Q: Hello. I’m doing research on this old Henry Altemus book, Black Beauty. Your website has been very informative. It looks like this is a format 1 cover, and pre-1900.
I would greatly appreciate any help you can provide for more information and its value. Here are some pictures for your consideration.

A: Your book was published in 1897. It is part of the Beauxarts Series.

See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series47.htm

It is a reprint of this very famous title which was first published in 1890 by the American Humane Society.

Although your book looks to be in great shape, the reprints of Black Beauty are so common that they rarely sell for more than a few dollars. Of course, you never know when someone just has to have this particular copy.

Q: This book has been in our family for a while and would love to find out more about it. It is “The Wonder Book” by Nathaniel Hawthorn.

Any info would be great!

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. This series is comprised of numerous reprints of poetry, essays, the classics, etc.

In 1897 the cover was published in a number of different colors while the underlying decorative pattern remained unchanged.

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm for more information.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Q: I have a copy of A Wonder Book Hawthorn small with no publishing or copyright dates. Can you tell me how old it is and if there is any value to it other then its cool!

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. During this year all the Petit Trianon Books had the same pedestal design on the left of the front cover (white, pink and blue have all been seen). On the right half of the cover one of 16 flower pictures were possible. For all the possibilities see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

This book only has nominal value.

Q: Hello, I am a Seller Broker and a Collector has asked me to sell one of his Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland books. I have conducted research but am hoping you can give me some insight as to the year of publication and value of his edition. I have attached a photo of this book, including some ads in the back and the title page.

A: This book was published as part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series57.htm.

This series used the plates from the Young People’s Library-Format 2. Thus you will notice on the title page that it says Young People’s Library.

Also the Altemus copyright is on the title page. Although confusing, the copyright is not the date of publication even though it is on the title page.

Looking at the ad pages you have sent, a reasonable guess for date of publication would be 1912. With more ads I might be able come up with another date-but probably not much different.

Value is a tougher question. This book is relatively common. Nonetheless I have seen it sell for anywhere between $5 and $50.

The Altemus reprint Alice prices just seem to me to be unpredictable and not based on scarcity.

This publisher’s series was published between 1896 and 1910. During this period of time the decorative cover was changed thirteen times. Almost every year a new cover format was introduced. Each new cover generally was seen with new flowers, decorations or pictures within a constant cover template.

The book below which is newly entered into the database depicts the 1899 cover. The left side of the front cover is constant for all 1899 Petit Trianon books. On the right half of the cover, various floral and decorative patterns have been identified.

This new cover is the 26th different 1899 right half cover that I have seen.

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm for the other covers.