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 have a book that I would like some help with. It seems that you know the most on this subject, so I will send you some pictures. It's “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” published in 1896 by Henry Altemus, Copyrighted in 1895. I can’t find a whole lot of information on it, but it has a handwritten ‘No. 71’ in the top right corner, so I think there’s at least 70 others running around somewhere, but I haven’t seen one yet. It was given to Dan B. Hoover by someone named Leila, Dec. 25th, 1896 according to what she wrote in it. Then ’Dan Hoover’ promptly stamped his name in the book.

A:  Your book was published in 1896 as part of the Vademecum Series. During this year the covers were published in a number of different colors. See series page for some examples.

The number 71 has no meaning to me. Probably just the book owner's notation. The book is a reprint and has little to no value (unfortunately).

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello - I came across this among the many books (some going back to the 1600s) in my father in laws house. Thought you could advise on if this was of value. Print date says 1895, front cover sheet is inscribed as a Xmas gift in 1899. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1898 and originally came within a labeled box. The 1898 books were seen with various cover colors.

All of the books in this series are reprints and thus unless the title is a special one and widely collected, the book has little value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  The only date (unfortunately) is in an inscription for 1898. There is also a small sticker in lower left corner of front cover that says supplied by W.F. Purnell, Sacramento.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series of reprints was published between 1894 and 1926. The cover design changed each year or so. Your book was published in 1897. This book has been seen in several different colors.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I own two Ralph Waldo Emerson Book of Essays which came in First Series and a Second Series. They have a green cover with a silver trimming around the cover and have a date written inside of them as if they were a gift to someone in 1895. I ws hoping that you could give me some more information regarding the books. What year were these books published? Also how much these books might be worth? I haven't been able to find these books online to compare too. Your help would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a few photos of the book for you to look at. thank you so much.

A:  Your books are part of the Vademecum Series and were published in 1894.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. During 1894 the books of this series had various cover colors.

Unfortunately because this title is not in great demand by collectors, these books will probably not sell for more than a few dollars.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of Henry Altemus Productions – Treasure Island… has the typical dedication to S.L.O. and American gentleman – but the cover is quite different from your website. Do you have any idea of the age of this book?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

During this year all of the cover basic decorative patterns are the same but many different color variations have been noted.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Can you give me any information about this book (Balzac's Shorter Stories)?

A:  It is a part of the Vademecum Series.

During this year the basic format of the cover was unchanged throughout the series but numerous different cover colors have been seen.

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  From you website this book was published in 1896. Its in great condition, how much do you think its worth. It's Scarlet Letter Second Edition and it does have the preface.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. See ../series/series179.htm

Altemus published this title in numerous formats. When it did, it reprinted the entire book including the early dated preface. Thus, almost every edition of this title that Altemus reprinted has the “second edition” preface from the original 1850?s book. It is actually not the second edition but rather it is a reprint of the second edition. It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I have a small blue "Poems" by Edgar Allan Poe book copyright 1895 by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia. Do you have any information regarding this book?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. See ../series/series179.htm. During this year this series' books came in a number of different colors. It originally was published with a labeled box. All the books in this series are reprints.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Can you tell me anything about this book? The title is The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was published by Henry Altemus in Philadelphia.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. It originally came in a labeled box. It is a reprint and only has nominal value. See ../series/series179.htm for more information.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Looking for any information on this book (The House of the Seven Gables). It was given to my son and he is very intrigued. Please email any information you can.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1896. Originally it came within a labeled box.

As with all of the books of this series, it is a reprint.

For more information see ../series/series179.htm