Q: I have a copy of ‘Representative Men’ by Emerson, listed by you, as European Authors #172. It seems to me under category of covers from ‘sliced’ paintings of greenery and trees, but I do not see this particular picture. On the list I am referring to of publications of Henry Altemus Company 4-1/2 by 6-1-2 Altemus Illustrated Vademecum Series (also found in back of book) it is #173. Can you tell me the value, of if it is sought by any collectors.
The condition of the book is the cover is in good shape, some wear marks on the binding corners, page one has come loose. The rest of the book is in good shape.

A: Your book’s picture can be found at http://henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm. It is in picture #5. Because your book is a reprint of a title not eagerly sought, it has only nominal value.

Q: Hi, I was wondering if you could give me any information on the book THE FOOLISH FOX, 1904. I haven’t been able to find any information about this book with the green cover.

A: Your book is a second format book in the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series. It was published between 1904 and 1911. It originally came with a dust jacket which matched the cover.
See http://henryaltemus.com/wee_books/index.htm and http://henryaltemus.com/series/series185.htm.

Q: Hello! I have a copy of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (photos attached). I was both surprised and pleased to learn that this might be valuable. Can you give me any more information than is included on your website about this book and its value? I have learned so far that it is included in the Series 58 – Boys and Girls Classics (old). It seems to be Format 2, according to your website’s information.

A: You have identified the correct series. It is Format 4 however. It was published by Henry Altemus Company not Henry Altemus. (See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series58.htm).
Unfortunately I do not think it is a valuable book. Treasure Island was reprinted by hundreds of publishers in this era. Although many of the formats are quite nice (like yours), they have very little value on the collector’s market.

For an interesting look at many Robinson Crusoe reprints see http://larryvoyer.com/RobinsonCrusoe/crusoe%20pages/crusoe-main.htm

This book generally sells for between $0-10.

Pre-1900 Robinson Crusoe’s

There are three different Non-Series Robinson Crusoes that were published prior to 1900. All have Henry Altemus as their imprint.

In 1892 the first two were published.

1. (1892-1896) The first 1892 format is shown below. These large books (9.5 x 7.5) have “extra fine English cloth with Emblematic designs”. The books had numerous black and white line drawn pictures (120) by Walter Paget. The earlier books of this format had gold gilt lettering on the cover whereas the later books had silver gilt lettering. Original cost was $3.00.

Format 1

Format 1

Format 1

Format 1

2. In 1892 and 1893 a deluxe presentation edition was published. It was bound in Persian Levant Morocco with full gilt and gold edges. This book has not been seen. It was priced at $5.00.

3. In 1897 a third format of this title was published. Two different editions have been appreciated. The earlier one has the same black and white frontispiece as the Format 1 and Format 2 books. The later editions have a full color frontispiece and three other colored illustrations. Both of the Format 3 books have the 120 Walter Paget illustrations. This format was also bound with fine English cloth and gold gilt designs/lettering. These books were $3.00.

Format 3

Format 3

Format 3

Earlier Frontispiece

Later Frontispiece

Post-1900 Non-series Robinson Crusoe’s

Popular edition:

Early Popular Edition- 1915

Later Popular Edition- late 1920’s

The Little Men and Women Series Series is a group of 25 books that includes previously published juvenile stories combined into one series. This series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series125.htm) was published between 1907 and 1925. Certain books were added and deleted during the eighteen year history of the series.

Generally the ads in the book as well as on the dust jacket can be used to date the volumes. Today I am adding a new Galopoff the Talking Pony book to the data base. This book does not list the “Boy Geologist” in the listing of books for this series in the back ads of the book. It does list several 1909 juvenile series (Submarine Boys, Motor Boat Club Series and Pony Rider Boys Series). Since the “Boy Geologist” was added to the series in 1910, this makes this a 1909 book.

Q: I am from the Netherlands so please forgif me for mij writing.

I have a copy of the book: Gold Dust. Can you tell me please if this is a rare book? On the picture i include the collor is bleu but in real it is grey.

Thanks for your time,

A:Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Vademecum Series. This series of more than 100 books consisted of the reprints of various essays, poetry, fiction and classics. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm. All the books were originally published with labeled boxes.

This title only has nominal value.

The first two books of this series were published in 1912 while the third and fourth books were published in 1913. (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series20.htm). The brown uncoated dust jacket which is pictured here was only published in 1912 and is among the rarest of all Altemus dust jackets. The dust jackets of this series along with several other short series that were published in the 1912-1914 years (Range and Grange Hustlers and the Square Dollar Boys) are very scarce.

Format 1 Dust Jacket

Format 1 DJ Reverse

Q: Hello,
We recently found a bunch of old books from one of our relatives and in them was a copy of Robinson Crusoe published by Altemus that was given as a Christmas present in 1898. We would like some information on the book as to the real age, and approximate worth of the book for insurance purposes.

A: Hi. Your book is part of the Young People’s Library and was published between 1895 and 1898. If you look here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm you will find a flow chart that will allow you to date your book by studying the advertisements within it.

Generally since this is a reprint (albeit a nice one) it sells for between $10-20.

Q: Hello, I have an antique copy of the light of asia, and it says it was published by henry altemus in 1842 or so. Can i have some more information on the book, along with possible worth? Thanks so much!

A: It was not published in 1842. The 1842 refers to when the company was started by Joseph Altemus, Henry’s father. Henry was born in 1833 and probably did not do much work at the age of nine.

Your book was one of many reprints of this title that Altemus published between the early 1890’s and the teens. It is part of the Beauxarts Series. (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series47.htm)

Generally these publisher’s series reprints only have more than nominal value if they have a collectible title, like Alice in Wonderland for example.

Q: Greetings,
I have attached a photo of the front cover of “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” There are no ads in the back and only 6 books are listed behind the cover page. Could you confirm that this is a first edition and give me some idea as to its value. Thank you very much for your assistance.

A: Your book probably is an early Altemus edition but not the first Altemus edition. Altemus published its first edition in 1890. The true first edition was published in the 1600’s.

Your book is part of the Young People’s Library (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm). The exact date of publication can be determined by using the flowchart which is on the series page.

These reprints ordinarily sell for only a few dollars.