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.

Non Series

Q:  I have a copy of Henryk Sienkiewicz's "Quo Vadis" published by Henry Altemus, copyright 1897. As you can see from the attached photo, it has a picture of a woman praying on the front cover. I have not seen this cover before. Can you tell me anything about this edition?

A:  Your book is the second American edition of this title. This was a huge seller for Altemus. I am including a picture of the first edition cover.

See: ../images/NS_116.htm

Classics Series

Q:  I am hoping that you can help. I have attached pictures of a book (Evangeline) that was left to me by my mother. It has a handwritten message inside from my grandmother to my mother for Christmas 1909. The book is 148 pages. I'm trying to find out what year it was published. I got lost on your awesome website.

A:  Your book is part of the Classics Series. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series69.htm

I would date it in the 1907-1911 range.

It originally came in a box which you can see an example of on the series site.

Golden Treasury Series

Q:  I did not see this on your website.
copyright 1895

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series99.htm. The Golden Treasury Series was published between 1899 and 1901. There are two formats. Your book is from the first format and was published in 1899.

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  My name is Emma and I recently bought a book titled "The Fairy Gifts" published by what I believe to be this company, in 1905. I have only been able to find two for sale online both for $89.99, but no information on the book itself. I was inquiring to see if you had any information on whether this book was published by this company and anything about the book at all. I am very interested in anything at all that you can tell me about this book. Also if you have any idea of how much this books is worth. I greatly appreciate any time you take to reply to this message, and any information you have about this book.

A:  Your book is part of the Banbury Cross Series. See ../series/series44.htm

Of course, everyone has an opinion - but the likelihood of anyone selling this book especially without the dust jacket for anything close to $89 is zero.

Although it is a nice book, it is not very widely sought after. Generally when the books of this series sell, it is for $15 or less.

One of the important things to note is that anyone can list a book for any price they want. Selling it is a lot tougher. There are lots of outlandish prices on line for Altemus books. These books most often stay unsold over the months and years.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.