Monthly Archives: April 2012

Question & Answer Series 75 Devotional Series

Q: I am having a difficult time finding any information on the attached pictures of the book THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS. I am only finding this title with various other covers. Could you direct me where it is that I could find the year and value of this please?

A: This book is part of the Devotional Series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series75.htm) and was published between 1901-1904.

As with all the books in this series, it is a reprint and without the original labeled box it only has nominal value.

Question & Answer Series 84 Fairy Tale Series

Q: I have this book (The Jeweled Sea by Hartwell James) it is in good condition and looks like your picture number 3. I was wondering if it is worth anything?
Thank You

A: This book is part of the six volume Fairy Tale Series. All six books were written by Hartwell James and illustrated by John R. Neill.
See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series84.htm for more details.

These books are in demand primarily because of the Neill illustrations. Neill illustrated a number of the Wizard of Oz books and his work is very collectible. This series in dust jackets are especially uncommon.

Question & Answer Series 143 Petit Trianon Series

Q: I have in my possession the book pictured below by Washington Irving, called “Knickerbocker’s History of New York Complete”. There is no date on the copyright page. Any information on this book will be appreciated. I am helping a friend to sell it.

A: Your book was published in 1903-1904 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

The covers of this series changed every year or two. In 1903-1904 the Petit Trianon Series had the pedestal on the left side of the cover. This pedestal is either in blue, pink, beige or soft leather. On the right half of the cloth covers is one of 16 flowers. The beige colored covers are the most common.

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

The books of this series are all reprints and consequently have very little value.

Question & Answer Series 143 Petit Trianon Series

Q: I’ve attached a picture of the front cover and the title page of Black Rock – A Tale of the Selkirks by Ralph Connor. Published by Henry Altemus Co. of Philadelphia. The intro was by Prof. George Adam Smith L.L.D. Page following intro says Black Rock and offers a short description of the story with the initials of C.W.G. at the end.

There doesn’t seem to be a copyright mark to distinguish the publication. Is this a first publication? 1898? As you can see, the front cover is not in pristine condition. Value?

Thanks for any info you may provide.

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1905-1906. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

The book of this series are all reprints (no first editions) and originally came in a labeled box. Generally unless the title is a special one, the books do not sell for more than a few dollars (at best).

Your book is also in rather tough shape so I suspect it will be a hard sell.

Series 164 Shakespeare’s Plays

The books of this 39 volume set of Shakespeare’s plays are among the most common of all Altemus published works. There are no books that I am asked about more than these volumes. Of course, since they are obviously reprints and are as common as pine beetles in Texas, they have virtually no value. As common as they are however, they are rarely found with dust jackets.

I have seen three different jackets as of this time. The front and the spines are the same but the reverse on the jackets differ. The earliest notes Henry Altemus not Henry Altemus Company as the publisher. Thus, it can be dated 1899. The latest one lists the 39 volume boxed set. The box for this set was first produced in 1909. The other jacket spans the two time periods.

For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series164.htm.

1899 Dust Jacket

 

1900-1908 Dust Jacket

 

Post-1909 Dust Jacket

Series 143 Petit Trianon Series

The Petit Trianon Series was a long running publisher’s series (1896-1910) which consisted of numerous reprints of poetry, classics, fiction, etc. All Henry Altemus books came originally in a box or with a dust jacket. The Petit Trianon books all came in labeled boxes.

Here is an example from a 1907 book. During this year there were four different formats. The peripheral acorn pattern surrounded one of four different flowers.
Examples are shown below.

For more info see: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

Question & Answer Non Series #121 Robinson Crusoe

Q: I have had this copy of Robinson Crusoe in my possession for over 30 years. I am interested in selling the book, now that I am older. I have attached some pictures. The book is in ok condition. As you can see there was tape put on the cover. I just want a little history of the book and would also appreciate knowing its value, if any.

A: 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. Your book was published between 1892 and 1896. This large book (9.5 x 7.5) has “extra fine English cloth with Emblematic designs”. It 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.

For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/images/NS_121.htm.

Because of its condition, your book will be hard to sell at any price.

Altemus Binder

In the mid-1800’s Altemus and Company was known as a book bindery not a book publisher. Examples of the numerous Altemus bindings are very hard to find however. This is mainly because most books have no mention of Altemus on the bindings or in the text.

See http://henryaltemus.com/publications/bindery.htm for more information.

There are exceptions however. Here is a great example of an 1848 book published by the Boston firm of Phillips and Sampson. This book, Christmas Blossoms, has an ornately decorative cover which has a gold gilt floral pattern. On the bottom left of the gold gilt pattern the words “Altemus Binder” are printed. Also the keen eye can see “Phi” also (indicating Philadelphia).

Interestingly, the Christmas Blossoms book of 1849 has the same cover with the same Altemus writing on the cover. That book was published by E.H. Butler of Philadelphia.

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