Q: I acquired this book (Christian Living) and was wondering if you could give me any information on it.

A: Your book is part of the Golden Treasury Series. It was published in 1899.

Different color covers have been seen. (Shown here)

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Q: Hello, I came across this old book (The House of the Seven Gables) and was wanting a little info and if it holds any value? Thank you for your time.

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

These 1901 books came in a number of different colors. More than 43 different cover appliqués have been seen. The books originally came within labeled box.

Only very collectible titles have any real value. Your book is not one of them. It only has nominal value.

Q: I don’t know if it’s of any interest, but this tome resides in my home library: Black Beauty, Henry Altemus Publishing, 4”x6” format, B&W drawings, 254 numbered pages. Yet another undated version?

A: This book was published originally in a labeled box (a box is shown) in 1897. All the books of the Vademecum Series (like this one) are reprints.

During 1897 this cover format was published with several different colors. Some are shown here.

Q: Rarity? Value? Thank you. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

A: I am asked about the Altemus versions of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass frequently.

All of Altemus’ formats are reprints and there are quite a number of them. All are described here: http://henryaltemus.com/alice/alice.htm.

These titles are very collectible. The value of course is in the eyes of the beholder. Of interest is that the format that frequently sells (and is listed) for significant money is extremely common. That cover is from the Young People’s Library Format 2 and 3. This book is listed with the copyright of 1897 but most copies advertised for sale were actually published in the teens.

The very common cover 1898-1923 version

Your book above is from the first format of the Young People’s Library. It is scarcer than the book with the queen on the cover.

For what it’s worth here are some of my favorite Altemus versions. (all our shown on the website above)

Q: Found this book (Balzac’s Shorter Stories) and cannot find any information on it. Curiosity has gotten the best of me.

A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901. See http://henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm

In 1901 this series was published in at least seven cover colors. More than 43 paste-ons (appliqués) have been seen. For more information see the website noted above.

Q: I was wondering if you could tell me anything about this book. I bought it several years ago, put it away and pretty much forgot about it. The Song of Hiawatha

A: Your book is part of the Gem Series.

It was published between 1910 and 1912. Originally it came in a labeled box. An example is shown.

It is a reprint. In this condition it has no value.