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:  Can you identify this book? Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow

A:  This book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1904. As with all of the titles in this series, it is a reprint.

In 1904 this cover was published in a number of colors. In addition four different appliqué flower pictures were used. It originally was sold within a labeled box. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  To whom it may concern,
I recently lost my Mother and found this Lucile in her belongings with a handwritten enscription of 1904. Any information would be so helpful.

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

All of the books in this series are reprints. In 1902 these volumes were published in a number of different colors with more than 40 appliqué pictures possible for the front cover.

Some examples are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Could you please tell me the age of this book (Uncle Tom's Cabin) and how much I would ask for it since I'm trying to sell it? Please let me know at your earliest convenience.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series (http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm) and was published between 1909 and 1912. It was originally sold within a red labeled box.

Although it is a well known title, this edition is a reprint and because of the huge number of reprints available, it only has nominal value.

Shown here is a sample box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a first series edition of Emerson's Essays that I bought a few years back. It's a beautiful book, and one of the most valued item I own to me. I want to find out the year it was published. As I said, it's a first edition, Altemus, and was published in Philadelphia, PA. Here are pictures of the book itself.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1899. It is a reprint-not a first edition.

By 1899 Altemus had published this title in numerous formats. Other publishers also printed this book in many different series prior to your book's publication.

Emerson died in 1882 and these Essays were published first in the 1840's.

It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  thank you :) tried searching but it didn't come up, but I am new to the site. thanks again

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1907.

All of the volumes of this series are reprints and in 1907 were sold within a labeled box (See here).

In 1907 the Vademecum Series' books were published in a number of different colors. More than 40 appliqué pictures have been noted on these books. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Dear Sir or Madam,
I am a volunteer at our local library who assists in determining the value of books donated to our library.

A book published by Henry Altemus "Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There" was donated to our library and I find I am in need of your assistance in determining the value of this book.

I believe it was published in 1899. There is no copyright date. I believe the book has the spine of one of your Format 1 books. I have been able to determine it is not a first edition as it does not meet the qualifications outlined on your website.

I have attached scanned copies of the cover, title page, spine, and the front end cover and front end page hoping you can aide me in dating and determining the value of this book.

I thank you in advance for your assistance and look forward to your response.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It originally came within a labeled box. During this year the titles in this series (all are reprints) were published with several different color covers. (See here).

This is a very desirable book. The Altemus reprints of this title with pictorial covers are much more valuable than the covers with generic designs.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Just interested in finding out what year my "the Pilgrims Progress" was published, and what it might be worth. Thank you.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1904. It originally came within a labeled box. (Sample shown here). All of the titles in this series are reprints. Your book has nominal value.

During this year the volumes of the Vademecum Series had one of four flower pattern illustrated on appliqués on the front cover. They are shown here.

I have seen these covers in several different colors. Some are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I found this book with my deceased grandfather's belongings. I have not been able to locate a date in the book and was wondering if you could help. Emerson's Essays, Second Series

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

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

It originally was sold within a box. A representative example is shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have inherited a copy of the "Hyperion" by Longfellow published by Altemus. I'm interested in finding out its value if any. Please take a look at the pictures I've included and contact me if you can help. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It is a reprint of a not very collectible title and therefore will be hard to sell.

During 1900 the covers of this format have been seen in numerous colors. Some are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Good Afternoon,
Would you be able to tell me the approximate publishing date of these Altemus Publications of Milton’s Paradise Lost? Paradise Regained?

A:  These book are part of the Vademecum Series and were published between 1909-1912.

They are reprints as are all of the book of this longstanding publisher's series. The books were published with numerous different appliqués on the cover. Originally, these books came within a labeled box which is shown here.