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.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  We have a copy of Peter Rabbit in the beige cover color, with end page illustrations. Your site explains that it would be a Second Edition, Second Format, and date from 1908-1912, but that it should not have the end page illustrations. Can you please help us further identify it?

We know to ignore the 1904 date on the title page.

The title page reads:
Philadelphia
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
Copyright, 1904, by Henry Altemus

The book is 123 pages long, and has the blank pages, so the only odd thing about it, as far as we can tell, is that it has end page illustrations.

Is this still a 1908-1912, Second Edition, Second Format, or is it a Second Edition, First Format?

Our concern is that we correctly identify it before we try to sell it.

A:  Altemus published the first American edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series. Some of the very early beige Peter Rabbits did have the end paper illustrations. For more information, see: http://www.henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I found this website by Googling the name of this book I found in my family’s heirlooms. Looks like it was given to a relative in 1908 for Christmas (Inscription on one of the first pages). The Foolish Fox
I would love to know any information you have on this book and what it is worth. I'm putting together a list of things, with estimated values, for an estate.

A:  Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series, Format 1 and was published in 1904. This format was only published for a short time and by the end of 1904 was replaced with Format 2 books.

Originally the six books of the series were sold in three boxed sets. The Foolish Fox was boxed with The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Fair value would be $10-20.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I found this small book and was trying to determine when it might have been printed. From what I have read on the web site it appears it may have been prior to 1916, although the information does not mention red lettering on the blue-grey cover. Is there any value to this book? The Robber Kitten

Thank you for any information you are able to give.

A:  Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks' Series-Format 2.

This book is pictured as Format 2b #6. It was published between 1912 and 1918. Note that between 1904 and 1912 this title was published with a green not beige cover.

It originally came with a dust jacket. It is pictured here.

Without the jacket it has minimal value.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I have a Nursery Tales copyright 1904 by Henry Altemus 45 illustrations by J.R. Neil wondering value.

A:  This book is from the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series and is part of the first format. This style was only published in 1904. Originally it was boxed with another title from this series, Nursery Rhymes. Subsequently this title was published in a number of formats.

Later in 1904 the green cloth book was printed and was followed in about 1908 by the beige cloth book.

In 1916 the title was changed to Mother Goose's Nursery Tales.

In 1918 the format was changed again. This format was unchanged until 1933. (shown here)

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  Can you give me an idea of the value of this book (Peter Rabbit)? Publication date of 1904. Thanks.

A:  One of the most well known of the Henry Altemus titles is the first American edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It was part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series and was published in 1904. This book / edition was part of a two book boxed set. The other book was The Foolish Fox.

Your book is the second American edition, published later in 1904. This book originally came with a dust jacket which matched the front cover of the volume. Sometime between 1908 and 1912 the front cover color was changed to beige. This latter book is the second printing of the second edition. It was published in this format until 1917.

For more information see http://www.henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I was just wondering if you could tell me if the book was worth anything. Peter Rabbit. Found it recently and didn't know what to do with it. Thank you.

A:  The extremely popular Wee Books for Wee Folks Series of books were published from 1904 to the early 1930's. There were three formats for the Peter Rabbit title. The first Altemus (and American edition) was published in 1904 as part of a two volume boxed set. The other book was The Foolish Fox.

Later in 1904 the second edition was published. This edition had two formats. A green cover was noted until about 1908 and then your book with the beige cover was published until 1917.

All of the Tale of Peter Rabbit Wee Books show the 1904 copyright date on the title page. this is regardless of the date the book was actually published.

Note the date at the base of the title page here.

Value $10-20

Wee Books for Wee Folks Series

Q:  Curious as to the value of this book? Three Little Pigs

A:  This book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series.

It is a first Altemus edition published in 1904. It originally was published within a box that included the Robber Kitten. It was only published in this format for a short time. Later in 1904 the format changed to a more familiar one (Three pigs walking next to the brick wall).

Despite its scarcity it has limited value, especially in poor shape.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  Dear Altemus book expert,
I recently acquired this very old and also very tattered version of Peter Rabbit. I am almost afraid to touch this book. I am not a collector although, I might have just become one. This book has made me quite confused and I have a couple questions I was hoping you could answer since you were the publisher. Can you please guide me as to what exactly I should do with this book to preserve it, what I should do if I keep it, and how do I go about selling this book to somebody and also in finding its value?

A:  The Tale of Peter Rabbit appeared initially in the six book Wee Books for Wee Folks Series.

Altemus published Peter Rabbit in three different formats. The first format which is the rarest was published only in 1904. It is pictured here. It has line drawn pictures on the end papers. Originally it was sold boxed with the Foolish Fox book. It is 5.5 x 4.25.

Your book is the first American edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It is certainly the rarest of the Altemus Peter Rabbit books and generally the most valuable. Unfortunately, it probably would cost more to repair this book than it is worth. For more information see ../peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I have a very clean copy of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. These were my father's from his childhood. I believe that they are first or second edition and first format. I would be interested to know more, or if they are rare etc.

A:  Your book is the second edition-first format Altemus Peter Rabbit. It was published sometime between late 1904 to probably around 1908.

Originally it came in a brown uncoated dust jacket. It is a rather easy book to find.

The first American edition Tale of Peter Rabbit was published earlier in 1904.

For more information see ../peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I have what I believe is a first edition (pirated) copy of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It looks exactly like the one on your website. I am trying to find out if there is any value to it.

Here is what it looks like:

A:  This is a great book. It is the first American edition of Peter Rabbit.

You can find out more here: ../peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

Frequently other Altemus editions are touted as the first but this is really it.

It was published early in 1904. Later in 1904 Altemus published its second Tale of Peter Rabbit edition. It is the green book below. In 1917 the most commonly seen Altemus Peter Rabbit was published. It is the one with the paste-on picture. This edition was printed into the 1930's.

Having said that, it is always hard to predict prices. I think you should be able to get $50-100 for it.