Q: We have this book (The House of the Seven Gables) and as you can see, it is in very good condition. Published in 1892. No dust cover. Can you give us any information regarding its value?
A: Your book can be found here:
http://henryaltemus.com/series/series38.htm
It was published between 1913 and 1916.
The Altemus copyright refers to the first time Altemus published this title as a reprint in 1892.
It has only nominal value.
This two volume series published in 1890 and 1891 is extremely scarce. These two books were part of the first Altemus designated series.
Especially difficult to find are the two paperback books. They are exceedingly rare most likely because of low print runs and the fragile nature of a 120 year old book in wraps.
Here is book #1 in wraps. For more information about this scarce series see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series107.htm
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.
http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm
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.
Q: Can you please tell me something about this book (Courtship of Miles Standish)?
A: Your book can be found here with the 1907 books.
http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm
It is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This publisher’s series is made up of reprints of classics, poetry, fiction, etc.
This book originally came in a labeled box.
It only has nominal value.
Q: I have attached pictures of a book I have called “Jessica’s First Prayer and Jessica’s Mother” by Henry Altemus Company with no date of publication anywhere. Any info you have on it would be appreciated.
A: Your book can be found with the 1905-1906 books here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm
It originally came in a labeled box.
It is a reprint in the Petit Trianon publisher’s series.
It only has nominal value.
Q: We have a Henry Altemus Company book that we can’t find on your website. The book is The Vicar of Wakefield. The title page has “Philadelphia Henry Altemus Company” printed in red type. Can you tell us about its date of printing? Approximate value?
A: Your book can be found here: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series91.htm
It has only nominal value.
(Of note is that shortly after this reader’s question was answered she placed this book on Ebay with a minimum bid of $35.
Of course, barring a miracle it will sell at nowhere near this price. Predictably it received no bids.)
Q: Dear Expert: I have just found an old book, Black Beauty, and the publisher is Henry Altemus Company. I cannot find a publishing date and all pages appear to be intact with some damage to the cover and the binding. There is a notation on the front cover back of No. 49. Could you please enlighten me as to the date of publication. Should I spend money with a conservator to have it restored? My appreciation for your assistance in advance.
A: Your book can be found here with the 1903-1904 books. http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm
Most of the books of the publisher’s series are reprints and have only nominal value.
It would not be worth getting restored.
Q: Hi – Attached are some pictures of “Black Beauty” book I have. Based on your site, I believe it may have been printed prior to 1900 as it only shows “Henry Altemus” & not “Henry Altemus Publishing”. Is there a way to determine the exact date & possible worth of the book?
Thank you in advance for any insight/information.
A: Your book was published in 1898. It is part of the Vademecum Series.
You can see it here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm
As a general rule most of the reprints done by Altemus as part of this publisher’s series have only nominal value.
Q: Hello, I have attached a scan of the cover. I have tried to do some research on this version of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass but I have yet to come across this cover. It does say Henry Altemus Company on the inside so I can assume it is after 1900 but it looks different than the one published in the Little Men and Women Series #125. This book does not has a dust jacket and is in OK condition. I would really just like to learn a little more about this.
A: This version of Alice/Through was not part of a series.
You can see a copy with its jacket here http://henryaltemus.com/images/NS_3.jpg
This format is more uncommon than the Little Men and Women Series and the Young People’s Library (#202) Series Alice’s.
I believe it was published in the mid to late teens and then reprinted for a number of years thereafter.
Q: Hi. I’m curious to find out how much this book might be worth. Any information you could tell me would be greatly appreciated.
A: This book sells for between $25 and $125 as an average. Your book is not in the best shape so it probably would go on the low end of that range.
This format was published between 1889 and 1900.
This book is very common but people buy it frequently to sell the illustrations individually.
How successful that venture is would just be a guess.
For more about the series see: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series78.htm