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 was given an old book (The Lady of the Lake) and I wondered what you could tell me about its age.

A:  You can find your book here with the 1904 books.

Series 180

It is part of the Vademecum publisher's series which is comprised of reprints.

The flowers seen on the cover are on of four possible flower pictures found in the 1904 books.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a book of The Scarlet Letter. Written by: Nathaniel Hawthorne and published by Henry Altemus Company. On the first page it has the preface. Below the word preface it says "To the second edition". After the preface introduction there is a date (SALEM, March 30, 1850). Attached is a picture of the front of the book. I am just curious if this book is worth anything. I know it was bought on October 9, 1903. The person who bought it wrote the date on the back page and why she bought it. The measurements of the book are: 6 1/2 inches x 1 inch x 4 1/2 inches if that helps any. I have looked for many hours online trying to find a book with the same cover. Please help me.

A:  Information on your book can be found here: Vademecum Series and at Series 180

It was published in 1903. Altemus published this title in numerous formats. When it did, it reprinted the entire book including the early dated preface.

Thus, every edition of this book that Altemus reprinted has the "second edition" preface from the original 1850's book.

It has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I received this book from my grandmother upon her death. I think it is the Vademecum series. The binding is in poor shape, and the last two pages of the book, one is torn and one is loose. There are no dates printed on any page.

If possible, I would like to know the book's print date and if it is of any monetary value. It is a darling book and is of high sentimental value to me.

A:  It is a 1907 book. See Series 180

It is part of the Vademecum Series which was a Altemus series of reprints. The covers changed yearly.

It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am wondering if this is a first edition and its approximate value. Thank you so much for your time.

Weird Tales by Edgar Allen Poe
Illustrated
Henry Altemus Company
Copyright 1895 by Henry Altemus
258 pages Excellent condition (It looks as if the book was never read)

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series which is a series of reprints. Your book is not a first edition. Altemus published no Poe first editions. This book was published in 1903. During this year the cover came in a number of colors with one of more than 40 illustrations.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I purchased this book today, "Ten Nights in a Bar Room". Attached is a picture of the cover. I was wondering if I wasted my money? Could you tell me when it was published? On the third page, a hand written note is as follows: "Presented to Mr. Oliver Hill by his schoolmates in the Miltore Center Schools Oct. 15, 1901" Thank you for any info you have.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. It was published in 1900. See Series 180 Anything more than a few dollars and you spent too much.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have recently received a book apparently put out by the Henry Altemus Company and am dying to know more of the details of the book but have yet to find any information of the book anywhere. I have read and reread the story of one of our greatest hero's this nation has ever seen. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the book title and in the book there has been placed an old stamp of sorts for an old Sunday school saying this book was given to a student in 1904. I would like to know as much information about the publication of this book by the company as possible. Is there any way you can help, as it would be much appreciated. Thank you very much for your time and a very happy holiday to you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. There are multiple different cover formats for this series. Your book is a 1904 edition.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this book and want any info you can share with me. What is the value of this book? Condition is excellent. There is a red box that this book was in with a little wear and tear consisting of scuff marks.

A:  Your book can be found at Series 180. It is part of the Vademecum Series which is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. It is a 1915 edition. Value is anywhere between zero and $25 (with the box) depending on which buyers see it. By the way, without the box it generally has very little value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi there,
I have an old copy of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Tanglewood Tales published by your company. I wonder if you could give me any information about this edition.
Thanks,

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

It is one of a myriad of Altemus reprints of this title.

It has only nominal value.

See Series 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I would like to confirm the date of publishing of this book. It's a curious read. I've enjoyed the artwork that was used on these books pictures on your site but have not come across this one yet. Thank you for any information you can share.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1907. For several years Altemus incorporated European paintings onto their covers. I have seen 42 different as of this date. Your picture is the far left of picture #8 and the far right of #2.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi I found this book The Chimes by Charles Dickens at a yard sale and I have been trying to find out its age and if it is a 1st edition and have found nothing, so I decided to go another route, through the publisher which has led me to the expert, you. So I guess the question is what can you tell me about my book?

A:  Your book is a late reprint. The first edition was published in the 1840's. Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1915.

Altemus published no first editions of Charles Dickens. Altemus published books for reading for the first time in 1889 which was nineteen years after Dickens died.

See: Series 180