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.

Yuletide Series

Q:  I found this book in a box that was in a barn that we were cleaning out can you tell me if it's worth anything. A Christmas Carol

A:  Your book is part of the eight title Yuletide Series. These limp velvet calf covered books are all reprints and were published in a labeled box between 1912 and 1918.

They generally sell for between $10-20 in nice shape.

Yuletide Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book? A Christmas Carol

A:  This book is part of the Yuletide Series.

This series of eight titles all were published in limp velvet calf between 1912 and 1916.

All of the books originally came within a labeled box.

Yuletide Series

Q:  To Whom it may concern,

I have a very old Henry Altemus publication of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.
It was given to me by my 92 year old Mother. She received it from hers who was 101 when she died.
I don't think for a moment that the signature is authentic but I would like to know more about it. I have attached some photos of this book for you to peruse. I hope you may be able to shed some light on it's history.

A:  This book is part of the Yuletide Series which was published between 1912 and 1916. See ../series/series203.htm

The books of this series originally came within a labeled box. Since Dickens died in 1870 the signature, as you guessed, the signature is not authentic.
Generally this book sells between $10-25.

Yuletide Series

Q:  Dear Henry Altemus company,
I am in possession of a book (A Christmas Carol) that I am selling for my church, I was wondering what the value range is? I have attached a picture; any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book belongs to the eight volume Yuletide Series. ../series/series203.htm

This series of suede cover books can be found in green or red. Originally the books which were published between 1912 and 1916 came in a labeled box.

As is clear from the title, most of the books have a Christmas theme. They are relatively common and generally sell for about $10.

Since it is now the holiday season bidders may not be very logical and bid it up for more than it is worth. This is a great time to sell this book.

Non Series #112 Poor Boys' Chances

Q:  Hello, In my possession I have a first edition, first impression of the John Habberton book, Poor Boys' Chances. I’ve had it in my possession for 21 years, or all of my life. The book's binding is now in poor condition, but it still has great value to me. I wanted to find out more about the printing and number of copies published. Do you have this information? The site has a very small amount of info about it, but was still interesting. John Habberton is not credited on Wikipedia and other sites for writing this book, so I assumed it was published in very limited quantities. It has been a source of great inspiration to me. Thank you for any information you can offer.

A:  Below is the section on this book and its author. I hope you find it helpful.
Non Series #112 Poor Boys' Chances

Non Series #64 Grimm's Fairy Tales

Q:  I believe that this book was published in 1888 w/Grimm's Goblins. Inside are ten beautiful illustrations. There is an introduction by John Ruskin but no publication date, etc.

It is in excellent condition. Can you give me the estimated value of this book?

A:  Your book was published in 1918. Henry Altemus Co - Non Series #64

Without the dust jacket, even in nice condition, it is worth less than $20.

Shown here is the other 1918 format.

Saalfield Reprint

Q:  I also was wondering how can you tell it's a reprint, it just seems so old, would you know when it was reprinted, I can't find a year or date on the book anywhere. The Pony Rider Boys in New England. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dust jacket, I'll have to check, and if I do find the dust jacket how much is it valued. Thanks so much for your help. I'm clueless to how this works, just trying to learn. Thanks.

A:  Your book was published by Saalfield. That company did reprints of the earlier Altemus published editions. All the Saalfield reprints had dust jackets. This reprint was published in 1935 or later.

For more about the Saalfield reprints see http://henryaltemus.com/reprints/saalfield.html

Two Saalfield jackets have been seen for this series.

Altemus Bibles

Q:  Wondering if u have any info on date of this Bible...

A:  Henry Altemus published Bibles from the 1870’s to after 1900. Most of their Bibles were published between 1884 and 1896. Thereafter there are no advertisements or listings for Altemus volumes.

As of this time I have seen more than 60 covers. There are patterns where a particular cover is seen most often with certain internal features.

The website lists most of the combinations. http://henryaltemus.com/bibles/bibles.htm

This Bible was published in the 1894-1896 era and is listed as B11 on the website.

Non Series #64

Q:  Do you recognize this book/cover and could you possibly give me any info as to age, value, and edition? Grimm's Fairy Tales

A:  1922 edition. See Non Series #64 Grimm's Fairy Tales

In mediocre condition without the dust jacket this book is worth between $10 and $20.

Non Series

Q:  I recently purchased a copy of ‘With Fire and Sword’ that looks like the ‘5th edition’ picture you have at the henryaltemus.com website but does differ.

Here are the differences between my copy and the website copy:
1) Title page: the website version title is in all caps, mine: caps and lower case
2) Title page: website - “HENRY ALTEMUS”, mine: “HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY”
3) Opposite Title page: mine doesn’t have the pic
4) Spine: my version has the letters ‘Si lwi’ by the sword handle - could this be library markings?

2 questions:
1) Would you know the published year of the version I have?
2) Do you know why both ‘5th edition’ books are different?

A:  Your book is a later version than the one on the website. Altemus incorporated in 1900. Thus any book that has the imprint Henry Altemus Company was published in 1900 or later. The later version may not have originally had the frontispiece picture. I suppose someone could have also removed it.

The lettering on the spine was a later addition. By whom or for what purpose is anyone's guess.

Both books were from the Polish fifth edition. They are essentially the same except that your book was published a couple years later. I suspect your book was published in the 1900 to 1902 era. The exact date is impossible to know.

The earlier book is shown here.