Monthly Archives: March 2013

Wee Books for Wee Folks- Variant cover

There are a number of series that have similar formats and are described as Wee Books for Wee Folks. These familiar little books (5.5 x 4.25) have a small appliqué (3.5 x 2.5) pasted on the cover. This format is seen in:

Series #186 Wee Books for Wee Folks (third format)
Series #187 Wee Folks Bible Stories Series
Series #188 Wee Folks Cinderella Series
Series #189 Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series
Series #126 Little Sallie Mandy Series
Series #123 Little Black Sambo Series
Series #124 Little Bunnie Bunniekin Series

Examples are noted below:
Alice's Adventures in WonderlandLittle Miss Duck

Today I am adding two more of a very uncommon variant cover for these series. This cover has an appliqué which makes up the entire front cover. Examples are shown below.

I Don't Want to Go to Bed Grunty Grunts and Smiley Smile Indoors The Foolish Fox

Most of these books have book ads for titles that were published in 1928 and 1929. Thus this variant was published in this years. I have yet to see a dust jacket for any of these books but it is most likely exactly the same as the non variant book cover dust jackets.

Non Series 126 Senator Sorghum’s Primer of Politics

In 1906 Altemus published two formats of this little book. One is hardcover and the other is in ooze calf. The ooze calf book originally came boxed while the hardcover book had a dust jacket. Both books are 6.75 x 5.5. These books are among the harder to find Altemus titles.

The 64 pages are full of pithy little sayings. Inspiration for these blurbs has undoubtedly come from your local politicians.

My favorite saying is: Politics is the art of turning influence into affluence. I guess even in 1906 politicians were going to Washington with moderate wealth and leaving with profound wealth. One of the true mysteries (maybe not) of politics.

Question & Answer Series 180 Vademecum Series

Q: I was trying to do some investigating about a book that I was given by my mother in 1968. It was given to her by a school teacher for Christmas in 1932. The book is Black Beauty. There is no copyright date other than by a photo inside that shows a date under the picture of a man and a black horse. That says Copyright 1899, by Henry Altemus. The cover is light blue with gold & burgandy flowers on the cover. The spine of the book is also decorated with the same gold & burgandy colors. The book measures 6.75″ x 4.5″. Attached is a photo that may help you help me. If this can be identified, do you also know the value. Is this something that should be insured?

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1900.

During this year the covers have been seen in many different colors. Some of them are shown below. These books originally came within a labeled box.

Your book is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Question & Answer Series 47 Beauxarts Series

Q: We have a Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson with an inscription dated 1899. I attach a scan of the cover. We have found a close likeness of the cover on your website that is labelled as 1898. It has some illustrations and is in very good condition. Can you give us an approximate value for this copy?

A: This book was published as part of the Beauxarts Series in 1898. It is a reprint and has limited value. Since Treasure Island is a very collectible title, there may be collectors who are interested in your book. Generally speaking however, these reprints have only nominal value.

During 1898 the covers of this series’ books have been found with a number of variant colors. Some are shown below.

Question & Answer Series 180 Vademecum Series

Q: Wondering value of this book (Walden). Condition is soiled, few pages curled and two sets of pages missed trim blade on bottom in the section listing publishers other work at back. more pic to follow.

A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series. Each year the covers changed. This book’s cover is from 1905-1906. During this publication year the covers came with several different color covers and four different flowers pictured on the appliqués. Your book has the Nasturtium flowers.

Other cover flowers shown below are:


Orchid

Queen Anne’s Lace

Iris

These books also came within a labeled box. An example is shown:

Because your book has a common title and is in poor shape, it will be a hard sell at any price.

Question & Answer Series 143 Petit Trianon Series

Q: Hi there! I am having a difficult time finding this book anywhere but in my collection. Any thoughts? it is copyright 1899.

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899.

It originally came within a labeled box. This book is a reprint.

You can see on the website that in 1899 the books of this series all had the same pattern on the left side of the cover whereas the right has any one of a number of different decorative designs.

Question & Answer Series 180 Vademecum Series

Q: This book (Song of Hiawatha) was given to me by my mother. Can you tell me when it was published, if its an original or reprint? And possibly a value on it? I can not find a date any where on it, seems to be in great shape other than what looks like a water drop on the front you can see in the picture. And some one wrote something on the first page and it was later blacked out with marker.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series includes only reprinted titles.

The Vademecum books can be dated by their covers. Your book was published in 1915. It originally came within a labeled red box. An example is shown below.

Because it is a reprint, it only has nominal value.

Question & Answer Series 166 Slip in the Pocket Classics Series

Q: I have a book titled “Friendship”, written by Henry David Thoreau, published by your company. The hardcover is green with gold inlay.

When was it published and is it of any value?

Please advise and thank you in advance.

A: Your book is part of the Slip in the Pocket Classics Series.

It was published in the 1909-1912 range. It originally came with a dust jacket.

This is not a very collectible title and since all the Altemus copies of this title are reprints, your book only has nominal value.

Non Series 45 Don’ts for Boys

This 1902 copyright title was published in 5 different formats. This book is a Format 3 book.

Format 3 of this book was used for a number of titles. The right half of the cover has various decorative patterns whereas the left half remains constant. Below are several other examples of this format.