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 not able to find this addition on your site (Longfellow's Poems). How much does Vol.2 sell for? I would like to complete the set. Thank you.

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

The appliqué picture is #9 on this page: ../vademecum.htm

You can find the series list here: ../series/series180.htm

This edition can be seen in the 1907 books in the picture section.

You may have difficulty finding the exact title in this format. If you find it, it should not cost more than $10.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. I’m 13 years old. When working at an estate sale this summer, I bought a book. This book was titled “Bryant’s Poems” The cover of this book looks like the 1909 book “crown of wild olive” with a different paste-on picture. When I brought the book home, I saw that on the inside cover, there were two names, one in pencil and one in pen. The first one was in pencil, and it read “Mary E. Beck. 1892” the other read “A. Marie (something in tight cursive that I couldn’t read), 1965. I researched this book on the Henry Altemus Company webpage because it read “Philadelphia, Henry Altemus Publishing Company” on the second page, but found that they didn’t have any information on any of William Cullen Bryant’s books from 1892 that I could find. The inside cover or any pages after offer any help in identifying anything about this book. If you have any information on this series and could tell me when it was written and possibly how much it’s worth, (though I have no intention of selling it.) I would be very grateful. Thank you for your help!

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909-1912. It originally came in a labeled red box.

The 1892 date does not signify when the book was published but has some other meaning. Perhaps someone's birthday.

Your book was quite popular in these years and was reprinted by many companies, including Altemus.

Because it is not a widely collectible title and because it is not in great shape, it has nominal value only.

For more information see ../series/series180.htm

A picture of a red box is shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I have a Cricket on the Hearth book by Charles Dickens. I was wondering if you would be able to tell me more about this book. I know it’s the 1899 edition from Henry Altemus Company. But I’m wondering how I could find out how rare it is or how much it might be worth. I’ve been trying to do some research and can’t seem to find a book with the same exact cover as this one anywhere online. Any help would be very much appreciated!

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

The appliqué is listed as #35 on this page: ../vademecum.htm. More than 40 paste-ons have been seen with this book cover. It originally was sold within a labeled box.

Although a nice book, it has limited value since it is a reprint and is not widely collected.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I picked this book (The Lays of Ancient Rome) up at a garage sale recently. It is in really nice condition. The binding is strong, pages are clean with no writing, rips, fraying or wear. The cover is a bit faded but not worn. I was wondering the age of the book. What series is it from? Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. All of the books in this series are reprints.

It was published in 1900 and originally came within a labeled box.

This cover has been seen with a number of different colors. Some examples are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently came into possession of an old book entitled Heroes and Hero Worship by Thomas Carlyle. It doesn't have a copyright date and is in pretty poor shape as I don't think it was well taken care of. Could you please enlighten me as to when it may have been published?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in the 1909-1912 timeframe. All of the titles within this series are reprints.

It originally came in a labeled box. A representative box is shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this book (In Memoriam) and wondered if you could tell me it's worth. It has a name written in it and 1907. Attached are 2 pictures. It is in very good shape.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1903.

During this year the cover has been seen in a number of different colors and over 40 appliqués have been noted. It was published within a labeled box. A sample is shown here.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. This title is not widely collected or desired and thus it has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Dear Expert, I found Black Beauty at a garage sale and its always been one of my favorites. But this one has no copyright date. I know it's a reprint by Henry Altemus Co. Philadelphia and I believe it's from the Vademecum series but my eyes are starting to cross from so much info. The front cover has a tear but the picture looks like grass or wheat. I sure could use your help in drawing. Thank you.

A:  You are right about your book. It is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901.

Here is the entire picture. For more info: ../vademecum.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. I have attached several pics of John Milton's 'Paradise Regained/Samson Agonistes.' Was this edition copyrighted in 1899 by Henry Altemus as shown on one of the pages or later? Also how many copies of this combined book were put into circulation? And last what is the value? Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. A number of different color covers were published. (See series page.)

I do not know how many of these were published but this title is very common.

In perfect shape this Altemus format is a tough sell. In average or poor shape it has little or no value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a book, "Treasure Island" that I was hoping you could tell me about; worth, dated printed, etc. There is no page with this information on it. I have attached a photo of the book.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900.

The covers in this year were published in a number of colors. See series page.

It originally came within a labeled box. All the books in this series, including yours, are reprints. In average condition it will be hard to sell for more than a couple of dollars.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of Black Beauty from your publishing company. I am curious as to its age and value. I believe it may have belonged to my father who was born in 1921 or maybe it was handed down to him by a parent. It is in good condition and doesn't smell. One of the pictures has come apart from the binding, but it is not lost. Thank you for any information you can give me.

A:  Your book was published in 1903 as part of the Vademecum Series. It originally came in a labeled box. It is a reprint.

Although this is a popular title, there are countless numbers of these reprints floating around. So your book has only nominal value.

During this year, the books in this series have been seen with a number of different cover colors. More than 40 different cover appliqués have been noted. Generally the painting on the cover is only part of a larger picture. Various sections of a painting appeared on the book covers.

See this page for more information: ../vademecum.htm