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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I was trying to figure out the value of a book and was searching by title and publisher and came across your website. Here is a picture of the cover. I did see an almost identical cover of a different title but I didn't see anything about The House of the Seven Gables. I would like to sell this book but I have no idea how to figure out its value. There are no dates listed in the book so I am not sure when it is published. Anything you can tell me about this book, including any tips on selling books, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1903 as part of the Vademecum Series. See ../vademecum.htm and ../series/series180.htm.

This series consists of reprints only. In 1903 there were a number of different cover colors and more than forty different paintings used as appliques on the cover.

It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Greetings, was wondering if you could give me any details on A Wonder Book by Hawthorne from 1895, and how much I should sell it for? Thanks!

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series179.htm.

It is part of the Vademecum Series of reprints. In 1895 the books of this series were seen in a number of different colors.

You should take whatever you can get since it is a book of very limited interest to collectors.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you please tell me a little about my Grandmothers Book (Uncle Tom's Cabin)? I have attached photos. Do you know around what it may be worth? Thank you,

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. This series consists of reprints of essays, poetry, fiction, etc.

Each year or two the covers were changed. During 1903-1904 there were three possible left sided colors (beige, pink or blue) and sixteen possible flowers on the right.

See ../series/series143.htm

Unfortunately in this condition it has no value.

Devotional Series

Q:  I have a copy of Gold Dust by Henry Altemus. The book measures 4 1/2" X 6 1/4" with what appears to be cloth covered. I will send pics of the cover and the first few pages inside. On the page of copyright it reads: "Copyrighted by Henry Altemus, of Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania, A.D.1897, in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Year of Independence of the United States of America." Below that at the bottom of the page it reads: "Henry Altemus Manufacturer Philadelphia". On the opposite page it reads: "To E.B.H. This little book is most lovingly dedicated". On the inside cover it has hand written "christmas 1899 from Drarish".

What can you tell me about this book, is it common or rare, what's it value???

A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series. See: ../series/series75.htm Each year or two the covers of the Devotional Series were changed. The books are quite common and are all reprints. Your book only has nominal value.

Young People's Library

Q:  I just want to know about how much this book (William the Conqueror) might be worth. I found it in my parents attic .... Looking at the website I believe it is the later 1900 edition ... Thanks in advance for trying to answer my question.

A:  Most of the books of the Young People's Library are quite common and and not widely collected. For this reason without a dust jacket this book has only nominal value. For more information see ../ypl/index.htm

In His Name Series

Q:  Hi, Trying to do some research to determine the value of my book (Eternal Life). Just says Henry Altemus so I'm assuming it is pre 1900. "Copyright by Henry Altemus 1896". Am I correct in assuming this is also publication date? Thank you so much for your help. I was so delighted to find your site.

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series110.htm

Although the Altemus copyright of this book is pre-1900, it was published in the early 1900's. Note that it says Henry Altemus Company at the bottom of the title page. Altemus incorporated in 1900.

Unfortunately most of the titles from this series of reprints are not widely collected and when they sell, it is for just a few dollars.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have attached a photo of a book - Allegories of the Heart - that was presented to my Grandfather in 1903. Can you tell me the approximate publication date?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1902.

See ../series/series180.htm

This series of reprints generally changed covers every year or two. During 1902 there were a number of different possible cover colors. In addition there were more than forty paintings seen within the front cover design.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I would like some information about my copy of the book, Treasure Island by Robert L. Stevenson (picture below and attached). It was published by the Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia, but no date is given. The cover is green cloth with elaborate embossed designs that may once have been gilded. The picture on the cover is faded, but may have been a pirate ship. The dedication is to S.L.O. and the book has 271 pages plus a list of other books available from the publisher. The size is 4 1/4" x 6 1/4". The spine is embossed with Treasure Island at the top and Altemus at the bottom. This book is similar to another copy of Treasure Island that I've seen which is from the Vademecum series, but the cover is different.

Any information you can give me about this book would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series is a multivolume, multiauthored series of numerous reprints ranging from fiction to poetry.

It was published between 1909 and 1912. See: ../series/series180.htm.

It originally came in a red box. The box is pictured on the website.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I bought this book (The Lady of the Lake) at a yardsale. I wasn't having much luck looking it up til I found your site. However, I did not find this exact combination (color and cover painting). The book has an extra page inserted that doesn't seem to go to this book ??? It also has some kind of a silver colored paper cut out embossed sticker looking thing with an image of a chariot on it. Do you know what it is? I will attempt to send photos.

A:  Your book has the 1901 cover from the Vademecum Series. ../vademecum.htm. Each year the of this series changed. Every cover came in a number of different covers.

In the 1901 books more than 40 different potential pictures exist. If you look at the pictures on the URL above, yours is #35. Each color cover can be seen with any picture. So there are 100's of different combinations for each year that these pictures were used -none rarer or more valuable than any other.

I have no idea what the sticker is. Sorry.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hi. I don't know if you still check this website, but I was wondering if you can tell me about this book (A Child's Garden of Verses)? Thanks.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library Format 4. You can see it here: ../series/series202F4.htm

This format was published between 1923 and 1933. Originally it came with a dust jacket which matches the book cover. Except for a few special titles (not this one), without a dust jacket most of the books in the format have little value.