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:  Hello! We are hoping to verify authenticity of this book (Carmen), and perhaps it's value. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

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

The picture on the cover was painted by Alphonse Mucha as part of his four painting Seasons Series. It is entitled Summer.

This book usually sells in the range of $0-25.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a wonderful old book (Walden) and would like to know if you can tell me about it. I don’t even know when it was published. Thank you in advance for any information you may have.

A:  Your book can be found here with the 1904 books. ../series/series180.htm

It is part of the Vademecum Series which was a long running series of reprints. Four different paste-on flower patterns have been noted in your book's format.

This book originally came in a labeled box.

Since it is a reprint of a not very popular title, it has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I am hoping you can help me date a book. My grandmother is moving and as we were packing came across a few books we didn't want to put in with the estate sale. I found a post and you were discussing the same book (The House of the Seven Gables), however, the cover appears to be different than the one described. I am attaching two photos. One of the cover, and the other of the inside of the book with the publisher info. There is not a copyright date in this book. Any information would be appreciated as this is a "family treasure" we would like to preserve for our future generations.

A:  Your book can be found with the 1904 Vademecum Series books here: ../series/series180.htm

During this year there were four different flower patterns used. They can be seen in the picture section of the site noted above.

In terms of value, because of its average shape and it being a not very collectible title, it only has sentimental value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi I have a copy of Thoreau's Walden published in 1899 by Altemus publishing...

I couldn't figure out what series this book was from.

I am thinking about selling this book, and was wondering if I am in possession of a rare or valuable book?

A:  Your book can be found here ../series/series180.htm with the 1902 volumes.

It is part of the Vademecum Series.

It is neither rare nor valuable.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Dear Sir, I am hoping you can help me with a Henry Altemus Company edition of Abbe Constantin. There is no publication date inside the book and I am trying to get an idea of the age and value of the book and if you could supply the date it would be a help. A photo is attached.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It is a reprint and thus has only nominal value.

It was published in 1907.

See: ../vademecum.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  Good Afternoon, I would like to know what the publication date is for this volume of The Courtship of Miles Standish And Other Poems – Illustrated. Thank you for your assistance.

A:  Your book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901. The picture pasted on the front cover is one of more than forty that was used by Altemus with this cover design. See ../vademecum.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have the book "The Merchant of Venice" published by Henry Altemus Company. No dates are give in the book and all the pages are intact. I've enclosed pictures. Do you have information on the publication date and if it is one of the Shakespeare series?

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

See: ../series/series180.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of the Scarlet Letter published by the Henry Altemus Publishing Company and My late Uncle thought it was published about 1850. It is in very good shape. Thanks

A:  Actually your book was published in 1904. The early date is on the preface which Altemus reprinted.

See: ../series/series180.htm

When Altemus reprinted the classics, it frequently reprinted the entire text including the preface. Thus, it is easy to confuse the date of publication with the date on the preface.

It has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of “The Lays of Ancient Rome”, by T.B. Macaulay published by Henry Altemus Co. No copyright and no publication date. I have attached a copy of the cover (giant oak on path with red cover). From my search through your site I think I can determine that the publication date is 1903. Is that correct? Thanks for your assistance.

A:  You are right. It is part of the Vademecum Series (Series #180).

See ../vademecum.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  I was wondering if you can give me any info on this book, the title is “Poems” the author is Oliver W. Holmes and the publisher is Henry Altemus Philadelphia Copyright 1895

A:  It is part of the Vademecum Series. See ../series/series180.htm for info on your book.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.