Here is a new book (Mosses from an Old Manse) for the database. It is a Format 3 book. The books of this series can be dated rather easily by analyzing the ads in the back and following the dating directions on the series page (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series58.htm).

This book lists the In His Name Series to book #40 but the Wee Book for Wee Folks Series is not listed. Thus it is a 1903 book.

Q: I found this (John Ploughman’s Talk) in a box of books given to me recently. It’s priceless to me, since Spurgeon is one of my favorite authors. In other words, I don’t care so much about whether or not it has inherent value, but I would like to know a little about it. Best I can tell, it’s from the Devotional Series? 1896? The copyright date inside is 1896. Couldn’t find this cover (in particular) on the Devotional Series page, but is there anything else you can tell me about it?

A: Your book can be found here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series99.htm

It is not part of the Devotional Series but rather part of the Golden Treasury Series.

For the most part the cover changed yearly in this series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series141.htm).

In 1897 there were numerous decorative patterns on the right half of the front cover. The left half of the cover was the same in all of the 1897 books.

Here is a new cover design for the database for the 1897 books. With this cover there are now 12 different cover pictures in the database.

Here are two copies of A Shropshire Lad by A.E. Housman. Neither of these books fit into any known series. Both have the same dimensions (5.5 x 4.25) with identical interiors.

There are a couple of series that have a wreath on their covers. Those are the Worldly Wisdom Series (Series #195) and the Book of Love Series (Series #54). Neither of these series have A Shropshire Lad included in their book lists. This title is included in the Arcadia Series (Series #42). The books of the Arcadia Series are the same size as the books shown here. It is possible that variant covers of this series included the books shown here. This is purely speculation at this time. I believe both these books however are part of a series. But for now they belong to the unknown series section.

Q: Hello, I found your website while doing a search on the Henry Altemus book A Child’s Garden of Verses. I am not a collector so I don’t know much about the book. I can’t find a date on this. I have attached a few pictures. Can u tell me is this rare? How much it might be worth? and maybe what year it might be??
I appreciate any help you can give me.

A: Your book was published between 1899-1902. To pin it down better see Boys and Girls’ Classics Series 58

In poor shape it has no value.

In 1928-1929 a variant book cover was published. This book’s cover has a paste-on (applique) encompassing the entire front cover. The applique cover is basically the same as the dust jacket. I assume this book came with a dust jacket, but I have not seen an example yet. The books with this type of cover are quite scarce.

Variant Cover

Regular Cover

Dust Jacket

Two books have been seen in the format shown here, Fanchon and Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. It is unclear as to which series these books belong to but they certainly do belong to one. The book which has a soft leather binding, is easily dated however. The title page imprint is Henry Altemus not Henry Altemus Company. This indicates a pre-1900 printing. In addition the frontispiece is dated 1899. Thus there is no question that it is an 1899 book.

Now the issue is which series listed both titles and was published in 1899.

Here are the possibilities:
Series #48 Beauxarts Series-Later numbering
Series #130 Marqueterie Series
Series #143 Petit Trianon Series
Series #163 Sanspareil Series
Series #180 Vademecum Series-Later numbering

Of interest is that all of these series are “publisher’s series” and none list a soft leather edition in 1899.

Most likely this book came boxed (less likely with a dust jacket). The box or jacket will undoubtedly give the series name. Hopefully one will turn up sometime.

Here is a new picture for the data base (The Boy at School). Format 1a is the rarest of the various formats of this series.
There are now eight out of the ten books of this format pictured.

Q: I have a copy of “The Lays of Ancient Rome”, by T.B. Macaulay published by Henry Altemus Co. No copyright and no publication date. I have attached a copy of the cover (giant oak on path with red cover). From my search through your site I think I can determine that the publication date is 1903. Is that correct?
Thanks for your assistance.

A: You are right. It is part of the Vademecum Series (Series #180).
See http://henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm

Here is a new picture for this series. This book is a variant for Format #5. It originally came with a red canvas dust jacket.