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:  Hello, I have a copy of The Last Letters of Elia but cannot find a publication date. Can you please help? There are covers and it looks lick blue roses intertwined on the front cover.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897.

This publisher's series consisted only of reprinted titles. Generally the covers are distinctive and indicate what year the book was published in. Your cover is an 1897 cover. It was printed in a number of different colors. A few examples are shown on the series page.

It was originally sold in a labeled box. An example is here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I can only send a picture of the cover with difficulty, if you might have patience...I have a small ochre book entitled Poe's Poems, published by Henry Altemus out of Philadelphia, 1895, with illustrative engravings. It has gold stripes and gold floral wreath & decorative flowers on the cover. Do you have any knowledge of this book? thank you!

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

It is a reprint.

Vademecum Series

Q:  This book has 1896 inscribed inside to Bradley from Aunt Mary. I am hoping to find out more about this book, when it was published etc. It is a copy of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

Appreciate any help you can provide in gaining more information about this book.

A:  Your book is part of the long running (1894-1926) Vademecum Series. This publisher's series of reprints generally had a different cover during each year of publication (up until the 1908 and later era).

Your book was published in 1896 and originally was sold within a labeled box. Several cover colors have been seen.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have the book, Emerson's Essay's. The cover reads Emerson's Essays the spine adds First Series and the title page reads Essays By Ralph Waldo Emerson First Series Philadelphia Henry Altemus 1894.

I can't find any info on the web, can you tell me what it is worth and any other info about it?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1894 and is a reprint.

During this year the cover has been seen in various colors.

In great condition this book is hard to sell. In poor condition, it has no collector value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I don’t know if it’s of any interest, but this tome resides in my home library: Black Beauty, Henry Altemus Publishing, 4”x6” format, B&W drawings, 254 numbered pages. Yet another undated version?

A:  This book was published originally in a labeled box (a box is shown here) in 1897. All the books of the Vademecum Series (like this one) are reprints.

During 1897 this cover format was published with several different colors.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi! My grandmother just gave me this book (Black Beauty by Anna Sewell) and I was wondering if you could tell me when this book was published. It has an inscription inside that says 1903 so I know it is at least that old. I'm sorry I don't know what the dust jacket looked like, my grandmother didn't have it. Thank you so much!!

A:  It is part of the Vademecum Series.

It was published in 1898 and came within a labeled box. All of the books in this series are reprints. In 1898 there were numerous color covers with the same underlying format. See here for some examples.

Vademecum Series

Q:  The Sketch Book Washington Irving
I cannot find any copyright, printing or date within the book. I'm hoping that you can help me date it. approx size is: 6.50 x 4.50 inches
Thank you

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. This publisher's series included only reprints of books of fiction, essays, poetry, etc. Your book was published in 1898. During that year the books were sold within a labeled box. There was only one cover format but it has been seen in a number of different colors. Some are shown on the series page.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. I've enjoyed the time I've spent reading different sections of your website. Had no idea the best story behind my purchase today would not be the novel or the author but the bookbinder/publisher! The only cover photo I could find in your gallery of this title was found in the #37 series. I've learned elsewhere that it was published a year after the rights became public domain but wondered if you could offer some more information on this particular edition given its cover and publishing date? Uncle Tom's Cabin

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1894. (Book #27)

It originally was published with a labeled box.

The Vademecum Series consists of numerous reprints of fiction, essays, poetry, etc by many different authors. During 1894 this particular cover was published in a number of different colors.

The website only shows representative copies of each format. Thus, not every title is shown with every format. Since some formats have more than 150 titles, to show each one would be nearly (if not) impossible.

Vademecum Series

Q:  To whom it may concern:
I am very interested in finding out more about this copy of Discourses of Epictetus. It seems to be a copy designed for women and I am wondering if it was part of a larger series. I have attached some pictures. The book is in very good condition.

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

It originally was published with a labeled box. This series is made up of reprints of various essays, poetry, fiction, etc.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I have a book of Phillips Brooks Addresses. I have attached photos. Would it be possible to give me a date range and approx. value for this little book?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. It originally came within a labeled box. It is a reprint. Since the title is not widely sought after, it only has nominal value.

As with most books in this series, the covers came in a variety of colors.