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 found this book in my Grandmother's trunk. Book: Line Upon Line.

I have not been able to find a date, just a series with author as unknown per you web site search. Thank you for your time in advance.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1903. During this year, the volumes in this series had one of more than 40 different appliqué pictures.

These books originally came within a labeled dust jacket. The covers were published with any one of a number of colors.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Old Christmas 1899. Excellent condition. Does it have any value?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It is a reprint and since this title is not in particular demand, it only has nominal value.

In 1900 this cover was seen with multiple colors. See here for some examples. These books were originally sold within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this book...Silas Marner...there is no copyright page or no indication who author is exceptionally on the binding....wondering if there is any value to it.

A:  This book is a reprint and part of the publisher's series: Vademecum Series

This cover was published in 1899. During this year, these books were printed with various color covers. (see here)

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I came across this book (Poems) and I am curious about its history. I can't seem to find a copyright in the book. Is it a rare book and do you know if it has any value? Thank you.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1902. All of the titles in this series are reprints and only very collectible ones have any value.

This book only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi there,
Would you be able to identify this book, please? I couldn’t find it in any edition on your web site. Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Kind regards

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1908.

It is a reprint as are all of the titles in this long running publisher's series.

It originally came within a labeled box. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Would like to know it’s value. Song of Hiawatha

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. This long running publisher's series consisted only of reprints. Each year or so the titles in the series were changed as was the cover format of the books.

Your book is from 1902. There were more than 40 different appliqué paintings that appeared on the cover that year.

Since it is a reprint and the title is not widely collected, your book only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Tom Brown's School Days. Approx. 4.25 x 6.25 inches. No publishing date is noted. Do you know when it was published? The frontispiece shows a sketch of four boys, one is lying on his face. Thanks for any help.

A:  This book was published in 1915 as part of the Vademecum Series.

During this year the books were sold within a labeled box. See here.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  How valuable is my book? Plain Tales From the Hills

A:  This book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1899. This publisher's Series consisted of reprints only. During this publication year the books were printed with various color covers. Some examples are shown here. Originally these volumes are boxed.

This title is not a very collectible one and therefore has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I received this very old book from a distant relative, it belonged to her Mother, I do believe this book is at least 100 years old. The lady that gave it to me is now 84, so I know it is old. The inside cover says Evangeline a Tale of Acadie and other Poems by Henry W Longfellow, Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia, the binding is loose, but all the pages are present., easy to read. Any idea on a date or value, it if is of value I may just sell it and give her the money, she could use it.

A:  This book was published in 1915 as part of the Vademecum Series. It is a reprint. Originally it was published within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

It has no value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I've found this book (J. Cole) & not finding it on your site. I would love to have more information on it, at least a date. I'd be grateful for any information you can give though.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

In 1900 his format was published in a number of different color covers. Some are shown here.