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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.

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Questions & Answers
Date Series Num Information
01 Oct 2011 202

Young People's Library

Q:  My father passed away and left me some books of which I would like to know if are just copies or originals. The book in question is The Story of Exploration and Discovery of the Frozen Seas. I am attaching some photos of the book showing the cover and the inside page and frontispiece. The frontispiece is different than others I have seen. It says the book was copyright 1896 but I know it could be a later date as well. I am not sure of the format of this book either. I have been reading what I could find on the internet and nothing I have seen tells me if it is original or not so I thought perhaps you could tell me. The last five or six pages of the book list all the publications that are for sale. I also noted the spine says The Frozen Seas while the cover says Exploration and Discovery in the Frozen Seas and the inside page says The Story of Exploration and Discovery in the Frozen Seas. If you could help me by telling me if this book is a genuine original I would be very grateful.

A:  Actually your book is in the pictures. It is #14 Later here ../series/series202F3.htm.

It was published after 1902. You can figure out the exact year by following the dating instructions on this page. The date on the title page indicates the copyright and not the date that this particular book was published by Altemus.

This title was first published by Altemus in 1896. The earliest formats can be seen here: ../series/series202F1.htm.

It is therefore a late reprint and has little value.


28 Aug 2011 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. My friend bought this book for me the other day. I am not looking to sell it as I am a huge Alice in Wonderland collector, but I am wondering what kind of value (if any) there is behind it. I really don't know anything about it, sorry I am not of much help. The inside says Henry Altemus, copyright 1899. Please let me know any information you have on it.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1899. See ../series/series180.htm This series consisted of reprints of various works of fiction, essays, poetry, etc.

Most of the books in this series have only have nominal value. If a book has its original labeled box with it, it would be worth a bit more. Perhaps this book is slightly more valuable because of the volume of "Alice" collectors. Certainly still a very inexpensive book.


26 Aug 2011 47

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, I bought this book (Representative Men) for my Father and we are trying to find out the date it was published and if it has any significant value. Attached are the photos of the cover, and inside pages. From some research I have found it is part of the Vademecum Series, but I cannot seem to find a photo on this site of a cover that looks similar. I would appreciate any information that you can give me, thank you,

A:  Actually your book is part of the Beauxarts Series (See: ../series/series47.htm). It was published in 1897. Each year that the Beauxarts Series was published (1897-1902) it had a different cover format. During this year the cover format has been seen in a number of colors. This publisher's series of titles consists of the reprints of fiction, classics, poetry, essays, etc.

Because your book is a reprint of a not very collectible title, it only has nominal value.


25 Aug 2011

Non Series #54- The Fairy Tale Book

Q:  Hi! Thank you for your website and provided information. You have done an awsome job setting this up. I bought this book (The Fairy Tale Book) a while back in Long Island NY in an old bookshop. Unfortunately, it is not dated. What can you tell me about it? Thanks for any information.

A:  This book was first published by Altemus in 1917 and reprinted for a number of years thereafter. See ../images/NS_54.jpg

Every now and then one comes up for sale. Depending on condition, I have seen prices vary from "no sale" to about $35.


24 Aug 2011 44

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  What is the value of this book (Blue Beard)? How should I store it?

A:  Your book is part of the Banbury Cross Series. This ten book series of fairy tales originally were issued with dust jackets. This book without a dust jacket is quite common. I do not think your method of storage can hurt its value.


23 Aug 2011 143

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I recently aquired the book The Scarlet Letter. It appears to be dated 1899 the cover is different than the ones you have listed can you tell me more of this book. There is no illustrations or pictures and says Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This publisher's series of reprints changed its cover on a yearly basis. (../series/series143.htm).

Your book's cover was published in 1901-1902. During these years the lady on the left can be found with any one of sixteen flower pictures on the right.


22 Aug 2011 34

Young Engineers Series

Q:  Hello, I obtained this book from an estate sale (The Young Engineers in Mexico). Was wondering what the worth was and if it is a desirable collectible. I have attached photos for your review. Thank you very much.

A:  This book is part of the Young Engineers Series (../series/series34.htm). This is part of the third format of this series and was published in the mid-late 1920's. Without a dust jacket these Altemus juvenile series books seldom sell for more than a few dollars. Because your book is not in the best shape, you most likely will have difficulty selling it at any price.


03 Aug 2011 59

Boys and Girls Own Library

Q:  Could you please help me with some information concerning this book (Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin)? I would like to know the publishing date and value. Thank you,

A:  Your book belongs to one of two series. Both of these series have very similar covers but the lettering of Series 59 (../series/series59.htm) is brownish (like your book) whereas the lettering on the covers of Series 58 books (../series/series58.htm) is gold.

So I think your book belongs to the later series (#59). Series 59 advertises the Little Men and Women Series in the back ads.

If you are unsure, let me know. I can easily date your book if I know what ads are in the back.

("Yes, I do find the ad for Little Men and Women.") --With this information the date of this book is 1909-1910.


02 Aug 2011 143

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I purchased this book at a thrift store and I am just curious to know a publishing date and whatever other info I could possibly find out about it. If you could help me out that would be fantastic. It is The Sketch Book by Washington Irving.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. This series is comprised of titles which are reprints of fiction, poetry, the classics, essays, etc. See: ../series/series143.htm.

All the books from this year originally came in a labeled box.

The pedestal on the left of the cover is characteristic of all the books in this series published in 1903-1904. The left side has been seen in pink, blue and beige. There is also a suede variant. Any one of sixteen different flower pictures is a possibility on the right half of the cover.


01 Aug 2011 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Can you give me any information about this book (A Christmas Carol)? When published, etc.?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series (../series/series180.htm) and was published between 1909 and 1912. This series consists of reprints of essays, fiction, classics, poetry, etc. Your book originally came in a red labeled box.

Since it is a late reprint, it only has nominal value.


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