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 am trying to find out a bit more about this book, The Scarlet Letter. It must have been printed in 1899 as the copyright says 1899 and the inscription is dated New Years 1900. Any info you can provide would be lovely!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1899.
It originally came within a labeled box.

It is a reprint with nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I bought this book and would love to know when it was published. (Hyperion) Thank you for any information.

A:  Your book was published as part of the Vademecum Series in 1902.

The painting on the front cover is one of more than forty that were used by Altemus for this format. See: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series / European Artists

It originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

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

It has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I picked up this copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin at a book sale. I'm just kind of wondering what year it was printed. It says Stowe died in 1898 in the “about the author” foreword, so I know it was printed after that, but is there any way you could identify it for me? It's pretty fun just having this in my hands.

A:  Your book was published in 1907 as part of the Vademecum Series.

It is a reprint which originally came within a labeled box. It has nominal value.

For more on the appliqué on the cover see: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series / European Artists

Here is an example of the box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I found this book (Holmes' Poems) year ago in an antique store, I can't find any publishing date and was wondering if you could enlighten me! Also, I would like to know it's value if possible.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1899.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

This book has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Please help with this book.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1899. It originally came within a labeled box.

See: Vademecum Series (later numbering) Series 180

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

It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I was wondering if you might be able to tell me the year this book (Black Beauty) was printed and if it has value (so that I know if I should take special care of it--was in the family so won't be sold).
Thank you in advance!

A:  Your book was published between 1909 and 1912 as part of the Vademecum Series. See: Vademecum Series (later numbering) Series 180

All of the titles in this series are reprints. Your book has nominal value.

During these years the books originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I purchased this book (Hyperion) about 30 years ago in Monterey, Ca. I would appreciate any additional information about it. Thank you for your website and all the valuable information.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901.

It originally came within a labeled box.

It is a reprint and has nominal value.

The applique picture on the cover is one of more than 40 that have been seen. In most instances several pictures can be combined to form a larger illustration. For more information see: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series / European Artists

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am having a difficult time finding much information about this book (A Wonder Book). Is it rare? Regardless of its rarity, it is a lovely old book!
Thanks in advance for any information you can give.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published 1909-1912.

It originally came within a labeled box. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi. I looked on your website, and was unable to determine the date of this book. Would appreciate your help in determining the date and value.

The pages that say "Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia", and "James Russell Lowell Poems Philadelphia Henry Altemus Company" are separated from the binding, and are somewhat glossy. In other words, they are not the same type of paper in the rest of the book. It's approx. 6 3/8"L by 4 3/8" W by 15/16" thick.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1903. It is a reprint with nominal value.

The books of this year were seen with various color covers surrounding a European painting appliqué.

These volumes originally sold with labeled boxed. An example is here.

For more information see: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series/European Artists

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello! I found a copy of House of the Seven Gables in my basement, and am in need of a little bit more information on it. I don't need the value or anything, just enough information to get the ball rolling on a research paper.
Thank you!

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909 and 1912.

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

It originally was sold within a labeled box. Example is here.