Monthly Archives: October 2012

Question & Answer Non Series 128- She Who Will Not When She May

Q: I came across this book, She Who Will not When She May by Eleanor G. Walton 1898, at a flea market and it was so pretty, appeared to be old and was in such good condition that I decided to buy it. Based on what I’ve read on your site, I believe it to be a first edition. Are you able to confirm and can you tell me what it’s worth? Would appreciate any other info you can provide as well. Thanks!

A: Three editions of this book have been seen (Not including the ooze calf binding variant).
The first edition is the only one that has the Henry Altemus not the Henry Altemus Company imprint.

For other methods to distinguish the various editions see http://henryaltemus.com/images/NS_128.htm

Question & Answer Series 179 Vademecum Series

Q: Does this book have any real value? It appears as though there were a lot published. This one is published 1897 with an inscription to S.L.O from Stevenson. Its not hand inscribed. Its printed. Thanks.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897

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

The books of this series are all reprints. Your book originally came with a labeled box.
During 1897 this book format was published in a number of different colors. Some of those books are displayed here.

Most of the books of this series have little value.

 

Question & Answer Series 58 Boys and Girls Classics (old)

Q: Greetings, I would like to request some information about the following book: I thank you in advance for your time.

The title is VIC & the full title inside the cover reads THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A FOX TERRIER written by Marie More Marsh. The Copyright states “1892 by Francis J. Shulte”.

The publisher is Henry Altemus – Philadelphia

The spine itself is in very good condition. A little shelf wear is all.

There are two blank pages at the start of the book. The book has 184 numbered pages. Following those numbered pages, there are sixteen pages dedicated to “Publications Of Henry Altemus Company”. There are five blank pages at the end of the book.

The book was originally done with gold cover, gilt letters, and color drawing on front of the hardcover. As you can see in the photos I am including, a large portion of those qualities still exist.

I have actually read the book and found it quite interesting! The story is told from the view of the terrier. He actually “talks” in first person to the readers.

A: Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series58.htm

It was published in 1899 and originally came in a labeled box. The 1899 editions of this series are quite uncommon. They are distinguished from the 1900 and later editions by their title page imprint. The earlier 1899 books have the Henry Altemus not the Henry Altemus Company imprint.

The books with the gold gilt design may be more attractive than those without but no more valuable or scarce. The comparison book without the gold gilt pattern is shown here.

Question & Answer Altemus Bibles

Q: This is the altemus bible i own, which one is it? if you happen to know, its picture b10 in ur bible listings.

A: Currently I have documented 59 different Altemus Bible covers. Altemus published Bibles between the early 1870’s and the turn of the century.

The Bible shown here has been labeled B10. There were 12 different Bible editions. B10 Bible covers have been seen with the New Popular Edition and the Cheap Pictorial Edition. The features and contents within the Bible are what distinguishes the different editions.

The New Popular Edition and the Cheap Pictorial Editions do not have:

Bible History and Analysis
Cyclopedia of the Bible
Dictionary of Names
Notes and commentary by Rev. Walter McGilvray

Other Altemus Bibles do have these features. To learn more about Altemus Bibles see See http://henryaltemus.com/bibles/bibles.htm

Question & Answer Series 180 Vademecum Series

Q: Hi, I was hoping that you could tell me a little more about this version of Black Beauty that I ran across while I was looking through my Grandpa’s book collection. Any info helps…thank you for your time.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series180.htm. It originally came in a labeled box.

The 1900 Vademecum Series books were all published with the same cover which came in various colors. I have seen six variant colors at this time but suspect that there are more. Some other color covers are shown below.

Question & Answer Series 74 Dainty Series

Q: Hi. I saw your answer to someone’s question about the value of ‘Charles Dickens’ Children Stories’. I attached a photo of the book that I just found. Would you be able to give me information??

A: Your book is part of the Dainty Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series74.htm

This series has a number of formats all of which came in dust jackets. It was published between 1899-1909 and the books are quite commonly found.

Your book is from Format 3 and was published between 1903-1905.

Because it is an easy book to find, your book has little value-especially in rather poor shape.