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.

Favorite Series for Young People

Q:  Hi there, We were wondering if is copy of "THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS" has any value whatsoever? The book is very worn and was given as a gift to Hugh Sefton in 1902 as Christmas present.

A:  Ordinarily this title would be sought after because of the highly collectible nature of the Lewis Carroll Alice books. The books from this 19 book series (Favorite Series for Young People ../series/series87.htm) are much less common than those from the Young People's Library and those books frequently sell for more than $50. Unfortunately because your book is in such poor condition, only a novice book collector would pay more than a few dollars for it.

The Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Good afternoon,

Attached please find two photos of my book "Through the Looking Glass" published by Altemus. As you see, the cover has gilden writing and floral design. I am not sure of the year of publication; if it is a first edition; and its value. Could you assist? Thank you

A:  This book belongs to a series of reprints called The Boys and Girls Classics. You can see more about your book here: ../series/series58.htm

The books that have the gold gilt flowers were published between 1899 and 1902.

Most books in this series have only nominal value. The Lewis Carroll books are more widely collected and therefore of a higher worth.

Value is variable-generally $0-40.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello! We are hoping to verify authenticity of this book (Carmen), and perhaps it's value. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901. See: ../vademecum.htm

The picture on the cover was painted by Alphonse Mucha as part of his four painting Seasons Series. It is entitled Summer.

This book usually sells in the range of $0-25.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  I have a important question to ask. My father gave me a book called "The Song of Hiawatha" by Henry Longfellow. The cover of the book is made of leather which is very frail and fragile. It has 219 pages with notes and vocabulary sections at the end. Inside the first pages is a drawing of "Minnehaha". It was published at The Henry Altemus Company. I was wondering if it could possibly be an original from 1855?

A:  Your book is part of the 10 book Poems We Love Series. It was published between 1912 and 1915. The covers have been seen in brown or green suede. The books originally came in a labeled box.

More information about your book can be found at ../series/series146.htm

It only has nominal value.

Boys and Girls Classics (new)

Q:  Hello, we have a copy of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" with the box. The binding is much different than others we have seen from this era [Date of T.P.1897] The binding is printed cloth in several colors with Dutch people, windmills, etc. Red and black paper labels on the front and spine. White endpapers, color frontis, other color and B & W illus. 160 pp. plus ads. Measures 6.75 X 5.25 inches.

The box has a paper floral top. A paper label on the side of the box say's "NO.2 Altemus Boys and Girls Classics Alice's Adventures In Wonderland."

We cannot find a Altemus copy with this binding anywhere. The book itself is Near Fine. Can we assume this is a rare variant binding? Would you have a est. value?

Thank you for your help and excellent website.

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series57.htm

This is not a rare binding variant. The binding you describe can be seen in its entirety in the picture section as Swatch 1.

I have seen several designs on the box. They are also shown in the picture section.

Estimating the value is a difficult proposition. Some very common Altemus titles sometimes sell for a multiple of what I think they are worth on one day. On the next day they do not sell at all.

I would estimate a fair value for your book with the scarce box is between $25-100.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a wonderful old book (Walden) and would like to know if you can tell me about it. I don’t even know when it was published. Thank you in advance for any information you may have.

A:  Your book can be found here with the 1904 books. ../series/series180.htm

It is part of the Vademecum Series which was a long running series of reprints. Four different paste-on flower patterns have been noted in your book's format.

This book originally came in a labeled box.

Since it is a reprint of a not very popular title, it has only nominal value.

Yuletide Series

Q:  Dear Henry Altemus company,
I am in possession of a book (A Christmas Carol) that I am selling for my church, I was wondering what the value range is? I have attached a picture; any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book belongs to the eight volume Yuletide Series. ../series/series203.htm

This series of suede cover books can be found in green or red. Originally the books which were published between 1912 and 1916 came in a labeled box.

As is clear from the title, most of the books have a Christmas theme. They are relatively common and generally sell for about $10.

Since it is now the holiday season bidders may not be very logical and bid it up for more than it is worth. This is a great time to sell this book.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I am hoping you can help me date a book. My grandmother is moving and as we were packing came across a few books we didn't want to put in with the estate sale. I found a post and you were discussing the same book (The House of the Seven Gables), however, the cover appears to be different than the one described. I am attaching two photos. One of the cover, and the other of the inside of the book with the publisher info. There is not a copyright date in this book. Any information would be appreciated as this is a "family treasure" we would like to preserve for our future generations.

A:  Your book can be found with the 1904 Vademecum Series books here: ../series/series180.htm

During this year there were four different flower patterns used. They can be seen in the picture section of the site noted above.

In terms of value, because of its average shape and it being a not very collectible title, it only has sentimental value.

Rosemonte Series

Q:  Hi, I am sure this happen all the time but I can't find a date on this book (Black Beauty). I am wondering if you can tell me the age? The pages are uneven and really rough cut. The illustrations are mostly black but I think there are 3 or 4 color ones. This one does not have any copyright from what I can see. I have thought of giving this to a family member but don't want to let it go if it is valuable.

A:  I believe that this book was first published in 1915 and then reprinted for a few years thereafter.

It is a late reprint of this title.

Although a very nice book with great illustrations, because there are just so many editions of this title it has no significant value.
See: Rosemonte Series

Famous Red and White Books

Q:  Hi, I just bought this book at an auction. It was among a lot of books. Can you tell me anything about it?

I can send you other pictures if you need them.

Thanks,

A:  Your book is part of Series #85. See ../series/series85.htm

This was one of Altemus' early series. Despite its age, this book is fairly common and has only nominal value.