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.

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  Dear Sir/Ma’am,
My husband gave me a book he got from an estate sale titled “The Dore Bible Gallery” illustrated by Gustave Dore. It is signed as a gift from Uncle Ed Christmas 1888 and on the title page it has:
Philadelphia
Henry Altemus
507, 509, 511 and 513 Cherry Street

I would guess that it was published in 1887 but if you have any more information that would be helpful, it would be greatly appreciated.

I will insert the pictures for you to reference.

The book is 9.5 x 12 and has the same imprint as shown on format 1 #1 but it’s color is doesn’t match these. It is the same color as the second book on the third row (the grayer light blue) It’s also dated by the gift giver as 1888 but the text says they are published 1889 and later. Any input?

A:  See Dore's Masterpieces for information on your book.

These books were published in numerous colors. The colors shown on the website are the ones I have but are not all of the possible colors.

Books were frequently released for sale around Christmas time. The 1889 books would have been for sale starting in December, 1888. So the inscription makes sense.

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  I believe my book (Milton's Paradise Lost) is Format 2 #2. Can you tell me if I am correct? How many copies were published? Do you know the value? I would be interested in any information you can provide.

A:  Your book is definitely part of the six volume Dore's Masterpieces Series.

The difference between Format 1 and Format 2 is that the Format 1 books were printed with plain cloth whereas the Format 2 books were printed with full Morocco. The latter books are much more elegant. Note the difference between the two. My Morocco book is on the right.

Having said that, most buyers are seemingly only interested in the Dore illustrations and the cover quality usually is lost on these purchasers.

In nice shape this book generally sells for $50-200.

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  I have the following book to sell, but I'm not sure if Ebay is the place to do so, and I don't know what the value of the book is. Here is the information:

Dante's Inferno
Altemus' Edition
Illustrated (75 w/blank back side) by Gustave Dore, some dated 1860
A Gore Masterpiece
Edited by Henry C. Walsh
Translated by Henry Francis Cary
No date indicated any place in the book
Size 9" x 12"
Published: "Altemus Edition" -- Cherry Street addresses
Has inserts of both one-page and fold-out advertising flyers - original with $3 and $6 prices The spine is loose, but the pages are in perfect condition, though slightly off-white.

Any pricing information is helpful. Thanks.

A:  This book is part of the six volume Dore's Masterpieces Series and is a very collectible volume. The numerous Gustave Dore illustrations make this book very desirable. It originally came in a box or thick red canvas dust jacket.

Although these books are very common they still generally sell for $25-100. Occasionally more if the condition is excellent. Unfortunately your book is in very rough shape and probably will sell at the lower end.

The flyers for this series are very nice. Some can be seen at ../flyers/flyer-S78.htm.

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  Hello!! I was at a flea market today and picked up a copy of The Dore Bible Gallery. The book caught my eye due to a number of things I had learned in passing from my grandfather, who was an antiquarian bookseller. After some web surfing, I came upon your page and was surprised at what I discovered regarding this book.

The picture of the book can be found on your page here:

The advertising flyer, shown at this link, is still in the book:

I am contacting you in hopes you can help me with some information. Is there a way to determine the exact printing date? There is no date on the cover, or even the preface. How many copies were printed in the various years? Is the inclusion of the flyer that was normally distributed with the book, influence the value, or help in determining when it was printed? Was this volume originally boxed?

Any other tips, clues or information regarding this book you could provide or give me advice about, would be very very appreciated.

A:  The book you have did originally come within a box. It was printed between 1889-1900. There is nothing that distinguishes an earlier book from a later book.

I do not have print number runs. But none of the Dore books are especially hard to find. Although I believe that all of the Dore books had an advertising flyer within the book, I cannot prove it.

There is quite a range in prices for this book. The flyer has no effect although I would think it should.

This title sells for between $25-75 in most instances. I frequently see asking prices of $200-300 but these books seldom (if ever) sell. Occasionally I see the individual prints for sale in a book that has been parted out. I have never seen an individual print from the book sell for much at all.

If I can be of any other help, please let me know.

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  Hello! At a charity auction I acquired a copy of an Altemus Paradise Lost book.

Inside the book is an inscription which reads: "To my dear niece Gertrude, from Aunt May. Christmas 1888"

However, I think this may not be authentic, as it appears the book would not have been published until mid-1889. Out of curiosity, do you know if it would have been possible to have the book prior to 1889?

I've attached pictures of the book for reference!

A:  In most years the next year's edition would come out at Xmas before the new year. So for example a book which is a first edition with the date on the title page may still have an inscription of December of the year before.

Dore's Masterpieces Series

Q:  My book (Dante's Purgatory and Paradise) looks identical to your picture that I added below. Do you know how much it may be worth? As you had mentioned on your website, the book has no publishing date. The binding has not been well maintained but the pages look good other than some browning around the edges. Thank you very much for your help.

A:  This book usually sells between $25-100 when it is auctioned on Ebay.

More information can be found at Dore's Masterpieces Series.

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  Hi. I'm curious to find out how much this book might be worth. Any information you could tell me would be greatly appreciated.

A:  This book sells for between $25 and $125 as an average. Your book is not in the best shape so it probably would go on the low end of that range.

This format was published between 1889 and 1900.

This book is very common but people buy it frequently to sell the illustrations individually.

How successful that venture is would just be a guess.

For more about the series see: Dore's Masterpieces

Esperance Series

Q:  I am trying to get more info on a copy of Rip Van Winkle that I have. Your site is an incredible resource and I think I know where the book came from but any help would be appreciated. It is a soft suede like green cover which seems to match the Petit Trianon series 3rd numbering, format 2 but it could also be format 5. Title page says
Philadelphia
Henry Altemus Company

I have attached a copy of the cover below. Any info regarding the books series, year or rarity would be a help to me.

A:  Your book is actually part of the Esperance Series and was published between 1905-1909.
See: Henry Altemus Co - Esperance Series 79

It originally had a little ribbon on the cover and was sold within a labeled box.

Esperance Series

Q:  Hello, I picked up this book years ago and was trying to research it. I came across your excellent website but couldn’t find information about this particular type of binding, which is brushed suede or leather. The title is "The Beauty of a Life of Service" by Rev. Phillips Brooks. The copyright date is 1896. The book binding has come apart, so it probably has no value in this condition.
Any information would be appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Esperance Series and was published between 1905-1909.

See: Henry Altemus Co - Esperance Series 79

It originally came within a labeled box.

Esperance Series

Q:  Hello, I have been searching for the published year and value for this Altemus book, Self Reliance.

The only date in the book is referenced 'Copyright 1896' Approximately 4” x 6” embossed suede cover, worn cover edges as seen in the picture, spine intact, all pages intact, no handwriting, stains or other issues.

A:  Your book is part of the Esperance Series and was published between 1905 and 1909. It originally had a ribbon on the cover and came in a labeled box.
It has nominal value.
See http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series79.htm