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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am wondering if this is a first edition and its approximate value. Thank you so much for your time.

Weird Tales by Edgar Allen Poe
Illustrated
Henry Altemus Company
Copyright 1895 by Henry Altemus
258 pages Excellent condition (It looks as if the book was never read)

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series which is a series of reprints. Your book is not a first edition. Altemus published no Poe first editions. This book was published in 1903. During this year the cover came in a number of colors with one of more than 40 illustrations.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I purchased this book today, "Ten Nights in a Bar Room". Attached is a picture of the cover. I was wondering if I wasted my money? Could you tell me when it was published? On the third page, a hand written note is as follows: "Presented to Mr. Oliver Hill by his schoolmates in the Miltore Center Schools Oct. 15, 1901" Thank you for any info you have.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. It was published in 1900. See Series 180 Anything more than a few dollars and you spent too much.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have recently received a book apparently put out by the Henry Altemus Company and am dying to know more of the details of the book but have yet to find any information of the book anywhere. I have read and reread the story of one of our greatest hero's this nation has ever seen. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the book title and in the book there has been placed an old stamp of sorts for an old Sunday school saying this book was given to a student in 1904. I would like to know as much information about the publication of this book by the company as possible. Is there any way you can help, as it would be much appreciated. Thank you very much for your time and a very happy holiday to you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. There are multiple different cover formats for this series. Your book is a 1904 edition.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this book and want any info you can share with me. What is the value of this book? Condition is excellent. There is a red box that this book was in with a little wear and tear consisting of scuff marks.

A:  Your book can be found at Series 180. It is part of the Vademecum Series which is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. It is a 1915 edition. Value is anywhere between zero and $25 (with the box) depending on which buyers see it. By the way, without the box it generally has very little value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi there,
I have an old copy of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Tanglewood Tales published by your company. I wonder if you could give me any information about this edition.
Thanks,

A:  Your book was published between 1909-1912 as part of the Vademecum Series. It originally came within a red labeled box.

It is one of a myriad of Altemus reprints of this title.

It has only nominal value.

See Series 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I would like to confirm the date of publishing of this book. It's a curious read. I've enjoyed the artwork that was used on these books pictures on your site but have not come across this one yet. Thank you for any information you can share.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1907. For several years Altemus incorporated European paintings onto their covers. I have seen 42 different as of this date. Your picture is the far left of picture #8 and the far right of #2.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi I found this book The Chimes by Charles Dickens at a yard sale and I have been trying to find out its age and if it is a 1st edition and have found nothing, so I decided to go another route, through the publisher which has led me to the expert, you. So I guess the question is what can you tell me about my book?

A:  Your book is a late reprint. The first edition was published in the 1840's. Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1915.

Altemus published no first editions of Charles Dickens. Altemus published books for reading for the first time in 1889 which was nineteen years after Dickens died.

See: Series 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a book I found in a Thrift Store a few years ago and cannot find any info on how much it is worth or if it is a collectible.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Henry Morley Introduction
Henry Altemus Publication Philadelphia

A:  Your book was published in 1901 as part of the Vademecum Series

The cover illustration was done by Alphonse Mucha as part of his seasons illustrations. It is spring.
See also Series 180

The book is very nice but has very little value.

Of interest is that I have yet to see Mucha's autumn. I have seen the other three seasons numerous times.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello- I have a copy of copy of Nathaniel Hawthorne's , A Wonder Book - publisher Henry Altemus Company. There is no publishing date but an inscription and date: Margaret Waggener, "Xmas 1894" with additional date 1904.

The cover is grey cloth, with two short inset columns (top right and left sides) with daffodils in yellow and red. In between the columns is a very ornate design that has worn off the yellow coloring.

Can you give me any history information? Do you know what it's value would be?

A:  This is another publisher's series book. This is a 1905-1906 Vademecum Series title. The books of this series are perhaps the most common of all publisher's series books and this is one of the most commonly found covers (years).

The cover has been seen in a number of colors and 4 different applique flowers have been seen.

Because the title and format are not widely collected, the book has only nominal value.

I am unsure what the significance of the inscription of 1894 is except to note that it has nothing to do with the date of this book.Series 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of Uncle Toms Cabin. I believe it to be a first edition from Henry Altemus, can you confirm?

A:  The first edition of Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852 by John Jewett.

Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Vademecum Series. It originally came in a labeled box. Altemus published this title numerous times in numerous formats beginning in 1894. All Altemus copies are reprints.