Monthly Archives: July 2012

Question & Answer Series 141 Petit Trianon Series

Q: Can you please tell me what you can about this beautiful book (Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage)? thanks a lot

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1897. Originally the book came in a labeled box.

For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series141.htm.

This series’ books in 1897 all had the same decoration on the left side of the cover. On the right side of the cover these books had various decorative designs or floral patterns.

Your book is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Question & Answer Series 199 Young Folks Puzzle Pictures’ Series

Q: I was wondering if you could help me? I have Animal Tales with Puzzle Pictures. I have attached pictures of this magnificent book. Could you tell me which edition this might be and its value?

A: Your book is part of the Young Folks Puzzle Pictures’ Series. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series199.htm.

There are five books in this series with the Tale of Peter Rabbit with Puzzle Pictures and the Night Before Christmas with Puzzle Pictures being the most desired and therefore the most valuable.

Each book in this series had three different formats (editions). Your book is a second format edition. The first edition books have a full cover paste-on picture and the writing on the spine goes from bottom to the top.

It is always hard to know what a book might sell for. Because your book is in poor shape and does not have a dust jacket, would think it only has nominal value.

Question & Answer Series 142 Petit Trianon Series

Q: Can you send me information on this Henry Altemus book? I cannot find any publication date.

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon series and was published in 1898.

During this year, all of the covers of the books had the same decorative pattern on the left. On the right side of the cover there were various floral or decorative patterns.

See http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series142.htm

The books of this series originally came in labeled boxes. As with all of this series’ books, your title is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Question & Answer Photographic Albums

Q: I came across this old Altemus & Co. photogragh album that someone had discarded in the trash. I have no idea how old it really is! One of the pictures shows someone holding a cat. This picture in particular has a “metal” backing to it. I’ve never seen anything like it! Maybe you can help with identifying it?

A: Between 1863 and 1889 Altemus produced this type of photographic album. The 1863 patent was for a special “hinged back design” allowing the albums to lay flat. There were a number of different cover and spine designs which were utilized during this time frame. The albums came in a number of different sizes. They varied in terms of photos per page (1,2, or 4) as well as pages in the book.

The albums’ covers had various embossed designs. The albums’ values vary with the size, condition and interest of any included photos.

For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/albums/photoalbums.htm.

Non Series 132 Sweethearts and Beaux

This little book written by Minna Thomas Antrim and was first published in 1905. Between 1905 and 1908 it was a non series book. See http://henryaltemus.com/images/NS_132.htm.
During these years the cover had a stereotypical pattern on the left half while the right half had various decorative designs. I am adding the left side which has a black background cover today. The red book is also a non series book. These volumes are indistinguishable from each other except for the cover and can both be considered first editions.

Sweethearts and Beaux

Between 1909 and 1912 this book was included in the Jester Life Series. The format changed such that now the front covers are brightly colored with ornamental designs.
See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series112.htm. Two examples are shown below. Later without a change in format this title was included in the Wit and Humor Series.
See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series191.htm. This series was published between 1914-1919.

The only way to distinguish between the latter two series is by examining the dust jacket. The back of a Jester Life dust jacket is shown below.

Question & Answer Series 180 Vademecum Series

Q: I would like to know what you can tell me about this publication by the Henry Altemus Company, Illustrated Vademecum Series. It was a gift to my grandmother in 1904.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1905-1906. During these two years the book covers were published in a number of different colors. Four different paste-on flower pictures were used. (Your picture is an iris.)

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

This book originally came in a labeled box. It is a reprint as are all of the books from this series.

Question & Answer Series 143 Petit Trianon Series

Q: I came across this book at a yard sale today and was wondering what year it was published.

I love the nuveau cover so much the book is beautiful. Just trying to get some background on it.
Rip Van Winkle
A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1901-1902.

During that year this series of reprints was published in several formats. The left half of the cover was printed in either pink, blue or beige (most common). The right half of the cover had one of sixteen flower pictures.

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

Series 202 Young People’s Library Format 2

The Young People’s Library series was published between 1895 and 1933. During this time frame there were four different formats published. In most instances within each format the same title had a number of cover variants printed–generally the variations are in differing color patterns. Each format can easily be distinguished by its spine. Format 2 which was published between 1898 and 1902 has the spine shown below.

Today I am adding a variant cover for book #39 Alexander the Great. This book and an earlier version are shown below. (The new book to the database has a bluish cover). The new book is a later Format 2 version. For dating these books exactly see the flow chart here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F2.htm

Format 2 spines

Earlier #39

Later #39

Series 82 Ever New Series

This sixteen book series is quite scarce. (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series82.htm). Today I am adding a picture of book #12-The Pilgrim’s Progress. The books of this series are basically the same as the identical titles in the Young People’s Library- Format 3. The difference is that the books from this series are larger. They are 7.75 x 5.5 versus the Young People’s Library books which are 6.5 x 5.25.

The covers are almost the same-but not quite. Note the bottom of the cover. In this series there is a little decoration at the bottom. This is the reason for the size differential. It is curious why Altemus would publish this series to compete with the very successful Young People’s Library.

Ever New Series

Young People’s Library

Series 100 Good Time Series

Jackanapes written by Juliana H. Ewing was published as part of the Good Time Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series100.htm

Most of the twelve books of this series went through several cover color changes. Jackanapes is no exception. When you have the dust jacket the ads can be helpful when trying to determine if you have an early or late edition. Without the dust jacket (or a dated inscription) it is much harder.

One tip is that the earlier books in this series have glossy paper frontispieces. The later books have plain paper frontispieces. This new book to the database has a plain paper frontispiece making it a later issue.

The first editions have no special designation. So you need a 1903 inscription (all the books were copyrighted in 1903), glossy paper frontispiece and appropriate ads on the dust jacket to be certain.

Earlier books

Later book