This three volume series written by Wayne Whipple was first published in 1910. It was printed thereafter continuously into the 1930’s. There are two formats. The first has a line drawn rectangular book appropriate picture on the upper half of the front cover. Format #2 has an appliqué on the upper half of the front cover which has a pictorial book appropriate picture.

Today I am adding to the database a format 2 dust jacket for book #2 The Story of the White House.
On the series page (Patriotic Series) there is information that can help distinguish early from later editions of each format.

Format 1 Dust Jacket

Format 2 Dust Jacket

Q: What can you tell me about this book- Ethics of the Dust. There is no marking of Henry Altemus on the bottom front cover. There is a dedication page to “The Real Little Houswives, whose gentle listening and thoughtful questioning enabled the writer to write this book. It is dedicated with love, Christmas 1875”

A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1899. It originally came within a labeled slip case box.

During this year this format was seen with a number of different cover colors. I have seen eight different covers so far. Some are shown below.

All of the books in this series are reprints. Since your book is not a very collectible title, it has only nominal value.

Altemus published this title in two editions. The earlier book has earlier advertisements in the back of the book. The earlier book lists 87 titles (1897) in the Vademecum Series while the later book lists 109 titles (1898) in that series. There are a number of other more subtle differences between the ads of the earlier and later books.

Today I am adding a new cover color to Altemus’ second edition of Quo Vadis.

A copy of a first Altemus edition title is also shown for reference.

For more information, click here.

Earlier (First Altemus Edition)

Later (Second Altemus Edition)

One of the 1907 Vademecum Series formats have this cover design surrounding a European painting.

More than 40 appliqué pictures have been seen. There are a number of possible cover colors. Today I am adding a new one. This is the 5th different cover color that I have seen. The others are shown below.

This format did come a labeled box. See below.

Q: This book is from my husband’s family- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. 1895. No jacket. Probably from Format 1, and one of a set (which we don’t have).
Could you give us a value estimate?

A: Your book is part of the Young People’s Library, Format 1 and was published between 1895-1898. This is the first Altemus printing of this title. It has been seen in several different colors (see below).

It is much rarer than the later Young People’s Library Alice’s even though the later ones are frequently touted as “rare and valuable”.

The actual edition/year of your book can be easily determined by looking at the ads in the front and following the dating directions on the website.

For more information on the Altemus Alice’s see http://henryaltemus.com/alice/alice.htm

Q: Could you please tell me the book value or series of book for this house of the seven gables book? Thank you.

A: This book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1897.
All of the books in this series are reprints and were originally published within a labeled box.

This 1897 format was printed with numerous different color covers.

The 1897 Beauxarts’ books are very, very common. Very few titles (including this one) have more than nominal value.

Q: I have this small book that belonged to my grandfather as a child. It is over 100 years old. No holly is attached to cover. I’m thinking it was part of a Christmas collection. I have no intent to sell but would like to know its value.

A: This book is part of the Classics Series and was printed between 1907-1909. It originally came with a dust jacket which is shown below. The books of this series never had any attached holly.

There are a couple of very special titles in this series (Diamond Lens, Hunting of the Snark). This title is an Altemus reprint but may be collectible to some Charles Dickens’ or Christmas Carol collectors.

Q: Could you please help me find the publication date of this book (The Courtship of Miles Standish). I am curious. It is one of my most favorite possessions.

A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series.

It was printed in 1905-1906 and is a reprint. Your book is not a very desired title and thus has little value.

Originally it was published within a labeled box. See a representative box below.

This format has been seen with several cover colors. Four different flowers have been seen on the covers of these books. This book has the orchid. Other flowers are shown below.

Iris

Queen Anne’s Lace

Nasturtium

Q: Hello, I have a copy of of Hawthorne’s A Wonder Book from my grandparents, and I’m not sure what to do with it.
I have not been able to take a good photo of it but will try to describe it: Blue cover, title in gold in top third, lower 2/3s divided vertically in three unequal panels, center panel has a figure in profile in what could be Greek dress with sandals, author’s name along bottom. Cover and panels outlined in what may have been gilded lines. Cover intact, a few loose pages.
So far none of my friends with children that age have been interested, and it’s not the sort of book I want to keep in my collection.
It’s been an interesting hunt to learn about this book. Thanks for your website!

A: This book is part of the 58 book Boys and Girls Classics.

This series has a centrally located paste-on picture which is different for each book and book appropriate. There are two cover formats. One which has the gold leaf decorative pattern within the vertical sections and one that does not have these decorations.

These books are all reprints and have little value except for those books with collectible titles.

The books can be dated using the ads in the back.

Q: Hi there, I have one book and I don’t know much about it, but it is old and I cannot find the year edition. It has a dedicated to Billie in the first page and dated 1921. I send you some pictures, hope you can help me. The Story of Little Black Sambo

A: You have an excellent book. It is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series.

This is the first Altemus edition of this title. Between 1917 and 1921 the titles of this series had either red or yellow lettering.
Subsequently the lettering was black/grey or green.

This title is very collectible and this early edition is a very special book.

All of the books in this series had dust jackets. The jacket for this title is shown below.