Q: Hi, I have a book that I would like some help with. It seems that you know the most on this subject, so I will send you some pictures. It’s “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” published in 1896 by Henry Altemus, Copyrighted in 1895. I can’t find a whole lot of information on it, but it has a handwritten ‘No. 71’ in the top right corner, so I think there’s at least 70 others running around somewhere, but I haven’t seen one yet. It was given to Dan B. Hoover by someone named Leila, Dec. 25th, 1896 according to what she wrote in it. Then ’Dan Hoover’ promptly stamped his name in the book.

A: Your book was published in 1896 as part of the Vademecum Series. During this year the covers were published in a number of different colors. See below for some examples.

The number 71 has no meaning to me. Probably just the book owner’s notation.
The book is a reprint and has little to no value (unfortunately).

Q: Good morning. Attached are two photos of a book I found (Manners). Could you please tell me about it and if it has any value. Thank you.

A: This book is part of the 28 volume Life of Service Series. It originally was published with a dust jacket which matched the front cover. It also was sold within a box that had a cover similar to the book cover.

This series was published between 1912 and 1933. Your book is part of the third (out of five possible formats). These books are not widely desired and consequently have little value. A sample box and dust jacket are shown below.

Q: What can you tell me about this book Essays-Lord Francis Bacon? There are no inscriptions on the front cover. Inside just Philadelphia Henry Altemus. No apparent date.

A: Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Sanspareil Series. This publisher’s series of reprints included 104 volumes. Each book originally was sold with a dust jacket. An example is shown.

Q: What can you tell me about this book Thoughts Of The Emperor-Marcus Aurelius Antoninus by George Long. There are no inscriptions on the front cover. There is just Henry Altemus Philadelphia inside. No apparent date.

A: This book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1898. All of the 109 titles in this series are reprints and originally came in a labeled box. During this year this cover has been seen in various colors. Some samples are shown below.

Here is a 19th century ledger published by Altemus and Co. These blank books are incredibly scarce. The only evidence that it was published by Altemus is the label that was pasted on the inside front cover. This was also the case with the other two ledgers/blank books shown on this page: http://henryaltemus.com/publications/ledgers.htm

The Altemus 26 South Fourth Street address indicates a book from the 1880’s. This ledger was obviously produced for the Safe Harbor Safe Deposit Company. It has 440 pages. It is 14 x 9.5.