Q: Greetings, was wondering if you could give me any details on A Wonder Book by Hawthorne from 1895, and how much I should sell it for? Thanks!

A: Your book can be found here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm.

It is part of the Vademecum Series of reprints. In 1895 the books of this series were seen in a number of different colors.

You should take whatever you can get since it is a book of very limited interest to collectors.

Q: Can you please tell me a little about my Grandmothers Book (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)? I have attached photos. Do you know around what it may be worth?
Thank you,

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. This series consists of reprints of essays, poetry, fiction, etc.

Each year or two the covers were changed. During 1903-1904 there were three possible left sided colors (beige, pink or blue) and sixteen possible flowers on the right.

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

Unfortunately in this condition it has no value.

This is the only postcard I have seen with the Altemus and Co. imprint. It is dated November 17, 1892 and relates to a bill. This is a very unusual and scarce item.

Q: I have a copy of Gold Dust by Henry Altemus. the book measures 4 1/2″ X 6 1/4″ with what appears to be cloth covered. I will send pics of the cover and the first few pages inside. On the page of copyright it reads: “Copyrighted by Henry Altemus, of Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania, A.D.1897, in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Year of Independence of the United States of America.” Below that at the bottom of the page it reads : “Henry Altemus Manufacturer Philadelphia”. On the opposite page it reads: “To E.B.H. This little book is most lovingly dedicated”. On the inside cover it has hand written “christmas 1899 from Drarish”.
What can you tell me about this book, is it common or rare, what’s it value???

A: Your book is part of the Devotional Series. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series75.htm Each year or two the covers of the Devotional Series were changed. The books are quite common and are all reprints.

Your book only has nominal value.

Q: I just want to know about how much this book might be worth (William the Conqueror). I found it in my parents attic …. Looking at the website I believe it is the later 1900 edition … Thanks in advance for trying to answer my question.

A: Most of the books of the Young People’s Library are quite common and and not widely collected. For this reason without a dust jacket this book has only nominal value. For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/ypl/index.htm

Q: Hi, Trying to do some research to determine the value of my book. Just says Henry Altemus so I’m assuming it is pre 1900. “Copyright by Henry Altemus 1896”. Am I correct in assuming this is also publication date? Thank you so much for your help. I was so delighted to find your site.

A: Your book can be found here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series110.htm

Although the Altemus copyright of this book is pre-1900, it was published in the early 1900’s. Note that it says Henry Altemus Company at the bottom of the title page. Altemus incorporated in 1900.

Unfortunately most of the titles from this series of reprints are not widely collected and when they sell, it is for just a few dollars.

Series #120 Library of Standard Authors includes nine books of the same format. Two Prescott Holmes books, Battles of the War for Independence and Battles of the War for the Union are #8 and #9 in this series. These two books also make up a discrete series of their own.

On the last page of text of the Battles of the War for Independence it says that the Battles of the War for the Union forms the second volume of Altemus’ Historical Series. (See below). Which series takes precedence is unclear. I suspect the original dust jacket which came with these books would clarify this point.

Later Altemus reprints of the Battles of War for Independence also have the reference to the Historical Series on the last page of text. The Historical Series however only applied to the 1897 publications in this format.

There is no mention of this series in any catalogue or any advertisement that I have seen.

Q: I have attached a photo of a book – Allegories of the Heart – that was presented to my Grandfather in 1903. Can you tell me the approximate publication date?

A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1902.

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

This series of reprints generally changed covers every year or two. During 1902 there were a number of different possible cover colors. In addition there were more than forty paintings seen within the front cover design.

Today I am adding a picture of the second Altemus Edition of this title which was written by Katharine St. Hill.

The first edition was published in 1893 and the title page says Henry Altemus 1893. It is 7 x 5. The later editions are smaller (6.5 x 4.5) and have Henry Altemus Company on the title page. These books were published after 1900.

1893 First American edition. 7 x 5

Second Edition (post-1900). 6.5 x 4.5

Third Edition (post-1900). 6.5 x 4.5

The elegant books of this series were published in several different formats. The extra fine English cloth books which have beautiful emblematic designs in gilt on the covers are the most common. The full morocco covers are not commonly found. The cloth books were originally $6.00 while the full Morocco covers were $7.00.

Today I am adding to the database two Morocco covers- Paradise Lost and Dante’s Inferno. If the reader is uncertain how to distinguish the book covers, notice that the Morocco books have a pebbling on the cover whereas the cloth books with the same basic cover design do not.

Morocco cover

Morocco cover

Fine English cloth