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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi! I've had this book (Tales from Shakspeare) for several years, and overlooked the year on one of the pages. I'm just trying to figure out its publishing date and more information about it.

After looking on your website, I'm sure the book was published before 1900. However, the website also says, "Do not think your book was published in the 1860s. It is wishful thinking." The only date I see in my book is 1842.

I've attached some pictures. Whatever you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. I've kept this book wrapped up in a hard box since I got it. I would like to put it on display, but would like a notecard with it with information.

Thank you for any help you can provide!

A:  Your book was published in 1896 as part of the Vademecum Series.

It is a reprint.

The 1842 in the title page design indicates when Joseph Altemus (Henry's father) started the publishing firm. It is not book specific.

Vademcum Series

Q:  Hello, I recently found this book Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow published by Henry Altemus and was hoping you could give me more info. I believe the year is 1897. I was also wondering how much it might be worth if anything.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. It originally was sold within a labeled box. See example here.

All of the titles in this long running publisher’s series were reprints. This volume only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Couldn’t find any comparable book...love the cover.
No date.
Would appreciate any help.

A:  Your book is from the Vademcum Series and was published in 1897. See: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series (early numbering) 179

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

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I just procured a book, which has the wording on the title page "Henry Altemus Philadelphia" of Essays, First Series of Ralph Waldo Emerson. There is no copyright date anywhere. Looks to be about 1900 or before; according to your website info on dating it was probably published before 1900 when the word "Company" was added on the title page to Henry Altemus--am I understanding this correctly? At the back, there is something that might help with dating. Under "Henry Altemus' Publications there is a section which has the heading "Altemus' New Illustrated Vademecum Series". (May I infer that, then, this book was published in 1894 or '95?) Below this, it says "Masterpieces of English and American Literature..." etc. Below this paragraph, it says "Full cloth, Ivory finish, ornamental inlaid sides and back, boxed, 40 cents." As per your suggestion, I enclose photos of the cover and title page.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898.
It originally came within a labeled box.
This title is a reprint.
See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  Could you please tell me what year this book was out on the shelfs and what the value might be?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. All of the titles in this series are reprints and originally came within a labeled box.

Your book only has nominal value.

The covers have been seen with various colors.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I hope you can help with the date of a recent Henry Altemus edition of the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. I've attached pics of the cover (2) & inside page. The copyright date page shows 1895 by Henry Altemus.
Any light you can throw on this will be appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This publisher’s series contained only reprinted titles.
Your book was published in 1896. During that year this was the cover pattern although different color covers have been seen. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Any information about this book would be appreciated. The Vicar of Wakefield

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1894. This publisher’s series of reprints generally had a different cover each year. This is the 1894 cover.

These books have been seen in a number of different colors. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  No date?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series changed the cover year by year. This cover was published in 1897 and was seen in numerous colors. See:Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series (early numbering) 179

It was originally sold within a labeled box. See here for an example.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this book I found in a house I bought. I don't seem to find it anywhere online. Can you tell me if this is something I should safeguard? Bacon's Essays

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. All of the titles in this series are reprints. This book which has a not very collectible title, has nominal value only.

Vademecum Series

Q:  To whom it may concern,
I have recently come across this book and was wondering what the price is. Please take a look and give me a price quote. Poems by Edgar Allen Poe

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It is a reprint and was published in 1895. During this year a number of different color covers were printed. Poe collectors may be interested at about $10 but probably not much more.