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:  I have this old book what is the value attached pictures for your viewing. My Point of View

A:  This book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898.

As with all of the volumes in this series, it is a reprint. Since it is a title that has very little collector interest, its value is quite limited. I would think anything more than a few dollars would be a very fortunate sale.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have been stumped by a Henry Altemus book for several months now. I hate to admit defeat but I am now doing just that.

The Dimensions are 4 1 inches by 6 1/4 inches. No dust jacket or box. The cover is a dark blue material which is ribbed. Almost feels like a thin vinyl. In the center of the front cover is an oval shape where the ribbing is present. In the center of the oval shape it reads: The Sketch Book. Stemmed flowers (maybe pansies) fill in the rest of the cover. The stems near the bottom of the cover have leaves and three of the flowers extend into the bottom of the oval shape. The spine has the same pattern of flowers and in the center of the spine it reads "Irving". Near the top of the spine it reads "The Sketch Book". If there was a title page it is gone. The first page with any printing has a type of crest and in the center in red letters it reads "Idylls of the King. Alfred Lord Tennyson". At the bottom of the crest, set at an angle on each side it reads "Henry Altemus" on the left banner and "Philadelphia" on the right.

Two blank pages then the next page with printing contains a green scrolling around the sides of the page. In the center it reads "The Vicar of Wakefield Oliver Goldsmith" in red letters. At the bottom of the page it reads "Philadelphia" then below that Henry Altemus contained within a banner. The next pages contain an introduction with the date October 1877 and only the initials A.A. Then comes a table of contents listing 20 of Shakespears Plays which follow after a preface.
All lettering and design on the spine and cover was done in gold gilt.
The book ends with Othello and there are not any more pages following.
I would appreciate any information.

A:  Your book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. It originally came within a labeled box.

This is one of the more uncommon formats in this series. I have included in this entry a better picture of another title from this series here.

It is a reprint as are all of the titles in this series.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I've got a Copy of 'Tales From Shakespeare' by Lamb that doesn't fit the websites information. I would just like to know the actual publication date.

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

It is clearly shown on the website at http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm.

The titles in this series are all reprints and originally were sold within a labeled box. Other color covers have been seen. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. I have a book titled Natural Law in the Spiritual World. I don't know the date of this book, or which edition it is. Would you happen to know? Also, do you know the value of a book like this? Please see attached pictures, and thank you so much for any information you may be able to provide.

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

This title is a reprint as are all of the titles in this series. It has nominal value only.

Vademecum Series

Q:  When was this book published?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This cover format was published in 1897.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. In 1897 the cover had a stereotypical design but the volumes were published in numerous different colors. Some are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  This is an 1895 printing of “Idylls of the King.” On the inside front cover, someone has written their name and the year 1896. Can you tell me what this is worth?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1895.

All of the books in this series are reprints.

Since this is not a very collectible title and because it is in poor shape, it will be hard to sell at any price.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have attached scans of the cover and copyright pages of three books. Any help you can give me regarding the value and/or authenticity of these books would be greatly appreciated. Please advise. Uncle Tom's Cabin

A:  This book was published in 1894 as part of the Vademecum Series. This long running publisher's series included only titles that are reprints. During 1894 the first 27 titles were published in a series that eventually would have more than 100 titles.

In 1894 this cloth cover was published in a number of different colors. Some are shown here.

Your book has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  While cleaning out my mothers home we came upon this edition of Black Beauty. Any info you can provide would be so helpful. Thank you. It is inscribed with no desk jacket.

A:  This book was published in 1896 as part of the Vademecum Series. All of the titles in this series are reprints and your volume is one of numerous reprints of this title published in the 1890's. It originally came within a labeled box. It has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Twice Told Tales
What is the worth of this book? Good Condition.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898. During that year this cover was seen in a number of different colors. See here for some examples.

As with all of the titles in this series it is a reprint. Since your book does not have an exceptionably sought after title, it only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. I was inquiring on a publishing date for a copy of The Essays of Lord Bacon.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1895.

As with all of the titles in this series, it is a reprint. Originally it was sold within a labeled box.

In 1895 these books were published with a number of different color covers.