Q: Hi there,
I found this unique book (Rip Van Winkle) at a local antique shop, and living in the Hudson Valley, I couldn’t resist to pick this up. Do you have more information about this edition of the book, and how rare is it relative to other books published by the company? Thanks!

A: Hello,
Your book is part of the 15 volume Boys and Girls Classics Series.

The sailboat picture cover was seen between 1908 and the early teens. These books were originally sold within a floral papered labeled box.

This series used the plates from the earlier published Young Peoples Library Series. That is why the title page notes that series.
These books are relatively common.

This seven book series was written by Josephine Chase with the Jesse Graham Flower pseudonym. The first four books were published in 1914. Today I am adding a picture of the true 1914 first edition dust jacket to the database.

The first four books have been seen in two different editions. Interestingly the books of the editions are absolutely identical including the ads in the back. The only thing to distinguish the two editions is the dust jacket. Of course, the jackets of both editions are brown and uncoated as is typical for all 1914 and earlier Altemus publications.

The earlier dust jacket (first edition) has red coloring in the window and red border lines on the front cover. The earlier book states Altemus’ Famous Grace Harlowe Books on the reverse of the jacket. It also shows the series as The College Girl Series not The College Girls Series (as is noted later).

The later jacket is has more ads on the back of the jacket. It also lists six Automobile Girls Series books not five as are noted in the ads in the back of the book.

This long running series (1904-1931) has three formats. The third format (1917-1931) is the most familiar with the grey covers, book appropriate appliqué and dust jackets that match the cover. Books were republished yearly so the earliest numbers are the easiest to find whereas the later issues are the most scarce. Thus the books published in 1930 and 1931 (#34-37) are hard to find since they may have been reprinted only once or not at all.

Here is Book #36- Little Miss Duck. It is written by A. E. H. and illustrated by Bess Goe Willis. It was published in 1930. Today I am adding the picture of its dust jacket to the database.

Q: May I have some info on this book and its estimated value? Thank you
UNCLE TOM’S CABIN illustrated copyright 1894 green cover with lighthouse

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901.

It originally came with a labeled box. The books of this format have been seen with a number of different cover colors and more than forty different cover pictures.

Your book is a reprint and has limited value.

There are a number of collectors however of this title so you never know what someone might pay.

Q: Hello, I am curious to know if my book has any value.

Info I know…Kidnapped copyright 1898 by Altemus Publishing Philadelphia: series 101.

Any information will be helpful…

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series-Series #180 and was published in 1899.

It originally came within a labeled box.

Since this is a reprint of a common title, it has little value.