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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.

 

Click thumbnail images to enlarge.

 

Questions & Answers
Date Series Num Information
10 Jul 2011 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I came across this book (A Christmas Carol) in my father's belongings. I wondered what it might be worth and where I might go to sell it?

A:  Your book was published in 1900 as part of the Vademecum Series. ../series/series180.htm

The books of this series are all reprints and in 1900 came in a labeled box.

Although A Christmas Carol is a very well known and love book, these rather ordinary reprints seldom sell for more than a few dollars.


24 Jun 2011 87

Favorite Series

Q:  I was given these (Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass) a few years back when my grandfather passed away I was told they were his mothers, they seem to be in really good shape no tears in the bindings or pages what is it that I have here.

A:  Your books are part of the Favorite Series (../series/series87.htm).

They are somewhat uncommon and a nice set of "Alice" books. They are reprints but since they are in nice shape they would be desirable to Alice collectors.

The title page of these books say "Young People's Library". Several Altemus series used the Young People's Library interiors with different covers. This is an example of that.


22 Jun 2011 125

Little Men and Women Series

Q:  Hello, I have an old book (Alice in Wonderland) that I've tried to find information about but so far I haven't had any luck with it. I'm attaching pictures of the front cover of the book as well as one of the inside pages and I'm hoping you might be able to tell me when this was published and what it might be worth.

Thank you for any information you can give me.


A:  Your book can be found in the Little Men and Women Series. See: ../series/series125.htm. It is book #3. If there are ads in the back of the book, it can be dated fairly easily.

It is a reprint but even so, "Alice" collectors might be interested. Usually without the dust jacket this book will sell for between $10-35. Because your book is not in the best shape, a slightly lower price would be expected.


21 Jun 2011 162

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I have an Henry Altemus book titled "Essays", by Ralph Waldo Emerson Second series. There is a Roman numeral II on the top of the spine. The front cover is green and has an oval in the center with Red Poppies inside of it. I've attached photos. I thought that I had seen it on your HenryAltemus.com website but now can't locate it. Can you please tell me what series and year it is?

A:  Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Sanspareil Series. This publisher's series included only reprints of poetry, essays, classics, fiction, etc.

See ../series/series162.htm for more information.


20 Jun 2011 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello - We saw on a book collecting website, (reference attached), your kind offer to help someone identify the year of publication of, "Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam", published by Henry Altemus Company, and were hoping you could possibly help us with the date of publication the book we have. As requested, we are sending a scan of the front cover.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series (../series/series180.htm). This series of reprints included essays, classics, poetry, fiction, etc. Every year or so the cover design would change. This book was published in 1902. A number of different color covers have been seen. Also more than 40 pictures within the cover design have been found. For more see ../vademecum.htm.


19 Jun 2011 143

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Would you have information on the attached three books (Blithedale Romance, Lady of the Lake, Charlotte Temple), such as year published and current selling price? I would appreciate your expertise.

A:  The books with the flower surrounded by acorns can be found here with the 1907 books. ../series/series143.htm. There are four possible flower patterns.

The book with the pedestal on the left and the carnation on the right can be found on the same page with the 1903-1904 books. Sixteen different flowers have been seen on the right half of the cover of this format.

All three books are part of the Petit Trianon Series. This is a series that included reprints of various works of fiction, poetry, essays, etc.

Generally if these books sell at all it is for nominal dollars.


18 Jun 2011 164

Shakespeare's Plays

Q:  I have a set of Shakespeare, probably 20 or so mini books about 4 x 6 in a burgundy type cloth with a shield emblem on the cover.

There are no print dates. But each book is a work of Shakespeare. I found an exact copy on line on Ebay last evening. Taming of the Shrew they were asking $49 but really offered no information or origin (date or where printed) about the book. They are my grandparents and we are very interested to know about them. They are eldery late 80 and can't remember if their's or their parents. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you. i sent photo under separate email. thank you kindly.


A:  This series of 39 books is extremely common and the books only have nominal value. They are frequently listed for fairly high prices but seldom sell for more than a dollar or two a book.

Your books appear to have decorated end papers indicating that are pre-1905. They also were published by Henry Altemus Company telling us that they were published in 1900 or later. (Altemus incorporated in 1900). These book originally came with dust jackets.

For more information about this series see ../series/series164.htm.


17 Jun 2011 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I have a Henry Altemus Company published book of the song of Hiawatha by Longfellow. It doesn't have a publishing date on it. It is in green leather with a farmer in a wheat field on the cover and a drawing of Minnehaha on the inside.. I can't seem to find anything about my book. Do you know anything? Thank you for your help.

A:  Your book is a 1907 publication and is part of the Vademecum Series. During this year this series of reprints used more than 40 pictures as paste-ons. Frequently the cover picture was part of a larger painting.

One part of the painting might be on one book and another part of the painting might appear on another book. Click here to see the large painting that includes your book's picture.

See ../vademecum.htm for more information.


16 Jun 2011 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently purchased a copy of "An Englishwoman's Love Letters" at a local antique store, printed by the Henry Altemus Company. I looked to see if my cover matched any listed on your site but it doesn't appear so. I was wondering if it was perhaps an unlisted design. The gold print on the front (I'm sorry for a lack of proper terminology) appears to be mostly that of a grape vine with two flowers with multiple petals. There is also a gold frame around a picture of a field, and a few people working in it.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901. The cover format can be seen here: (Series 180)

During this year there were more than 40 different pictures used as paste-ons on the front cover. Your book's exact cover picture can be seen here Vademecum and is listed as picture #18.


15 Jun 2011 202

Young People's Library Format 3

Q:  Rip Van Winkle. Year 1900. All pages 46 illustrations up 230 pages. Plus the young people library after the 230 pages. Do you know what edition this is. Its in good condition. But not like new. If any value to the book. I know it's the

Thank You for your time. Jim

Picture attaches of book cover. But not mine. Do not have a camera or scanner. But it tell you what book it is.


A:  You can start here (../ypl/index.htm) and date your book fairly easily. Based on the ads in the back of the book, you will be able to narrow down the date of publication to a specific date between1902-1923 (when the third format of the Young People's Library was published).

It only has nominal value.


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