Q: Can you give me any information about this book (A Christmas Carol)? When published, etc.?
A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm) and was published between 1909 and 1912. This series consists of reprints of essays, fiction, classics, poetry, etc. Your book originally came in a red labeled box.
Since it is a late reprint, it only has nominal value.
Henry Altemus published the first edition of Florence Kingsley’s ” Stephen A Soldier of the Cross” in 1896. Two states of the first edition have been noted. The only distinguishing feature between the two states is found on the title page. In the first state underneath Kingsley’s name it says “Author of Titus: A Comrade of the Cross”. The second state only says “Author of Titus”. This change was effected by the end of 1896. The 1898 “Stephen’s” also only say “Author of Titus”.
The covers of these first editions are all the same except except for color changes which do not effect the priority of the books.
Later in 1898 a new cover design for this title was instituted and this book became part of the Illustrated popular Library.
http://henryaltemus.com/series/series109.htm
First Edition |
Title Page- First Edition First State |
Title Page- First Edition Second State |
1898 Title Page |
The Vademecum Series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm) was Altemus longest running publisher’s series. This series of reprints ran from 1894-1926. Generally each year or two the cover design changed. Today I am adding to the database a new color combination for the 1898 books. This is the eighth different one added. They are shown below.
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This series of six books all written by Hartwell James is quite collectible because the illustrations were drawn by John R. Neill. Neill illustrated quite a few Altemus books but is clearly famous for the illustrations he did for the early Oz books. The Enchanted Castle has 40 Neill drawings. The cover however appears to have been done by the Decorative Designer firm.
Each title in this series has a unique book cover (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series84.htm). The covers of any one title however can be found with different colors and gilt. This book is an example. The new book being added to the database today has gold gilt on the cover in places where the other book shown here has red ink. Other color differences can be seen. I believe that the “gold gilt” book is the older book based on Altemus patterns but I cannot be sure since the interior of the books are identical.
Q: I was given these a few years back when my grandfather passed away I was told they were his mothers, they seem to be in really good shape no tears in the bindings or pages what is it that I have here.
A: Your books are part of the Favorite Series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series87.htm).
They are somewhat uncommon and a nice set of “Alice” books. They are reprints but since they are in nice shape they would be desirable to Alice collectors.
The title page of these books say “Young People’s Library”. Several Altemus series used the Young People’s Library interiors with different covers. This is an example of that.