Henry Altemus

Series 180 Vademecum Series

haltemus — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:00:06 +0000

This publisher’s series was published from 1894 to 1926. The books it contains are all reprints. The cover design changed every year two. Initially all the books came in labeled boxes.
By 1917 when this book was printed the Vademecum Series books were published with dust jackets.

Here is an example. Note that the interior of the jackets has a list of Altemus’ juvenile series books. Listed in the ads is Grace Harlowe’s Golden Summer which was published in 1917. Of note is that the dust jacket is made from brown uncoated paper. This is exceptional since as a general rule after 1915 all Altemus dust jackets have coated paper.

Series 57 Boys and Girls’ Classics (new)

haltemus — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:00:23 +0000

This 15 volume series of children’s stories was published between 1908 and 1926. The books are frequently stated to be part of the Young People’s Library because the title pages note “Young People’s Library” at the top. Altemus used the plates of the latter series for this set of books. These books however are part of their own series in which the volumes had linen covers.

Another frequent error occurs when dating these books. Note on the title page that the copyright 1898 by Henry Altemus is shown. This is the Altemus copyright which is not the same as the publication date.

The books had a number of different cover pictures. This one was used between 1908 and the early teens.

All of these books came in a labeled box. It is shown below.

For more details about this series see Boys and Girls’ Classics (new).

Question & Answer Series 180 Vademecum Series

haltemus — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:00:08 +0000

Q: Idylls of the King. Any help would be amazing. I can’t find any title page giving copyright or anything. Thank you!

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909-1912.

Originally it came in a red labeled box.

At one time there was a paste-on (appliqué) on the bottom middle of the front cover. You can see what this looked like on the site.

Your book is a reprint and unfortunately has no value.

Question & Answer Series 80 Eternal Life Series

haltemus — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:00:54 +0000

Q: I have 1896 Edition of The Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments by Dean Stanley

Can you give me some information and possible worth of this book. Thanks

A: Your book is part of the Eternal Life Series

It was published between 1896-1898. This book has only nominal value.

Series 180 Vademecum Series

haltemus — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:00:27 +0000

All of the Altemus publisher’s series’ books either had a dust jacket or came within a labeled box. In 1904 the books of the Vademecum Series have been seen with nine different cover colors. On the covers there are two appliqués (paste-ons) which on any one book has one of four flowers (Orchid, Queen Anne’s Lace, Iris or Natursium).

Here is a nice example of a boxed 1904 Vademecum book which has the Iris flower appliqué. Note that all of the boxed books had glassine covers.

Altemus Book Binding

haltemus — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 11:00:04 +0000

Here is an 1851 book bound by Altemus and Co.

Christmas Blossoms by Uncle Thomas. Published by E. H. Butler & Co. 1851

Although this book cover does not indicate Altemus as the binder as the other Christmas Blossoms’ books, there is little doubt that Altemus did the binding of this book. Note the vases on the 1848 and 1849 books. All the vases on all three vases are identical. These vases plus the fact that Altemus did the other two Christmas Blossoms’s books make it a certainty that Altemus bound this book.

1848

1849

1851

Series 202 Format 3 Young People’s Library

haltemus — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:00:53 +0000

Today I am adding a picture of the dust jacket for this Young People’s Library book. This is a 1913 book.

Question & Answer Series 143 Petit Trianon Series

haltemus — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:00:05 +0000

Q: Hello, I have an old Evangeline book and have no idea when it was published, I have searched your site and have not found it. I have attached some pictures. If you could let me know that would be great.

A: This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899.

It is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box.

In this shape it has no collector value.

Question & Answer Series 202 Young People’s Library

haltemus — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 11:00:06 +0000

Q: Hello ~ my father gifted me the copy of Black Beauty his father received December 25, 1914: the date is inside the cover along with his name. I have looked all through the book to try and identify the date it was printed to no avail. I’ve also gone through your website and did not find the cover so I was happy to see to I had the opportunity to take a picture and send it to you.

I appreciate any info you may be able to relay to me on our little piece of history!

A: Your book is pictured on the website. This book is part of the Young People’s Library. I cannot determine which format (2 or 3) it is part of by looking only at the cover. The different formats can easily be distinguished by the particular spine pattern.

The way to get more information about your book is to go here: http://henryaltemus.com/ypl/index.htm.
Click on the appropriate Format based on the spine design of your book.

Format 2 was published between 1898 and 1902 whereas Format 3 was published between 1903-1923.

Format 2

Format 3

Question & Answer Series 69 Classics Series

haltemus — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:00:49 +0000

Q: We have an old copy of Undine. Doesn’t seem to exactly fit any of your photos or descriptions. Small, green cloth cover. 5 1/2″ x 4 1/8″. Photo attached. Thanks in advance for any info.

A: This book is part of the Classics Series. It was published between 1907-1909 and originally came in a dust jacket.