Q: I have attached a picture of my book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in hopes you would be able to tell me what year it was published.
I appreciate any information you can give me.
A: Your book was published in 1904. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm
It is a reprint and originally came within a labeled box.
Q: I saw your description on your site referring to Gold Dust as not being published in the 1890’s. I beg to differ. I hold in my hand a copy of Gold Dust and inside it specifically says “Copyright 1897 by Henry Altemus”.
A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898. http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm
The reader is confusing the Altemus copyright date from the date of publication. But in addition we are not sure where she got the idea that we did not think this was published in the 1890’s. Perhaps she saw a mention of a later 20th century Altemus version of this title.
Q: I have ‘Fairy Tales’ by Hans Christian Andersen, Illustrated by Four Full Page Pictures in Color plus 100+ black and white illustrations with the Altemus ads in the back. The contents are complete with 224 plus 16 pages of ads. However I’m not sure whether there is a title and publisher page missing as the binding is loose with some sections unattached, but still held together with the tied binding. The cover is somewhat discolored, but still very bright including frontispiece.
I’ve attached pictures and would love any information you may have as to the value of the book.
Contents:
Preface
The Swineherd
The Old House
The Story of a Mother
The Bell
The Red Shoes
The Shirt Collar
The Nightingale
The Leaping March
The Saucy Boy
The Ugly Duckling
The Darning Needle
The Emperor’s New Suit
The Storks
The Daisy
The Steadfast Tin Soldier
The Angel
Thumbelina
The Flax
The Real Princess
The Shepherdess and the Sweep
The Flying Trunk
The Little Match Girl
Thanks
A: Your book is part of the Boys and Girl’s Classics Series. For information about this series see: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series57.htm
This book only has nominal value.
Q: Hi, I am trying to figure out what time period this book (Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin) is from, when it was published and any information you can tell me about it. Here is a copy of the cover. Thank you.
A: Your book is part of the World’s Classics Series (#196) http://henryaltemus.com/series/series196.htm
These books were first published in 1912 and reprinted until 1916. Red, brown and green suede covers have been seen. Originally they came within a labeled box.
Q: I recently came upon this book that belonged to my grandparents. The Princess and Maud by Tennyson it was published in 1895 by your company. It has some water damage along the bottom and is cover is gently used. Can you tell me if this book has any value?
A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm
It is a reprint and only has nominal value.
A number of the books of the Young People’s Library in Format 1 had more than one cover illustration. This book title -Exploration and Adventure in Africa is an example. The cover shown here is an copy of the earliest cover. As was frequently the case, this book was published with several different color combinations being used on the front cover. Here is the third cover of this title I have seen. The previously noted covers are also shown.
New Cover |
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Q: Hello,
Recently I went in my attic to clean up and I came upon this old book titled “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland”. I looked in the book and it appears to be very old. Also a previous owner of the book wrote the date 1901 inside of one of the pages. I was wondering what the value is of this book? Also what was the publication date? I sent you a couple of pictures attached.
A: This book was published between 1899-1901 and was part of the Beauxarts Series. (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series48.htm)
It is a reprint and most of the books of this series have only nominal value. Occasionally however, since there are many “Alice” collectors out there this title may sell for $20-30.
This series generally changed its cover design/format every year or two. In the 1899-1900 books the decorative pattern on the left side of the cover is unchanged while the right side of the cover has any one of a number of designs. Here is another example of an 1899-1900 book. This is the 27th different cover shown in the data base.
Q: My friend was in an antique store and found this 1895 edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, published by Henry Altemus. It is priced at $150. The internet has conflicting prices and information. The book is in good condition. Would you mind letting me know if this price is reasonable or what your thoughts are. Thanks
A: $150 is high.
First you have to figure out which edition it is. Take a look here to determine when it was published between 1895-1898.
http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm
The true Altemus first is worth more than later copies.
The prices for this book as well as the later Young People’s Library reprints are hard to figure.
What I mean is that the later Alice’s in the Young People’s Library. ( See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F2.htm and
http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F3.htm frequently are promoted as earlier and rarer than they are and unknowing buyers will pay $50-100 for a copy.
This is despite the fact that not only are they buying a misdescribed book but they are buying a very, very common book.
Getting back to your book. The condition is not great so even if it is the 1895 edition, it is not worth the money. Maybe $50-75 if you just have to have it.
If not, you can be patient and pick up a better copy for $25-50.
Q: Dear Sirs:
I have an old publication of A Child’s Garden of Verses and I wish to know the date it was published. The book measures 4 1/4 by 6 1/4. The cover is blue, with a narrow picture of some old buildings, by, what appears to be a river. The title page is in red ink, with decorations of green. Below title is printed
PHILADELPHIA
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
There is no date in the book. In the back of the book is listed the books that were published by Henry Altemus Company, beginning with:
Abbe Constantin, The. Halevy.
The last book listed is:
Half-A-Dozen Housekeepers. By Kate Douglas
Please, I would like to know the printing date of this book. I know it is very old by the yellowed pages. What I find strange is that there are NO DATES in the book, not even in the listings in the back of the book naming previous published books by that company.
I would greatly appreciate your help, and I thank you in advance!
A: Your book was published in 1907. It is part of the Vademecum Series.
It is a late reprint of this title.