The Vademecum Series covers in 1901, 1902, 1903 and 1907 had appliqués on the front covers that were European Paintings. The covers had vertical sections from a painting such that numerous different covers exist with parts of the same painting. So far more than 40 different covers have been seen (see http://henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm for examples) but there are probably only 20 or so different paintings.

Here is an example

Looking closely you can see that these covers are all part of the same picture.

Q: We believe we have a copy of The Prince of the House of David by Rev. J.H. Ingraham. l from the La Belle Fleur series 1899. We would like to know if we are correct, and if so, what might such a book be worth. Pictures are enclosed. Thank you.

A: Your book is actually from the Boys and Girls Classics Series.

It was published between 1900 and 1906. It originally came within a labeled box.

In this condition it has no value.

Q: I’m including a picture of the covers of a book of Longfellow’s poems (Vol. I &II). There are no dates in either of these books. In the back of these books is a list of Altemus’ Illustrated Vademecum Series. Can you give me some information regarding the dates these volumes were printed and what they might appraise for. Thank you very much for your interest.

A: These books are part of the Vademecum Series and were published in 1903. They originally came within labeled boxes.

They are reprints and only have nominal value.

Q: I see that you published In His Steps in 1899. This is my treasure. It is a hard bound. I don’t see it listed on your website. Was it printed in sb first, possibly elsewhere?

Others on Ebay say the firt pub date is 1897. Is mine a first Edition? If not how do I list it? What category is it in? Do you know it’s value? If not please give me guidance on where to go.

A: It was published in 1899-1900 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. Your book is not a first edition. You can find a picture on the series page.

It has only nominal value and will be hard to sell at any price (especially in this condition).

Here is a new picture for the database. This is the dust jacket for Julius Caesar which is #47 in the Format 3 Young People’s Library.

The Format 3 books were published between 1902 and 1923. The covers and contents of Format books (1898-1902) and the Format 2 books are identical.

They are distinguished by their spines. The format 3 spines are shown below.

Here is a new picture for the database. Up until now I had only seen two formats for this non series book. This is the third format.
This linen cloth has also been seen with Don’ts for Girls and Don’ts for Boys.

The earlier two formats are also shown below.

First Format (First Edition)

Second Format

Third Format

Q: I came across this pretty little book at an estate sale. I only paid $3.00 for it, and plan to keep it for my personal collection of older, interesting looking books.

The pages are all connected to the spine, and the cover and pages are all intact and in remarkable condition. I think this book just sat on a shelf most of it’s life.

I was wondering what you could tell me about it? Publication date and value are my big questions. I supposed anything else you could tell me would just be fun to know!

It’s Hawthorne’s Twice Told Tales. The outside spine says the title and then “Altemus” at the bottom. I’ve included a shot of one of the inside pages, which is located at the end of the book indicating it was published by Henry Altemus’ Publications in Philadelphia, PA.

A: Hello,
Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1898. It originally came within a labeled box.

This title is a reprint as are all of the books in this series.

$3.00 is probably a fair price.

Q: I found this book (The Raven and Other Poems) on a website and would love to get an idea of when it was printed. I have attached a picture of it.

Thank you very much for your time!

A: Hello,
It was published between 1912 and 1915 in the “Poems We Love” Series.

It originally came within a labeled box.

The $55 asking price is significantly more than this $10-20 book is worth.

Below is a picture of a representative box for the books of this series.

This little 6 x 4.5 book was published in 1910. Today the dust jacket is being added to the database.

As with all Altemus books, it came with a dust jacket (or labeled box).

Because the dust jacket is made of brown uncoated paper, it was published earlier than 1915.

Q: I recently picked up a book and it seems to me that it is part of the Vademecum Series. It is Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Second Series of essays. Just wanted to know the publishing year and perhaps any more info regarding the painter of the applique. Picture is attached.

A: You have a 1907 book. See Vademecum Series for more information.

During the early 1900’s there were several Vademecum Series formats that had parts of European paintings as paste-on’s on the front covers.

Your book’s paste-on (appliqué) is part of a larger picture.