Q: I have this book (In Memoriam) and wondered if you could tell me it’s worth. It has a name written in it and 1907. Attached are 2 pictures. It is in very good shape.

A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1903.

During this year the cover has been seen in a number of different colors and over 40 appliqués have been noted. It was published within a labeled box. A sample is shown below.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. This title is not widely collected or desired and thus it has only nominal value.

Q: Hello, I have found three books that my great great grandfather must have dated 1898 and I am wondering if they have any value. I have attached the cover same for all three.
1. “Sator Restartus” by Thomas Carlyle
2. “Mulvaney Stories” by Rudyard Kipling
3. Poems by Oliver Wendell Holmes
thanks for any info you have!

A: Your books are part of the Sanspareil Series. They were published in 1898 and originally had dust jackets. See below for an example.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

Since none of your books have very desirable/collectible titles, they only have nominal value.

Q: I can only send a picture of the cover with difficulty, if you might have patience…I have a small ochre book entitled Poe’s Poems, published by Henry Altemus out of Philadelphia, 1895, with illustrative engravings. It has gold stripes and gold floral wreath & decorative flowers on the cover. Do you have any knowledge of this book? thank you!

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896.

It is a reprint.

The Saalfield Publishing Company reprinted a number of Altemus juvenile series. Starting in 1934 books generally came boxed in sets of three.
Here is the information about the Meadow-Brook Series.

Meadow-Brook Girls Series #1356 Janet Aldridge
This series had two Saalfield reprint formats. All six of the original Altemus books were first published by Saalfield in 1934. The boxed sets had a random selection of three books. The later publications are 8.125 x 5.5. The earlier books are 7.625 x 5.25.

The later books are numbered #3757, #3758, #3759.

1. Under Canvas
2. Across Country
3. Afloat
4. In the Hills
5. By the Sea
6. On the Tennis Courts

Early boxed set
Later format reprints

Q: Hello, is this a valuable book (Evangeline)? It belonged to my Great Aunt Cora who was a school teacher.

A: The Classics Series was published between 1907 and 1909 and consisted of 76 reprinted titles. Your book’s format originally came with dust jackets. A representative dust jacket picture is shown below.

These books were published in a number formats and yours is the most commonly seen of the five.

Unless the title is one that is very desired and collectible, it generally is a hard sell for more than a few dollars.

Q: This book has 1896 inscribed inside to Bradley from Aunt Mary. I am hoping to find out more about this book, when it was published etc. It is a copy of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

Appreciate any help you can provide in gaining more information about this book.

A: Your book is part of the long running (1894-1926) Vademecum Series. This publisher’s series of reprints generally had a different cover during each year of publication (up until the 1908 and later era).

Your book was published in 1896 and originally was sold within a labeled box.
Several cover colors have been seen. They are shown below.

Q: Can you tell me what edition and possible value? The Meadow-Brook Girls by the Sea

A: The titles in this six book series were first published in 1913 and 1914. The first two formats have the same cover as your book. They are distinguished by the dust jackets. See: Meadow-Brook Girls Series

The third format has a full cover appliqué. The third format was published beginning in 1924. The first two were printed between 1913-1924.

Without a dust jacket, the books of this series have little value. In poor shape, they are hard to sell at any price.

The various jacket formats are shown below:

Early first format jacket	Later first format jacket	Early second format jacket

Later second format jacket

Third format jacket (matches appliqué cover)

Q: Dear Expert, I found Black Beauty at a garage sale and its always been one of my favorites. But this one has no copyright date. I know it’s a reprint by Henry Altemus Co. Philadelphia and I believe it’s from the Vademecum series but my eyes are starting to cross from so much info. The front cover has a tear but the picture looks like grass or wheat. I sure could use your help in drawing. Thank you.

A: You are right about your book. It is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901.

Here is the entire picture. For more info: http://henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm

Q: Hello!
Re: Uncle Tom’s Cabin – Henry Altemus Company
We are trying to find out information about a book. We have attached pictures of the book. We would like to know the year the book was printed and the current value.
Please let us know if you need further information.
Thank you!

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series.

It was published in 1901-1902. During this year, the left half of the front cover had the stereotyped decorative pattern in either blue, pink or beige. The right half of the cover pictured one of sixteen different flowers.

It is one of a myriad of reprints of this title. Unless someone loves the cover, it has only nominal value.

Q: Hello. I have attached several pics of John Milton’s ‘Paradise Regained/Samson Agonistes.’ Was this edition copyrighted in 1899 by Henry Altemus as shown on one of the pages or later? Also how many copies of this combined book were put into circulation? And last what is the value? Thank you.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. A number of different color covers were published. See below.

I do not know how many of these were published but this title is very common.

In perfect shape this Altemus format is a tough sell. In average or poor shape it has little or no value.