Q: I was reading up on your information on the Henry Altemus Company books.. and was wondering if I could email you some pictures so you can help me with the age of the book. The title is Through the Looking Glass, and there is no date. Any information you can give me would be appreciated.

A: Your book belongs to this series-Boys and Girls Classics (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series58.htm).

These books were published between 1899 and 1906.

Altemus incorporated in 1900 so since the imprint on your book is Henry Altemus Company it was published no earlier than 1900.

Since it is inscribed 1902-your book was published between 1900 and early 1903.

For a more exact dating look at the site noted above. There is a dating section.

Appreciate that the vast majority of Altemus’ Through the Looking Glass books carry an 1897 copyright.

On Ebay these books are listed as being published in 1897. These listings for the most part are wrong.

Q: I have been having a hard time finding information and pricing for this edition of John Ruskin’s Sesame and Lilies. Would you happen to know anything about it?
Thanks,

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. The books of this series are all reprints.

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm

Your book only has nominal value.

Q: Hello,
I have attached some photos of the book (Nature, Addresses and Lectures) I have questions about. I found this years ago in an old abandoned house and thought it looked really old. I was just curious you could tell me if its worth anything (monetarily) and about how much. Probably going to hold on to it for awhile but was just curious if it was valuable.

A: Your book is a reprint and was published in 1901 as part of the Riviere Series. This series consisted of only 87 books and is therefore one of the smaller Altemus publisher’s series. All of the titles are reprints. Originally the books came with a dust jacket. The plastic like purple flower is somewhat difficult to find in great shape.

More information can be found at http://henryaltemus.com/series/series158.htm.

It only has nominal value.

Q: To Whom it may concern,

I have a very old Henry Altemus publication of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.
It was given to me by my 92 year old Mother.
She received it from hers who was 101 when she died.
I don’t think for a moment that the signature is authentic but I would like to know more about it.
I have attached some photos of this book for you to peruse.
I hope you may be able to shed some light on it’s history.

A: This book is part of the Yuletide Series which was published between 1912 and 1916.
See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series203.htm

The books of this series originally came within a labeled box.
Since Dickens died in 1870 the signature, as you guessed, the signature is not authentic.
Generally this book sells between $10-25.