a very nice book especially because you have the original dust jacket. It can be hard to estimate the value. Generally this book with the jacket would sell for about $15-25. Dealers might list it for much more but unless someone just has to have it, the book will remain unsold. Sometimes a similar book will not sell at all at any price. I guess you just never know.


16 Jan 2012 202

Young People's Library- Format 1

Q:  I am so glad I found your website. I have been trying really hard to find the value of a book I have. It is a henry altemus book. altemus young peoples library. I actually found the book on your site and info just not the value. It is series #202, volume #8, not the first edition. The book is in very good condition. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you could be. I have attached three pictures for your consideration.

A:  This book is part of the First Format of the Young People's Library. The books of this format are much less commonly found then the later formats of this series. Swiss Family Robinson was published between 1896-1898 in this style. The cover has been seen in several different colors.

It appears that you have a very nice book. The site does not give any values because prices can change with time and are also quite dependent upon condition. In my experience this book would sell for less than $20. Of course you never know when someone just has to have a book but that price is what I have seen over quite a number of years.


15 Jan 2012 131

Mother Goose Series

Q:  My grandmother left me several old books, one of them is Beauty and the Beast and other stories. Can you help provide me with confirmation of information about this book, possibly its value if there is any, and is it possibly a 1st edition. I’m considering selling it and need to verify what I have and what it may be worth if possible. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated

A:  You can determine the edition of your book by looking here: ../series/series131.htm

It is a second format book in the Mother Goose Series. The first format books have a colored left sided cover vellum. Compare the pictures. The first format book has red vellum on the left of the cover.

Your book is a reprint and without a dust jacket will be difficult to sell for more than a few dollars.


04 Jan 2012 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of this book and can't find a picture of it on your site or on ebay or amazon. The book is approximately 4 x 6 and appears the be leather bound. It is a greenish maybe teal color cover it has a small picture in the center with a three story maybe store front with a awning over one door or window. It does not have a copy write date in it. The third page is a picture it reads at bottom see page 15. the next page is green and red top-John Bunyan middle-The Pilgrim's Progress bottom-Philadelphia Henry Altemus Company. Any idea how I can find out the value I can't find anything to compare it to.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1907.

In 1907, the Vademecum Series had the cover pattern of your book with one of more than forty possible pictures within the cover decoration.

If you look at the Vademecum site (../vademecum.htm), you will see that your book's picture is #9 and the book cover is shown as a 1907 cover.

Because this title is a reprint and your book is in poor shape, it probably has no value.


03 Jan 2012 163

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I would like to know what series this book is or any information you can give me on this book? It's copyright date is 1895 and titled Poe's Poems. Value?

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Sanspareil Series.

See ../series/series163.htm.

It is a reprint and generally sells for only a few dollars. There are a number of Poe collectors that sometimes however will pay more than I think the book is worth.


02 Jan 2012 177

Uncle Jim's Bible Stories Series

Q:  I HAVE JUST DISCOVERED THIS BOOK AND WAS HOPING TO FIND OUT MORE INFO.

A:  This book comes from a four book series, Uncle Jim's Bible Stories Series written by Hartwell James. It was first published in 1916. All the books of this series were first published with dust jackets.

I have seen this title with an applique (paste-on) on the front cover. This picture is included for comparison purposes.

See ../series/series177.htm for more information.

Without the dust jacket this title has only nominal value.


01 Jan 2012 163

Sanspareil Series

Q:  Can u tell me anything about this book (Black Beauty)? there are only 4 illustrations. the only color page is opposite the author page. no date. engraved cover.

A:  Your book is from the Sanspareil Series and was published in 1899. This is a publisher's series of reprints. It consists mainly of fiction, poetry, essays, etc. It originally came with a dust jacket.

See ../series/series163.htm

Since the books of this series are all reprints, except for a few special well collected titles, their value is only nominal.


30 Dec 2011 58

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I was wondering if you could tell me anything about this book? It has no date what-so-ever, but from your website I am guessing it to be about a 1901-1903 publication of Black Beauty? My copy has an ink splot on the cover.

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

These books were published between 1899 and 1906. You can date this book more closely by looking at the ads and then at the section on the site above which gives a dating flowchart.

It is a reprint and is relatively common. Initially this book came in a labeled box.


29 Dec 2011 179

Vademecum Series

Q:  Good morning -
Attached please find pics of The Scarlet Letter published by Henry Altemus. However, inside the book, at the beginning, are the preface and introduction to Natural Law in the Spiritual World by Henry Drummond, up to page 12 and then the next page is page 33 of The Scarlet Letter. Have you ever seen anything like it?


A:  I have seen mistakes like this but not this exact one.

I suspect someone at the factory was not thinking clearly.

The book is an 1898 publication from the Vademecum Series. ../series/series179.htm


23 Dec 2011 127

Love and Friendship Series

Q:  I have a book (The Courting of Dinah Shadd) from my grandmother's estate, and I would like to give it to my son and daughter-in-law. A copy of the cover is attached. The book is in good condition, and was given to my grandmother at some point before 1907 as a Sunday School gift from her teacher.
I have researched as much as I can from your website, and would like to have an approximate value, or any additional information you have have, to include with notes in the book.

The only writing in the book is the notation by the teacher to my grandmother of the gift.


A:  Information about your book can be found here: ../series/series127.htm

It is a reprint and this title is not in great demand.

It only has nominal value.


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