Q: I was wondering if you could tell me something about this Treasure Island book I have:

Is it from the Vademecum series (I think it is)? It is 6.5” x 4.5”. Is it really from 1899? Is it common, and of nominal value as I suspect?

I have attached some pictures of the book.

A: This book is from the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. Originally it was published a labeled box.

Although the book itself is not common, it is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Q: Greetings,
I have a book of Longfellow Poems that was published by Henry Altemus Co. I am hoping you may be able to provide some information regarding any history or potential value. The pictures are not great but I’m hoping you are familiar with this edition since your web site is so comprehensive. Thanks for your attention!

A: Your book was published in 1897 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

During this year all the books had the stereotypical dot design on the left half of the cover and any one of a number of decorative/floral designs on the right half of the cover. The book originally came in a labeled box.

Your book is a reprint of a not greatly in demand title and therefore has only nominal value.

Q: I’ve acquired a small book of Endymion, and Other Poems and am lookng for information on it. I’ve attached a file with a few identifying pictures. There is what looks to be a hand drawn print of John Keats and underneath it is printed “Copyright 1899, by Henry Altemus” In reading your website on how to identify pre or post 1900, I didn’t see an explanaition for what I have…

John Keats
ENDYMION And Other Poems
ALL OF THIS IS PRINTED IN RED WITH GREEN SCROLLWORK AROUND AND THROUGH IT.

Philadelphia
Henry Altemus

There are two title pages, the one pictured in the attachment and the one described above.

I’m hoping you can tell me a little more about this small treasure of beautiful poems. Any and all information you can provide is greatly appreciated.

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. It was published in 1901-1902.

In these years the books of this series, all of which are reprints, had the picture of the lady on the left of the cover and any one of sixteen different flower pictures on the right half of the cover. Your book has the lilacs.

This book originally came within a labeled box.

Q: I’ve inherited a box of old books, including the attached copy of Emerson’s Essays. I have been unable to find a similar cover on any of the rare/used book sites on the internet. I’m hoping you can help me to identify and date it. The gold artwork is embossed.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

A: Your book was published in 1902 as part of the Vademecum Series.

It originally came in a labeled box. This title is a reprint and only has nominal value.

By 1917 Altemus was only publishing one large reprint series. The Vademecum Series had gone through many changes in format between 1894 and 1917. The 1917 books were published with dust jackets as opposed to bering in labeled boxes.

Here is an example of a dust jacketed 1917 book. The interior advertises some of Altemus’ juvenile series. Altemus’ marketing had changed somewhat by this time. The Vademecum Series which initially was published for adults with obvious adult cover motifs now was advertised as “Classics for Boys and Girls”. This is in keeping with the juvenile subject matter of most of Altemus’ books by this date.

Q: I have come across a small book published by your company and would like to know more about it. The book is the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. It measures approximately 4 1/4″ x 6 1/4″. It is bound in a cream colored leather on the back and spine and a faded burgundy leather on the right half of the cover with an embossed iris in the leather and on the left side of the cover the title and an iris in cream colored leather. There is no date inside. I am curious as to the publication date and its worth.

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1905-1906. It originally came within a labeled box.

In this condition it has no value.

Q: i just found this little gem in my attic… im not sure if it was my family as I dont know w madge as the book was given to new, Christmas 1896 when it was published.

I looked at your site and did not see this cover displayed, so was wondering if you might have any info. Unfortunately the book is musty, its been in my attic since 1962 when my grandfather bought the house, its in a part of the attic that might have been left from previous owners.

I took some pics, they are in the zip file, if you need them resent, please advise.

I look forward to any info you might be able to tell me.

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1896/1897. All the books of this series have the same decoration on the left half of the cover but various floral/decorative designs on the right side.

All the titles in this series are reprints and have limited value.

Q: We have a very old small book (The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam) appearing to be published by your firm. A search found some information about the title as part of the Petit Trianon Series 143. But the cover does not match any of those in that series website. Here and in 2 following emails are photos of cover and title page and opposite page art. The cover feels like a soft suede.

Can you help with a year of publication please? (I did find a Q & A about possible value of the Petite version and it was indicated that the value was nominal.)

A: Your book is part of the Poems We Love Series.

It was published between 1913 and 1915 and originally came in a labeled box.

Q: Hello, I purchased a small hardcover book at an Estate Sale here in Sun City Center, Fl and it is a small hard cover book entitled WHERE ARE YOU GOING MY PRETTY MAID? It is a series of short stories copyright date 1905 by HENRY ALTEMUS. Can you please give me the history on this book?

A: This book was published in 1905 and is part of the eight volume Bo-Peep Series. I am including a picture of the rather plain uncoated brown paper dust jacket that this book came with.

Q: From you website this book was published in 1896. Its in great condition, how much do you think its worth. It’s Scarlet Letter Second Edition and it does have the preface.

A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896.

Altemus published this title in numerous formats. When it did, it reprinted the entire book including the early dated preface. Thus, almost every edition of this title that Altemus reprinted has the “second edition” preface from the original 1850′s book. It is actually not the second edition but rather it is a reprint of the second edition. It only has nominal value.