Q: I recently purchased a copy of Manon Lescaut by your publishing house. It has no date in it. I wonder if you could look at a few photos attached and let me know what date you think it was published and any other info you may have such as monetary value.

A: This book was published in 1899-1900 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

It is a reprint originally came in a labeled box. The left side of the cover has a stereotypical decorative vine design. The right side has various floral or other artistic patterns.

As of this time I have seen 27 different right half covers. A typical box is shown.

The books of this series only have value if the title is collectible. Your title is not and thus the book has only nominal value.

Q: I don’t have a picture..trying to find a copy of a book that was my father’s. Circa 1920 It was a volume of the Peter Rabbit Stories, author Linda Stevens Almond. The cover was Navy Blue and had an illustration of Peter Rabbit on it. The book was about 8 x 10..maybe a little smaller, and about 2 inches, give or take thick. My mother had a yard sale back around 1977 and the book disappeared. I really would love to find a copy as I spent many childhood hours reading it. It contained many of the stories I see in singular..but I have yet to see the volume with many stories. Any help would be much appreciated.

A: I believe the book that best fits your description is the one shown above. It is part of the two book Story Book Series. http://henryaltemus.com/series/series172.htm

It is a compilation of the first 14 books of the Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series. It was first published in 1924. With the dust jacket it is quite scarce.

Q: Hi, Can you tell me about this book (Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam)?

A: This book was published in 1908 and 1909 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. As with all the books of this series it is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box. This book represents the last years of this series which was published with numerous different covers between 1896 and 1909. I am including a picture of this format’s box. Generally, unless the title is special in some way, the books do not sell for more than a few dollars.

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm for more information.

This series was published in five formats. The book shown here is from Format 3. Interestingly enough, the books in this format have been seen in matching dust jackets or matching boxes. Shown here is the matching box. The book are 6.25 x 4.25.

For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series121.htm

Q: I have the opportunity to buy a 1892 version of the scarlet letter. I know this was a very common print, I just want to make sure I am not missing out on an opportunity, this is a picture of the cover, I haven’t seen this exact cover elsewhere on the web…. I would be greatly appreciative if you could give me a value as to what its worth.

A: Altemus published the Scarlet Letter in numerous formats. In 1892 it published its non-series Scarlet Letter. The same cover style was printed in several different colors. Early in 1892 the Altemus Scarlet Letters did not include the 1850 “Preface to the Second Edition” which appeared in all the latter Altemus Scarlet Letter printings.

Because this book is relatively common and a reprint, it has little value.

Other covers are shown here.

Q: Can you tell me the value of this copy of “Line Upon Line”? This is book number 27 in the series, in good condition. The attached photos show a good representation of its condition. Thank you for your time.

A: Your book is part of the Devotional Series. This series of moralistic and religious books was a long running series published between 1895 and 1933. During these years there were nine different formats published. Your book is format 7, published between 1901-1904. This format originally came in a labeled box. Interestingly several different paste-ons have been seen within the cover template. These variations are shown below.

For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series75.htm.

Since your book is in poor shape and is a reprint, it has only nominal value.

Q: I picked up this book from a second hand store about ten years ago and am wondering if you can give me some information about it. It is a Grimm’s Fairy Tales from 1898 part of the Young People’s Library. The spine was damaged when I bought it but I’m interested in having it repaired. I’m hoping to pass this onto my son when he’s old enough to appreciate and take care of it.

Any information you can give me would be great. I paid $2.00 for it which to me is a bargain for such works.

A: Your book is part of the Young People’s Library. Based on the cover, it is a format 3 book published between 1902-1923. It originally came with a dust jacket. Except for a few titles the books of this series have little value and it probably is not worth getting the binding repaired. For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F3.htm.

Q: Here is a photo i copied from someone else (mine is in better condition, but i am without a camera at the moment). It is a green cover with gold and red on the front. My book has no date, no title, no nothing. It simply says “Poems” and at the bottom says e.a. poe. I know it is from 1897, but that is all i know. Is there a way to get a price for this book? thank you very much!

A: Your 1897 book is from the Vademecum Series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm). This series of reprints was published with different covers every year. This is the 1897 cover. It was published in a number of colors. (See below) It originally came in a labeled slip case box. This series’ books generally have little value.

The books of this 26 volume series are among the most commonly found Altemus books. The first sixteen books were always published as Dainty Series books. The last ten books were initially part of the Rose Carnation Series until they were added to the Dainty Series in 1909. There are five formats and they are shown below.

For more information about this series see http://henryaltemus.com/series/series74.htm

Format 1 includes only the Silver Buckle. It is the only book that was published before 1900 and has the Henry Altemus not the Henry Altemus Company imprint.

The Format 1 and Format 2 books have the same left sided cover design with any one of a number of decorative patterns on the right. (1899-1902)

Format 3 books have the same decorative left cover pattern with various illuminated cover illustrations on the right half of the cover (1903-1905).

In Format 4 the left half of the cover has a new design. (1906-1908)

Format 5 has a new left sided cover pattern with the same illuminated pictures on the right half of the cover. These books are smaller than the earlier formats.

Here are the dust jacket formats:

Formats 1-4 and early Format 5

Format 5 Dust Jacket

Q: Could you please tell me the value of this book (Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary)?

A: This book is part of the eight volume Bo-Peep Series. The books of this series are large (8.5 x 6.75) and came with dust jackets. (Shown with the book). All eight books were published in 1905.
Generally without a dust jacket they do not sell for more than a few dollars each.