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.

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

World's Classics Series

Q:  History of book by Henry Altemus Company:
It is 6 inches by 4 1/2 inches -- Outside is a felt material
Inscribes with Gold Leaf - Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin with a flower on the bottom right side (Gold Leaf)
A picture of Benjamin on the 3rd page
287 pages, no series numbers, no advertisements in back

A:  This book is part of the World's Classic Series and was published between 1912 and 1916. The limp velvet calf has been seen in both green and red. It is a reprint. Originally the book came in a labeled box.

../series/series196.htm

Altemus published a number of series that are very similar exact for the gold gilt decoration on the bottom right of the front cover.

In this condition it has no value.

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.

Wyncote Series

Q:  Hi, I have this red hard cover, Altemus printing of The Man Without a Country with a 1908 copyright date. The title is in gold on the front but without the author, and since there is also nothing on the spine, I think it had a dust jacket. I tried for about an hour to find a similar copy but could not. The last distinguishing feature is the red border found on most pages; I saw this on a small number of other printings. I would really appreciate help in finding out more about this edition. Thank you.

A:  Your book is from the Wyncote Series and was published between 1927-1933.

The four books in this series are reprints and did originally have dust jackets. See here.

Wyncote Series

Q:  Hello, Could you also tell me what the value is?
I just recently purchased a hardback of the Christmas Carol. It has no date on when it was printed. Just wondering if you can put any light on this. It does have an inscription from the original owner dated 1931.

A:  The four books of the Wyncote Series were published in 1927.

They originally had dust jackets. The jacket for this book is shown here.

This is a very collectible title but without the jacket it is only one of hundreds and hundreds of reprints that were published in this era.

A price guess would be $10-20.

Wyncote Series

Q:  Good evening! Just hoping to get some information on this edition. A Child's Garden of Verses. No date. 137 pages, 4 color plates, many black and white (looks like) block illustrions. There's a lot of screwiness out there on amazon and ebay etc. I just trying to be exacting. Thank you in advance for your time.

A:  Your book is part of the Wyncote Series. It originally has a dust jacket.

This series of reprints was first published in 1927 and reprinted until 1933.

Wyncote Series

Q:  Each Christmas as I get this book out (A Christmas Carol) I try to find some information about it. My guess is it is from 1910 because of the illustrations but I am not sure. If I missed any information on your site, I apologize. Sometimes all that information is overwhelming to someone not used to working through all of the headings. I send this with the hope that you can tell me more about this book.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,

A:  Your book can be found here: Wyncote Series. It was published in 1927.

The books of this series have a number of possible small symbols on the lower right of the cover.

Here is a picture of the dust jacket that originally went with your book.

Young Folks Puzzle Pictures' Series

Q:  I was wondering if you could help me? I have Animal Tales with Puzzle Pictures. I have attached pictures of this magnificent book. Could you tell me which edition this might be and its value?

A:  Your book is part of the Young Folks Puzzle Pictures' Series. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series199.htm.

There are five books in this series with the Tale of Peter Rabbit with Puzzle Pictures and the Night Before Christmas with Puzzle Pictures being the most desired and therefore the most valuable.

Each book in this series had three different formats (editions). Your book is a second format edition. The first edition books have a full cover paste-on picture and the writing on the spine goes from bottom to the top.

It is always hard to know what a book might sell for. Because your book is in poor shape and does not have a dust jacket, would think it only has nominal value.