Q: Can you identify this book (The Wanderings of Joe and Little Em)?

A: This book is part of the Boys and Girls Booklovers Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series56.htm.

This series of 22 books consisted of children’s stories. Many, including this one, were first editions.

The books had dust jackets and were published in this series between 1905 and 1907.

The author of this book, Albert Bigelow Paine, was best known as a biographer of Mark Twain. (http://www.twainquotes.com/19370410.html)

Q: I have a very old copy of The Crucifixion of Philip Strong. Could you provide info from pictures I’m attaching? Do you have an idea what it is worth and potential buyer. The picture on the cover is a tree.

A: Your book can be found here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm

It is a reprint. It was published between 1909 and 1912. Without the original box, it only has nominal value.

During this year the applique (paste-on) on the front cover has been seen with numerous pictures.

Q: hello, i was on your website and because i was researching a book that i have. My aunt’s mother in law was a school teacher back in the early 1900s and she had a Peter Rabbit book from back when she was a teacher. I’ll send you a picture of it, any help figuring out what edition it is would be great!

A: Take a look here: http://henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

You can see your book pictured as a Second Edition (second format). The earlier second edition book has the same picture on the cover but is green. This book was first published between 1908 and 1912. It was reprinted until 1917 when the third Altemus edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published.

Q: I noticed you had someone else ask you a question about a Treasure Island book. I am hoping if I send you a picture of mine you could give me a little info on it. I cannot seem to find it. I have attached a picture of it.

A: Your book can be see here (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm) with the 1896 books.

It is part of the Vademecum series which is made up of various reprints of classics, poetry, essays, etc.

The 1896 books can be found with a number of different cover colors.

It has only nominal value.

Q: These are the pictures of the book, The Queen of the Air. Thanks for your reply. There is no date of listed anywhere of its publication.

A: Your book is an 1899 publication. It is part of the Vademecum Series. This series consisted of numerous reprints of essays, fiction, poetry, etc.

The covers of the 1899 books have been seen in a number of different colors.

See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm

There are four non-series Altemus formats for this title. These books were published between 1890 and the early 1900’s. All the books are 9.5 x 8.5 except for the post-1900 editions of Format 4. The books of each format have identical content and illustrations.

Format 1- True Altemus First Edition

True Altemus First Edition

This edition was published for a short time in 1890. In the earlier book in this format the back cover has an embossed picture which is identical to the front cover.

The First Edition has a later printing. In the later edition of this format the cover is the same but the pattern embossed on the back cover is decorative within which are the letters H and A.

First Edition- Second printing

Format 2- The Second Altemus Edition of Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. By late in1890 the second format was being published. Here is an ad from December, 1890 that shows this format’s cover.

This format has been seen in several different color covers. See examples below.

Second Format

The Second Format books have three variants. The earliest books have no mention of a Henry Altemus bindery on the lower left of the copyright page. The later books say Henry Altemus bookbinder on the lower left of the copyright page. The latest version of this format has a copyright date of 1891 not 1890 as in the previous two editions. It says Altemus Bookbindery on the bottom left of the copyright page.

Format 2- Earliest copyright page

Format 2- Later copyright page

Format 2- Latest edition copyright page

Format 3

Third Altemus Editions

Format 4

This format has been seen in two different editions. The first was published by Henry Altemus whereas the later edition was published by Henry Altemus Company. Thus the latter book was published in 1900 or later. This post-1900 book is slightly smaller than the earlier Format 4 book. It is 9.25 x 7.25 as opposed to 9.5 by 8.5.

Earlier Format 4 editions		Later Format 4 edition

This publisher’s series of reprints had numerous cover changes between 1894 and 1926. In 1901 the books had a gold gilt decorative pattern which surrounded a paste-on (applique). The cover has been seen in six different colors. The cover applique pictures any one of 43 European paintings or one of four of Alphonse Mucha’s Seasons from his Season Series.

Today I am adding to the data base the “Fall Season”. Now all four seasons are shown.

Fall

Summer

Spring

Winter

This publisher’s series of reprinted works of classics, fiction, essays, poetry, etc was published between 1894 and 1926. Most years had a unique cover. In 1900 a small floral arrangement adorned the cover. Although during this year the cover picture was unchanged, a number of different cover colors have been seen. Today I am adding the sixth different cover to the data base. (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm). This book’s dark green cover can be seen below with the other variant covers.

Q: Hi. I have acquired this book (The Blithedale Romance) and cannot seem to locate one like it via internet research. I am not a vintage book enthusiast so I may be overlooking some comprehensive internet resources that those of you who are involved in this field use routinely.

Mainly….I am trying to find information about rarity and value…..that is to say, I am trying to determine if this is something I want to save for my children….or post online someplace for hundreds of dollars….or put it in a Garage Sale for a buck.

The cover is embossed…or relief…or…well, don’t really know the terminology but the lines of the text and graphics on the cover are recessed like grooves.

Any information and/or advice you might have would be appreciated.

A: You can find your book with the other 1899 books here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm. It is part of the Vademecum Series which is a publisher’s series of reprints of classics, essays, fiction, poetry, etc.

Unfortunately it has only nominal value since it is not a title that is widely collected. That plus the fact that it is a reprint means it has no significant value.

Q: I have this book (Lalla Rookh). I have looked and looked. i eventually found your site but still have not been able to locate this. as far as i can tell it was published in 1895….mind you that this is the only date listed in the entire book. any info you could tell me would be much appreciated.

A: You can find your book here Vademecum Series with the 1895 published books. It is a reprint and has only nominal value.