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 in my possession the book pictured below by Washington Irving, called "Knickerbocker's History of New York Complete". There is no date on the copyright page. Any information on this book will be appreciated. I am helping a friend to sell it.

A:  Your book was published in 1903-1904 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

The covers of this series changed every year or two. In 1903-1904 the Petit Trianon Series had the pedestal on the left side of the cover. This pedestal is either in blue, pink, beige or soft leather. On the right half of the cloth covers is one of 16 flowers. The beige colored covers are the most common.

See ../series/series143.htm

The books of this series are all reprints and consequently have very little value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I've attached a picture of the front cover and the title page of Black Rock - A Tale of the Selkirks by Ralph Connor. Published by Henry Altemus Co. of Philadelphia. The intro was by Prof. George Adam Smith L.L.D. Page following intro says Black Rock and offers a short description of the story with the initials of C.W.G. at the end.

There doesn't seem to be a copyright mark to distinguish the publication. Is this a first publication? 1898? As you can see, the front cover is not in pristine condition. Value?

Thanks for any info you may provide.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1905-1906. See: ../series/series143.htm

The book of this series are all reprints (no first editions) and originally came in a labeled box. Generally unless the title is a special one, the books do not sell for more than a few dollars (at best).

Your book is also in rather tough shape so I suspect it will be a hard sell.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of A Wonder Book Hawthorn small with no publishing or copyright dates. Can you tell me how old it is and if there is any value to it other then its cool!

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. During this year all the Petit Trianon Books had the same pedestal design on the left of the front cover (white, pink and blue have all been seen). On the right half of the cover one of 16 flower pictures were possible. For all the possibilities see ../series/series143.htm

This book only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of Black Beauty published by Henry Altemus Company. Unfortunately, someone ripped out the copyright page so I have no idea about the history of it. Attached is a picture of the front of the book. Thanks for your time.

A:  This book was published in 1901-1902. It is part of the Petit Trianon Series.

For more information see ../series/series143.htm

It is an interesting book because of its cover. The artwork was done by Alphonse Mucha who was a famous Czech painter. This painting is called Lady with a Rose. You may wonder where the rose is. Well, when the Altemus artists modified the picture, they replaced the rose with a book. Artistic license I suppose.

For more about Mucha and Altemus see ../artists/artists-Mucha.htm

Unfortunately in this shape it only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I cant seem to find information on the book "Rab and his Friends" with a Mucha painting likeness on the cover. I found it at a consignment shop for $5 but the cover's worn - inside pages are very clean.

Anyway, your site is only site I found with related info.... would someone know if they worth anything or should I just shelf it? a pic is attached.

A:  Nice book but unfortunately it has no real value. (less than $20)

It is part of the Petit Trianon Series (../series/series143.htm) and was published in 1901-1902.

For what it's worth it is one of six Mucha covers that Altemus "borrowed".

See ../artists/artists-Mucha.htm

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi: I was wondering if you could give me any information on publishing date, etc of Volume l & volume ll of Longfellow's Poems. Here are pictures of the books.

A:  Your book was published in 1905-1906 as part of the Petit Trianon Series (../series/series143.htm).

It is a reprint as are all of the books from this series.

Without the original box this volume only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  The attached photos are of a book I have: Longfellow's Poems Vol. II. I've had this book for a long time, but don't know where I got it. It has three black & white pictures (art) on slick or photo type paper. Can you tell when it was published and if it has any value...no, I'm not trying to sell it, I keep books like this!

A:  When Altemus published this title, it reprinted the book in its entirety-including the earlier dated preface.

Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series (../series/series143.htm) and was published in 1901-1902.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you please tell me a little about my Grandmothers Book (Uncle Tom's Cabin)? I have attached photos. Do you know around what it may be worth? Thank you,

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. This series consists of reprints of essays, poetry, fiction, etc.

Each year or two the covers were changed. During 1903-1904 there were three possible left sided colors (beige, pink or blue) and sixteen possible flowers on the right.

See ../series/series143.htm

Unfortunately in this condition it has no value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I recently aquired the book The Scarlet Letter. It appears to be dated 1899 the cover is different than the ones you have listed can you tell me more of this book. There is no illustrations or pictures and says Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This publisher's series of reprints changed its cover on a yearly basis. (../series/series143.htm).

Your book's cover was published in 1901-1902. During these years the lady on the left can be found with any one of sixteen flower pictures on the right.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I purchased this book at a thrift store and I am just curious to know a publishing date and whatever other info I could possibly find out about it. If you could help me out that would be fantastic. It is The Sketch Book by Washington Irving.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. This series is comprised of titles which are reprints of fiction, poetry, the classics, essays, etc. See: ../series/series143.htm.

All the books from this year originally came in a labeled box.

The pedestal on the left of the cover is characteristic of all the books in this series published in 1903-1904. The left side has been seen in pink, blue and beige. There is also a suede variant. Any one of sixteen different flower pictures is a possibility on the right half of the cover.