Q: I have a 4″x6″ book that appears to be old. I cannot find a date anywhere in the book. Can you tell me if it is an original or reprint? Picture of cover and inside attached.

A: Your book was published in 1895-1896 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

This format was published with numerous decorative right sided cover patterns with the same acorn decoration on the left. Some are shown below.

It originally was published within a labeled box.
It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Q: Hi there, I have acquired a book (Kidnapped) and am unable to find out about it. Please if you would be so kind as to tell me what you know of this book date and such. It has no publishing date in it. Thank You so very much for your time.

A: Your book was published in 1907 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

It originally was sold within a labeled box. A representative box is shown below.

This title is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Q: Thank you in advance for your help. I’d like to know the date of publication and value of book: Shakespeare’s Heroines. Please see attached photos.

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

In order to determine the date of this book (1900-1906) you will need to look at this site: Boys and Girls Classics and go through the simple flow chart using the ads in the back of the book.

It only has nominal value.

Q: I believe my book (Milton’s Paradise Lost) is Format 2 #2
Can you tell me if I am correct? How many copies were published? Do you know the value? I would be interested in any information you can provide.

A: Your book is definitely part of the six volume Dore’s Masterpieces Series.

The difference between Format 1 and Format 2 is that the Format 1 books were printed with plain cloth whereas the Format 2 books were printed with full Morocco. The latter books are much more elegant. Note the difference between the two. My Morocco book is on the right.

Having said that, most buyers are seemingly only interested in the Dore illustrations and the cover quality usually is lost on these purchasers.

In nice shape this book generally sells for $50-200.

Q: I inherited this book (The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin) along with a dozen or more other books all dated between 1850-1910. I’ve been trying to look this particular one up and get some more information about it. But I’ve been unable to do so. I’m hoping that you can gave me some insight on it. I’m am avid collector so I won’t be selling it. But perhaps you could include a possible value.

A: Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published within a labeled box in 1898. It is a publisher’s series that includes only reprints.

It only has nominal value.

Q: I have the following book to sell, but I’m not sure if Ebay is the place to do so, and I don’t know what the value of the book is. Here is the information:

Dante’s Inferno
Altemus’ Edition
Illustrated (75 w/blank back side) by Gustave Dore, some dated 1860
A Gore Masterpiece
Edited by Henry C. Walsh
Translated by Henry Francis Cary
No date indicated any place in the book
Size 9″ x 12″
Published: “Altemus Edition” — Cherry Street addresses
Has inserts of both one-page and fold-out advertising flyers – original with $3 and $6 prices
The spine is loose, but the pages are in perfect condition, though slightly off-white.

Any pricing information is helpful. Thanks.

A: This book is part of the six volume Dore’s Masterpieces Series and is a very collectible volume. The numerous Gustave Dore illustrations make this book very desirable. It originally came in a box or thick red canvas dust jacket.

Although these books are very common they still generally sell for $25-100. Occasionally more if the condition is excellent. Unfortunately your book is in very rough shape and probably will sell at the lower end.

The flyers for this series are very nice. I am showing a representative one below. More can be seen at http://henryaltemus.com/flyers/flyer-S78.htm.

Q: Hello, I have a copy of Black Beauty, and it appears to be in very good condition. I wanted to know what the value of it could be, plus the copyright on the title pages says it is 1897 but according to your web site, it appears to be published in 1906. Someone wrote 1906 on the first blank page inside the cover, so I’m unsure of the actual date.

Also, is something that would be worth selling?

A: This book is part of the Young People’s Library, Format 3. Format 3 books were published between 1902 and 1923. The format is determined by the characteristic spine.

Despite the copyright date, the fact that this book was published by Henry Altemus Company instantly indicates that it was published in 1900 or later since Altemus incorporated in 1900. Dating this book can be done relatively simply by following the dating flowchart which is on the series page.

Without the dust jacket it has minimal value.

Q: I wish for you to help me. I have found this book and I was wondering about the print date. It is called “Two Years Before The Mast.” Thank you in advance for any help in this matter. If you need a better description of this book then you may call me at (936)xxx-xxxx

A: This book is part of the 40 title Boys and Girls Classics series.

All of the books originally came within a labeled box. Two formats have been seen. Yours, with the gold gilt decorative pattern between the vertical lines, and books without this decoration. Each book has a book appropriate picture on the front cover. Your book was published between 1900 and 1902.

I have included a picture of this title without the gold decoration.

Q: Hi There, This book was a gift to my great grandmother by a friend. My grandmother had it among her things when she passed. I’m wondering if you have information on it, as I couldn’t find any photo’s that were the same as this one. I’m sure it was probably given to her in the late 1800’s or very early 1900’s. I’m also wondering if it has some value? Thanks for your time!

A: Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Vademecum Series.

This 1899 format has been seen with numerous cover colors (examples below) and originally was sold within a labeled box.

All of the titles in this series are reprints so the books of this series have only nominal value unless the title is a valued one. Unfortunately this is not the case with Bryant’s Poems. It will be a hard sell at any price.

Q: Hello, I recently came across a large collection of rare books. This book (Tanglewood Tales) is part of it. It is listed as Altemus from 1898. Any ideas? Thank you so much.

A: This book was published as part of the Beauxarts Series between 1899-1901. It originally came within a labeled box.

This format was printed with a number of different color covers. Some are shown below.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.