In the last post I noted a book with an incorrect description. The same seller also posted this book with a different but equally wrong description.

Here it is with his somewhat defensive response:

Ebay description
US $267.50 Buy It Now
ORIGINAL 1918 NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, RARE DJ: ALTEMUS!

(The pictures shown here are identical to the ones displayed in his Ebay ad but for clarity I am using my pictures.)

ORIGINAL 1918 NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, RARE DJ: ALTEMUS!

NO OTHERS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE With the Original FIRST EDITION DUST JACKET!!

I pointed out to the seller a couple of things. First that the first edition book cover had red lettering until 1920.

Next that the blue endpapers were not started until 1923.

Also that the rear of the dust jacket picture he showed had the title I Don’t Want to go to Bed listed. This title was not published until 1923. Thus obviously not a first edition dust jacket.

So he has a 1923 book.

His response was: “First edition, not claimed to be FIRST PRINTING…it’s how I do it. Please do your thing, and I’ll do mine.”

Clearly this is not a first edition by any standard except the seller’s. In addition the price is WAY out of line. As always- BUYER BEWARE!

False description of Alice in Wonderland book on Ebay

I received two questions about a particular book up for auction on Ebay. The price was going through the roof but the description of the book was totally inaccurate.

Regarding Alice in Wonderland 1897 ‘rare’ edition

That is the sale I am interested in, and rather relieved to hear you say that it is not all it is cracked up to be. I’m just beginning my foray into antique books, having purchased a few as gifts for friends and such, I’ve become quite fond of collectors items. You mentioned certain statements in the description that were inaccurate, and I was curious as to what these are. I am tremendously interested in eventually getting my hands on a copy of Alice in Wonderland but, as you have pointed out, there are a lot of people out there willing to pay far too much, and I’d rather learn it before burning 2-3 times the value of the book. Any information you can proivde is deeply appreciated.

I became the highest bidder and came across ur review on a site with a reference to your email to explain further some incorrections in the description? please elaborate for me as i do not want any ill bidding or buyers remorse and would appreciate your expertise.

First. Since Henry Altemus incorporated in 1900 to become Henry Altemus Company, any book with the imprint Henry Altemus Company has to be published in 1900 or later. You will see on one of the pictures that this is the case.

The copyright of this book comes from an 1897 edition that Altemus did publish. Altemus published this title in a myriad of formats-most all were actually published prior to this edition.

Go to my website-henryaltemus.com and put Alice in the index to see all of the many formats.

This book is part of either Series #64 or #200 (they are the same series except for a name change).
See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series200.htm and http://henryaltemus.com/series/series64.htm.

These books were published between 1912 and 1920.

This book is not the “rare” Altemus first edition although I have to say that even if it were, it would not command this type of money.

The first Altemus editions actually were published in 1895. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm

This book (or one just like it) had been on Ebay for several years. The description at that time was very similar to this description. Whether this is the same seller or someone just using that description is unclear to me.

I certainly do not know everything but I have studied Altemus and its books for many years and maintain the website about Altemus.
I wrote an article last year about the Altemus “Alices” for the Lewis Carroll newsletter.

This is a nice book but its description is incorrect. In my opinion it is not worth near the present bid price. But I guess if a buyer pays this kind of money, it is worth the price to him/her.

Q: Can you tell me what the publication date is on this book (The Biglow Papers)?
Any information would be appreciated
Thanks,

A: Your book was published in 1903 as part of Series 180 Vademecum Series.
During this year Altemus used more than 40 possible pictures on the front cover.

See http://henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm for more information.

Q: My mother sent you the below image of a book we found recently in our basement. It belonged to my late Grandfather and we were just curious to see if you could help us determine if it has any substantial worth, or if it is just a neat collectors item. I will attach the images again for clarity. The info I have from the book is that it is titled Balzac’s Short Stories. Published in Philadelphia – 1895. Any info helps, thanks for your time.

A: Your book is part of the Series 47 Beauxarts Series. This series of reprints is not rare and most of the titles (including yours) have only nominal value.
For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series47.htm.

Q: Is this an original for Altemus publishing (The Children’s Shakespeare)?

A: No. Your book is part of the three volume series- Golden Books of Childhood. It was published in 1916. It is a large book measured at 8.75 x 6.75.
This title was published earlier by Altemus in 1900 in the Dainty Series http://henryaltemus.com/series/series74.htm in a very different appearing format.