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.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hi I found a copy of this book while going through out books. It was printed in 1892 and is in fairly good condition for its age. I was wondering if you could give me a approximate value. I am local so if need be I could bring the book to you. Attached are some photos of the book. Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Beauxarts Series. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

In 1898 there were several cover variants. See here.

This title is not very collectible and the book is not in very good shape. It has little or no monetary value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Worth of 1895 copy of Oliver Wendel Holmes Poems. Good condition. (Disregard stamp.) Thanks.

A:  This book was published in 1897 as part of the Beauxarts Series. It is a reprint of a not very collectible title and thus has only nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, I was wondering if you could provide me with more info on this copy of Treasure Island. Thank you for your time.

A:  Your book was published in 1897 as part of the Beauxarts Series.

The 1897 books in this series were published with a number of different color covers. See here.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I have attached photos of the book "Thoughts of the Emperor published by Henry Altemus". There are many of these around, however, I can’t seem to find another one with a cover like this one. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1897. This is a very commonly found format.

Each of the years the Beauxarts Series was published, the cover format was changed. During 1897 this format was printed in a number of different colors. Some are shown here.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. This book only has nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Was wondering info on this book and how much it might be worth Now days? (Weird Tales by Edgar Allan Poe)

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1898.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

A Poe collector may give you a few dollars. Otherwise this reprint will be hard to sell.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I am trying to figure out the date this book by Robert Louis Stevenson was published. The title is "Treasure Island" and the authors name is spelled Stephenson instead of Stevenson. It is small, about 6 1/4" tall. The cover is green predominately with gilt on the flowery designs. I think it may be about 1886, but am not sure.

A:  This book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1898.

It is a reprint as are all of the titles in this series. During this year this cover was published in several different colors. Some examples are shown here.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I have attached an image of the book that I have in my possession published by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia. The bookplate from the original owner has the date of 1898 in it, and I have been unable to see another copy with this binding. I was wondering if you could give me anymore information on it. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1898.

It is a reprint as are all the books in this series. It only has nominal value.

The books of this series were published in a number of color combinations during this year.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, I am trying to locate the value of this book. It is in excellent condition. Since it wasn't dated I was able to find that information on your website. Which was very helpful. I haven't been able to find its value. Can you help me?

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series.

It was published in 1898. Several different color patterns have been seen. They are shown on the series page.

All of the titles within this series are reprints and have little value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, The name of this book is Coming to Christ. I am enclosing a picture. Please tell me the age and the value of this book.

A:  This book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1897. This is one of many Altemus publisher's series of reprints.

Each year the cover was changed to enhance sales since the decorative cover was as important as the subject material. This book only has nominal value.

This cover has been seen in a number of colors.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  My mother in law and I found this Black Beauty. We see no date except on the decorative inside but you explained that is not an accurate date to go on because they were included in reprints but saw the art worked dated it to 1897. We are unsure how to see if this is a reprint and not even sure any value would be out on it do to the damage on the wrong. I was hoping you could help explain this to us. Thank you so much for your time.

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series. This publisher's series is comprised only of reprints. This cover pattern was published in a number of colors in 1897. It originally came within a labeled box.

Black Beauty was reprinted numerous times by different firms in this era. Most of the reprints have little value.

The 1842 date in the pattern on the title page indicates when Altemus and Company began their bookbinding business. It has nothing to do with this particular book and its publication date.