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.

Ever New Series

Q:  Can you help me with a copyright date for this book? Black Beauty

A:  Your books is part of the 16 volume Ever New Series and was published in 1915. The first Altemus publication of this title was in 1896 but it was published by other firms previously. All of the Altemus copies of this title are reprints.

The books of this series are identical to the same titles in the Young People’s Library except these books are a bit larger and have the decorative pattern at the base off the front cover. They are much scarcer also.

Here is the same title in the Young People’s Library -Format 3.

Ever New Books for Young People

Q:  I am attaching a picture of a book (Swiss Family Robinson) and I am trying to determine the publish date. Also if there is any info on the value. Thanks in advance.

A:  Your book is part of the Ever New Books for Young People Series. See ../series/series82.htm This 16 book series was published in 1915 and originally came with a dust jacket. Although this series' books look like books from the Young People's Library, they are slightly larger and have the little horizontal squiggle at the bottom of the cover.

These books are hard to find but scarcity has not helped their value. Without a dust jacket they seldom sell for more than $10-15.

Ever New Books for Young People

Q:  Good evening. I was curious as to how much a book like this is worth. It does not have a dust cover. It has slight wear but is in good shape.

A:  Your book is part of the Ever New Books for Young People Series.

It is one of the more uncommon Altemus Series. As you can see on the site, I still do not have most of the books in this series (because of their scarcity). These books are slightly different from the much more common Young People's Library books because they are slightly larger and they have the little squiggle design at the base of the front cover.

Even with this scarcity your book does not have much value ($5-15). A Black Beauty collector might pay more.

Fairmount Series

Q:  Hello, I'm quite stumped on when this is made (Discourses of Epictetus). I haven't seen any other leather titles that quite look like this on your website. I would really appreciate any knowledge you have. My best guess is the mid 1890s but I'm not sure. Thanks in advance.

A:  This book is part of the Fairmount Series. The titles in this series which were published in 1894 and 1895 were all reprints.

This half calf cover volume with gold vein paper sides is relatively uncommon. These books originally came within a labeled box.

Fairy Tale Series

Q:  I have this book (The Jeweled Sea by Hartwell James) it is in good condition and looks like your picture number 3. I was wondering if it is worth anything? Thank You.

A:  This book is part of the six volume Fairy Tale Series. All six books were written by Hartwell James and illustrated by John R. Neill. See ../series/series84.htm for more details.

These books are in demand primarily because of the Neill illustrations. Neill illustrated a number of the Wizard of Oz books and his work is very collectible. This series in dust jackets are especially uncommon.

Famous Red and White Book Series

Q:  This book (Scarlet Letter) has been in our family for years. I would love any information about this.

A:  Your book is part of the "Famous Red and White Book Series". These books are all reprints and were published in 1893-1894.
The preface of your book states "second edition". In actuality, the book is a reprint of the second edition.

Famous Red and White Books

Q:  Hi, I just bought this book at an auction. It was among a lot of books. Can you tell me anything about it?

I can send you other pictures if you need them.

Thanks,

A:  Your book is part of Series #85. See ../series/series85.htm

This was one of Altemus' early series. Despite its age, this book is fairly common and has only nominal value.

Favorite Series

Q:  Hello, I was wondering if you could give me information on this Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book. All the ones I've found similar have some color this one has no colored picture and seems to have not too much info on it. I've attached some pictures.

If you could give me some information that would be great.

Thank you for your time, much appreciated.

A:  Your book is from the Favorite Series, Format 2. See: Henry Altemus Company - Favorite Series for Young People Series 87

The date of your book can be determined by following the information in Series Note 5 on that page.

The cover is the same as the one used for this title in the Young People's Library, Format 3. Henry Altemus Company - Young People's Library Series 202

Favorite Series for Young People

Q:  Hello, I was cleaning out my bookshelf and found a copy of Altemus' Favorite Series Alice In Wonderland and was wondering if it held any value. I think it's a Format 1 #2 (via your ultra-informative website) and there is a light pencil inscription that reads "Glenn [S or G] Murphy, Christmas 1901" on the inside.

A:  Nice book. You are right. It is from the Favorite Series. It is much less common than the Young People's Library versions that sell reasonably well on Ebay.

If you are selling it, I think Ebay is a pretty good place and I would expect $25-50 but maybe more depending how you describe it. Dating it should be easy (1900-1901) if you look at the ads in the back and then the dating information on the web page: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series87.htm

In an informative blurb I would stress that it is from the Favorite Series and is fairly rare etc.

The books in this series did come with dust jackets but they are very hard to find.

Favorite Series

Q:  Dear Sirs; Looking to your website in identification of an Altemus book I recently uncovered in an attic box at an estate sale a copy of an Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It doesn't quite match the covers I've seen before for any of the formats of the young people's library formats. The copyright gives 1896 and it displays the binding style of format 1 but the cover I have not seen before. Book is in excellent shape, a solid piece. Found in the manner it was and my familiarity as a collector I cannot believe it is a reproduction or other. Can you please identify?

A:  Your book is part of the Favorite Series. It is a Format 1 style and was published in 1900-1901.

The text of the book is identical to the Young People's Library text and why Altemus published this (and many other) titles in multiple series simultaneously is unclear.

The books of this series all came with dust jackets initially.

Although not rare, the volumes of this series are much less commonly found than those in the Young People's Library.