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.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a Scarlet Letter book by Altemus Publishing with jacket cover matching 1899-1900 picture you show. It is in good condition as cover is good w/ fraying on bottom right. Inside page has name to whom book was given (Ella M. Parsons) and the contents page up to page 12 describing The Custom-House are separated from the binding.

My question to you: Is there any value to this book?

A:  This book is from the Petit Trianon Series. It was published in 1897.

Originally it did not have a dust jacket but was sold within a labeled box.

This format has the stereotyped left front cover dot design. The right half of the cover has been seen with 14 different flower designs as of this date but more probably exist. Some are shown here.

Your book is a reprint and has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Thank you so much for be willing to share your time and expertise. It is much appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895-1896. It originally was published within a labeled box.

During these years the books of this series had a stereotyped left cover pattern and one of numerous designs on the right half of the cover. Some examples are shown here.

It is a reprint with nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you tell me about this book? A Wonder Book

A:  This book was published in 1897 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. It is a reprint which originally was sold within a labeled box.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

During this year the left half of the cover had the dot pattern whereas the right half of the cover had one of many different decorative patterns.

As of this time I have seen 15 different patterns. Some examples are shown here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Good evening...My father has a lot of old books and is not internet savvy so asked me(daughter) to look up more information on this "The Biography of Benjamin Franklin", which pages are beautiful in pristine condition but the outside looks worn a bit ;) The binding keeps all pages in but edges starting around inside of cover are starting to crack :( It says First Edition yet all info so far says its a reprint? Or Series of? I attached photos for view. Is this a reprint/series/any information will make him smile we're huge history buffs. And he has curiosity if with its conditions does a book like this still have value? Thank you so much for your time.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1897. During that year all of the titles in this series had the dot pattern on the left of the front cover. On the right was one of many decorative patterns. I have seen 14 different as of this time. Several are shown here. The book was originally sold within a labeled box.

All of the volumes in this series are reprints. A few very collectible titles have some value but most (including yours) really have only nominal value. In addition the cover of your book is in poor shape making it a hard sell regardless.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Attached are pictures of Spines and Covers we are unable to identify. Fanchon by George Sand

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895-1896.

All of the books in this series are reprints and except for several key titles, none have any significant value. The books originally were sold within a labled box.

During these two years the left half of the cover had the stereotyped acorn pattern while the right half had one of a number of decorative patterns. Twelve designs have been seen as of this time.

Some are shown here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Good morning. I have a book of poems by Edgar Allen Poe, copyright 1895. As you can see, it also has the inscription "Lara, From thy loving friend Anna 1896" inside. Can you tell me if this book is of any value?

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895-1896. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

During these two years, the books had a stereotypical acorn design on the left half of they cover and one of numerous decorative patterns on the right half of the cover.

I have seen twelve right sided decorative patterns (some are shown here) as of this time but I am quite certain that there are more. The book originally came within a labeled box.

Poe books are in demand but this is not one of the more attractive titles or formats. Guessing the value-less than $20.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi. I was wondering if you could give me some idea of about when this edition was published? Any other information you could give based on the picture would be appreciated as well. Twice Told Tales

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. It was published in 1895-1896. It originally was sold within a labeled box.

The cover of this format was published with a stereotypical acorn pattern on the left half of the cover and a decorative pattern on the right half. Presently I have seen twelve different decorative patterns (including this one). See more here.

This book is a reprint (as are all of the titles in this series) and has only nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I found this book (Lucile) in a box of books given to my children. I would like to know more about it like when it was actually published and how old the book really is and maybe if there is a value to it. If you could help me out with this I would greatly appreciate it. In one of the pictures I attached has a date of 1842 Philadelphia Henry Altemus and that is the only date in the book. I have googled this book in a variety of different ways and cannot seem to find one like it. In this book there is no series number or copyright page nothing.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1896.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

The 1842 date which is within the decorative pattern indicates the year the company was founded.

It has nominal value only.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  How old is this book please?

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895/1896. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

During these years the decorative pattern on the left side of the cover was unchanged. The right half of the cover has been seen with numerous designs.

Twelve different ones are noted on the webpage. This book originally came within a labeled box.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a 4"x6" book that appears to be old. I cannot find a date anywhere in the book. Can you tell me if it is an original or reprint? Picture of cover and inside attached.

A:  Your book was published in 1895-1896 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

This format was published with numerous decorative right sided cover patterns with the same acorn decoration on the left.

It originally was published within a labeled box.
It is a reprint and has only nominal value.