Monthly Archives: December 2011

Question & Answer Series 179 Vademecum Series

Q: Greetings, I have come across an old book and it seems to be dated from 1842 and published by Henry Altemus. The book is titled “RAB AND HIS FRIENDS,ETC.” Please see the attached photos. If you like I can take some better quality pictures.

I was curious as to whether or not it had any value or if you could provide me with any information. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. The 1842 on the title page refers to the date that Altemus and Company was founded.

It is a reprint and only nominal value. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm for more information.

Question & Answer Series 167 Standard 12 mos. Series

Q: Hi, I was trying to research a book by Henry Altemus: Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Its the 167 series. It has a pictorial cover in silver and inks. Would you happen to know what this book would go for or valued at? The book is in great condition. Please let me know.
Thank you and your website has been a great help. I just though I could ask you on its value. Or if you don’t know where I could get an answer for my question.

A: Of all of the Altemus reprints of Alice in Wonderland, it is my opinion that this is the best. A beautiful decorative binding in a solid 1895 publication. This series published the combination Alice book in two formats. I am including a picture of the other format (maroon cover with a silver gilt decorative pattern).

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series167.htm for more information on the series.

The value is somewhat unpredictable. The individual Alice books from the Young People’s Library which are as common as trees in a forest frequently are bid up to $50-100 even without dust jackets. This book is much scarcer and of a much better quality than that book. A price of $150-200 is not unreasonable.

Question & Answer Series 185 Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q: My husband found this book while cleaning.
thought it was interesting
tried finding this book, I could only find the peter rabbit book that looks like this.
I did check other web sites and ebay, but nothing on this cover!!
I took pictures of the cover, spine, inside cover, second page, title page, copy right page and back cover
hope I didn’t take to many pictures, sorry if I did!!
was curious.

A: Your book is the Altemus first edition of Nursery Tales. It was published in 1904. Originally it came boxed.

For more information about your book see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series185.htm and http://henryaltemus.com/wee_books/index.htm.

Question & Answer Series 179 Vademecum Series

Q: Hello, I have an Altemus book of Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. It looks very old with the preface to the 2nd edition 1850. However, there is no date as to when this edition came out. I am thinking late 1800s. Pics attached, thanks for your help.

A: When Altemus published this title, it reprinted the book in its entirety-including the earlier dated preface.

Your book is part of the Vademecum Series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm) and was published in 1897.

Question & Answer Series 143 Petit Trianon Series

Q: The attached photos are of a book I have: Longfellow’s Poems Vol. II. I’ve had this book for a long time, but don’t know where I got it. It has three black & white pictures (art) on slick or photo type paper. Can you tell when it was published and if it has any value…no, I’m not trying to sell it, I keep books like this!

A: When Altemus published this title, it reprinted the book in its entirety-including the earlier dated preface.

Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm) and was published in 1901-1902.

Question & Answer Series 162 Sanspareil Series

Q: I recently came across 2 books at a sale and was intrigued by their covers. Both were published by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia. They are in very good condition, but I can’t find a date. The information on the website informed me they were published before 1900. Would you be able to supply me with more information? The one on the left is “Essays” by Lord Francis Bacon and the one on the right is “Sesame and Lilies” by John Ruskin.
Thank you.

A: I have included both pages where you can find both of your books.

This site is for the Sanspareil series. Your book (on the right) is an 1898 book. http://henryaltemus.com/series/series162.htm

This site is for the Vademecum Series. Your book (on the left) is an 1897 book. http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm

Both books are part of an Altemus publisher’s series. They are reprints and only have nominal value.

Series 47 Beauxarts Series

This publisher’s series of reprints was published between 1897 and 1902. During this period there were four different covers. Generally, the date of a Beauxarts Series book can be determined with a quick glance at the cover. The same decorative cover can be found with a number of different colors. Today I am adding a new 1898 book. With this cover I have four 1898 covers in the database. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series47.htm