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.

Boys and Girls Classics (New)

Q:  This book (The Little Lame Prince) belonged to my grandfather. He was born in 1913. I took a look at your site, and I couldn't find anything that looked quite like it. Could you tell me anything about it? Inside Title page says copyright 1900, but as your site suggest, it may have been published after that.

A:  Your book is part of Series 57 Boys and Girls Classics (New) Series. See ../series/series57.htm

This series used various pictorial linen cloths for its covers. Your cover has been designated sw-5a and was published sometime between 1908 and the early teens. The exact year can be determined by a study of the ads.

The dating confusion exists because the original Altemus copyright is on the title page. The copyright is not the same as the date of publication in this instance. Also this series used the text from the Young People's Library and thus the title page says the book is from the Young People's Library. This is not the case however.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Good Afternoon, I would like to know what the publication date is for this volume of The Courtship of Miles Standish And Other Poems – Illustrated. Thank you for your assistance.

A:  Your book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901. The picture pasted on the front cover is one of more than forty that was used by Altemus with this cover design. See ../vademecum.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have the book "The Merchant of Venice" published by Henry Altemus Company. No dates are give in the book and all the pages are intact. I've enclosed pictures. Do you have information on the publication date and if it is one of the Shakespeare series?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900.

See: ../series/series180.htm

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello,
I recently purchased Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. It is a Henry Altemus publication, Images of the book's front cover, inside cover and some back pages are attached. However the title page is missing, so I do not know the publication date. Would you be able to help out with this missing info.

A:  Your book was published between 1899-1901 as part of the Beauxarts Series.

See ../series/series48.htm.

Langhorne Series

Q:  Can you possibly date and give a possible value to these two books? One measures measures 3 3/4" x 6 1/8" and is a soft sueded leather in reddish brown hue. The other seems to be a grayish fabric, measuring about 5" x 7 1/2" and has no publishing information but is by Edward Fitzgerald. I was given these by a deceased family member and know absolutely nothing about old books.Thanks for your consideration.

A:  The Altemus book was published between 1914 and 1917. See Langhorne Series

Without the original box the value is probably worth between $5-15.

I cannot tell you anything about the other book. Sorry.

Altemus Library

Q:  Hello, I stumbled upon your website trying to find information about a book I have acquired. It is "Tales from Shakespeare" by Charles and Mary Lamb. The only date I can find is 1894. I might be looking to sell it. Do you have any information or know if it is worth anything? I have attached photos.

A:  Your book is part of the Altemus Library. See ../series/series37.htm It originally came with a dust jacket.

Unfortunately in poor condition it really has only nominal, if any, value.

Dainty Series

Q:  Dear experts, here is some pics.of a book young robin hood. copy right.1900 can you tell me anything more concerning this book?

A:  Your book is part of the Dainty Series.You can find out more about it here: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series74.htm

It is part of the last format (5) of this series published at the end of its print run in around 1908-1909. It originally had a dust jacket.

It has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of the Scarlet Letter published by the Henry Altemus Publishing Company and My late Uncle thought it was published about 1850. It is in very good shape. Thanks

A:  Actually your book was published in 1904. The early date is on the preface which Altemus reprinted.

See: ../series/series180.htm

When Altemus reprinted the classics, it frequently reprinted the entire text including the preface. Thus, it is easy to confuse the date of publication with the date on the preface.

It has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I saw your description on your site referring to Gold Dust as not being published in the 1890's. I beg to differ. I hold in my hand a copy of Gold Dust and inside it specifically says "Copyright 1897 by Henry Altemus".

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898. ../series/series179.htm

The reader is confusing the Altemus copyright date from the date of publication. But in addition we are not sure where she got the idea that we did not think this was published in the 1890's. Perhaps she saw a mention of a later 20th century Altemus version of this title.

World's Classics Series

Q:  Hi, I am trying to figure out what time period this book (Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin) is from, when it was published and any information you can tell me about it. Here is a copy of the cover. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the World's Classics Series (#196) ../series/series196.htm

These books were first published in 1912 and reprinted until 1916. Red, brown and green suede covers have been seen. Originally they came within a labeled box.