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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.