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 researching a lot of old books and came across this one (Black Beauty). Most books that I have are from the 1800's and early 1900's. This book doesn't have a copyright page. So I have no idea what year it is from. Can you help me identify it? I am looking to sell these books and would really appreciate any info.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1902. All the titles in this multivolume, multi author series are reprints. The picture on the cover is one of more than 40 European paintings that were used as cover decorations. See ../vademecum.htm

This book only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi There, This book was a gift to my great grandmother by a friend. My grandmother had it among her things when she passed. I'm wondering if you have information on it, as I couldn't find any photo's that were the same as this one. I'm sure it was probably given to her in the late 1800's or very early 1900's. I'm also wondering if it has some value? Thanks for your time!

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Vademecum Series. This 1899 format has been seen with numerous cover colors and originally was sold within a labeled box.

All of the titles in this series are reprints so the books of this series have only nominal value unless the title is a valued one. Unfortunately this is not the case with Bryant's Poems. It will be a hard sell at any price.

Vademecum Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book- Ethics of the Dust. There is no marking of Henry Altemus on the bottom front cover. There is a dedication page to "The Real Little Houswives, whose gentle listening and thoughtful questioning enabled the writer to write this book. It is dedicated with love, Christmas 1875"

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

During this year this format was seen with a number of different cover colors. I have seen eight different covers so far.

All of the books in this series are reprints. Since your book is not a very collectible title, it has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Could you please help me find the publication date of this book (The Courtship of Miles Standish). I am curious. It is one of my most favorite possessions.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was printed in 1905-1906 and is a reprint. Your book is not a very desired title and thus has little value.

Originally it was published within a labeled box. See a representative box below.

This format has been seen with several cover colors. Four different flowers have been seen on the covers of these books. This book has the orchid. Other flowers are shown on the series page.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Found a copy of paradise lost. how much is it worth?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published between 1909-1912. It originally came within a red labeled box. (See representative picture below.) In this year's format numerous cover pictures have been seen.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Having a difficult time identifying this book (Christmas Carol), can you help?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in the 1917-1919 time frame. This publisher's series published only reprints, none of which have any significant value. It originally had a dust jacket.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi attached are three photo's of a set of two books that I have. I tried to find them on your website but was unsuccessful. Can you help? They appear to be green leather with possible gold leaf or gilting in the design. There is no publish date inside the books. Sorry about the quality, it was a phone.

A:  The book cover you sent is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1905-1906. It originally came in a labeled box.

As you can see from the site, this year's books were published with a number of different cover colors and with one of four flower pictures.

All of the books in this series are reprints and few have more than nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Found this book at a thrift store, I can’t find any date. Do you have any information about it? Mulvaney Stories

A:  Your book was published between 1909 and 1912. It originally came within a labeled box. It is part of the Vademecum Series.

This book is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Please inform me re: date of publishing and any other interesting particulars. Thank you. The Courtship of Miles Standish

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1915. Originally this book came within a labeled box. It is a reprint as are all of the books in this series. It has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I see that this book (The Cricket on the Hearth) is a reprint. The book says copyright 1899 but the web site says 1901. I found this book in an antique shop and picked it up for 12.00. The pages seem to be loose and one of the pages were taped back in. I was wondering if you might be able to tell me what the value of this book is. Thank you for your time.

A:  This book is part of Series 180 Vademecum Series. It was published in 1901. As you noted, it is a reprint and as such it has very little value. Altemus published this title in hundreds of formats and since the title is not a "special" one, there is very little demand for it.

I think you would be lucky to sell it for more than a couple of dollars.