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 Folks Cinderella Series

Q:  Attached is a picture of the front of a book I received that was my father’s. Published in 1921 by the Henry Altemus Company the book is titled, “The Old Time Story of the Three Bears” by Kenneth Graham Duffield. It is written in rhyme. I didn’t find it in your list of books. Any info on the history, etc. would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

A:  You can find your book here: ../series/series188.htm This ten book series consisting of various fairy tales originally was published beginning in 1921. Books were added until 1923. Thereafter the books were reprinted a number of times. All the books originally came in dust jackets.

Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series

Q:  Just curious if this is a first or later edition Peter Rabbit's Christmas. Details include Copyright 1917 by Howard E. Altemus, says Wee Books for Wee Folks on the top of the title page. Page 64 has small blue & black illustration for "The End". Thank you! Kindest regards.

A:  Between 1917 (when this book was first published) and 1920 the cover lettering was red. Beginning in 1921 the cover lettering was dark green/ black.

Thus, your book is a first edition.

It did have a dust jacket. It is shown here.

Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series

Q:  I read with great interest your page on the history of the Tale of Peter Rabbit and related pages. I found an old edition among my father's papers that I want to keep it but my brother wants to sell. I'm frankly hoping it isn't that valuable so we can keep it. May I ask if I've dated it correctly? I've attached scans.

Your wonderfully informative pages suggest that it's a late version of the 3rd edition. The title page doesn't mention "Wee Books" or "Wee Books for Wee Folks", just "Peter Rabbit Series". The endpaper art suggests this is an edition from between 1926 and 1931. This would fit as my father was born in 1921 (his name is neatly written into the "This Book Belongs to..." box). It has no "Wee Books" info on the reverse cover, but rather has four pages appended after the page with "The End" listing the entire "Wee Books" series.

I attach scans of the cover, the endpaper art, the title page and the first of the closing "Wee Books" promotional pages.

If I'm correct, I'd guess is that this edition isn't worth all that much on the rare books market and is more to be treasured for its sentimental value to the family. I'd appreciate your confirmation.

A:  These "Wee" Altemus book can be dated relatively easily and you have done so. The endpapers can give a quick range. The grey ones here were used between 1926 and 1931.

For more info see: Henry Altemus Company - Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series 189

You are correct about the value. The book has little monetary value since it is so common. The exception would be if it had the dust jacket. An example is shown here.

Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series

Q:  Hi there: I have Peter Rabbit's Holiday by Linda Stevens Almond, copyright 1927 Philadelphia by Henry Altemus Company (photo attached). I'm interested in knowing it's approximate value, which I understand is difficult without seeing the item firsthand. There is, as you can see, a water stain on the front cover.

A:  This twenty title series (Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series) is quite a popular one. The books were published between 1917 and 1931. Your volume is #17 and was published in 1927. These titles are in demand but they are also quite common because of their initial popularity. Generally they only bring premium dollars if they have dust jackets which your book unfortunately does not have. Here is a picture of the jacket. With the jacket $50 plus is not unreasonable. Without the jacket in decent shape- $10-25.

Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series

Q:  In your opinion what would be the value of a Third Edition Altemus Peter Rabbit? I have attached a picture of the actual copy, it seems to be in very rough condition. Thank you so much for your time and help.

A:  This Peter Rabbit Series book is quite common. Because of that it does not have much value.

Without a dust jacket it usually sell for less than $25. In poor shape probably a lot less.

Words of Help Series

Q:  Hello, I recently acquired this book (Prayers for Boys) from my grandmother's box of books. If she were alive, she would be 119 years old. Is this book anything of value or significance? Thank you

A:  Unfortunately this book has no monetary value (less than $10). It is part of the eight title "Words of Help" Series which was published in 1927-1928.

See: Henry Altemus Company - Words of Help Series 193

Worldly Wisdom Series

Q:  I am looking to get an appraisal on this book and was hoping that this site could provide guidance. Worldly Wisdom from Emerson
Thank you in advance for your time and attention. It is greatly appreciated.

A:  This book is part of the four volume Worldly Wisdom Series.

There were five formats in this series. This book is from Format 4. See series here.

It originally came within a labeled box.

In this condition, it has no value.

Worldly Wisdom Series

Q:  Hello! I am curious about the value of this little book (Worldly Wisdom from Shakespeare) I’ve had for several years. It’s in pretty good shape, considering its age. The pages are loose, but it appears they are all there. Someone cut a rectangle out of the front endpaper (see picture) and the cover has what appear to be water stains in a pattern that suggests the book may have been used as a coaster.

A:  This book is not uncommon and generally sells for only a few dollars.

See Worldly Wisdom Series ../series/series195.htm

World's Classics Series

Q:  I would appreciate it if you could provide info on our Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Attached are photos of the cover and cover pages.

A:  This book is part of the World's Classics Series. The ten book series of reprints was published between 1912 and 1916. All the limp velvet books originally came in a labeled box. The velvet has been seen in brown, green and red.

In this condition it has no monetary value.

World's Classics Series

Q:  This book (Tales from Shakespeare) belonged to my mother. What can you tell me about it? It has an Introduction dated October 1878.

A:  Your book is part of the World's Classics Series and was published between 1912 and 1916. The books have been seen in red, green or brown. All of the books originally came within labeled boxes. The titles in this series are reprints.

For more information see ../series/series196.htm