Q: I have looked all over the internet for a book like this one and have had no luck. It is about 5 1/2 inches and the handwritten inscription says it was a gift in 1916. What can you tell me about this book (Rip Van Winkle)? I appreciate your time.

A: Hello, Your book is part of the Classics Series and was published in the 1907 or so era. It originally came with a dust jacket. An example is shown.

It only has nominal value.

Q: I purchased a copy of The Scarlet Letter, by Hawthorne, while on vacation in Florida. The cover design caught my attention and I just had to have it. I cannot for the life of me, however, find a similar copy online anywhere.
I read your blog post regarding the “preface to the second edition,” and had assumed that this must have been a reprinting error/quirk, but I wanted to make sure since it doesn’t appear to be dated anywhere.
I’ve attached a photo of the cover and the title page. It looks like a Beauxart series print but that’s just a guess on my part. I was wondering if you could possibly give me any further info regarding the book, its printing date, etc.

A: Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1902. It originally came in a labeled box. See below for an example.

As you have realized, your book is a reprint of the second edition, not the second edition.

This book only has nominal value.

Q: I came across a early copy of “The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow” and was hoping you could provide some insight as to the edition and year published. If possible, could you also render an opinion on the value? Thanks for your assistance.

A: Your book is part of the Love and Friendship Series. It is part of Format 2. The exact date of publication is not known but the range is between 1902 and around 1905.

This book originally came with a dust jacket. (A sample is shown below.) The format 2 books have been seen with two different colors on the left side of the cover. The right side has one of sixteen different flower pictures.

Your book is a reprint, has little collector interest and will be hard to sell at any price.

Q: Can you identify the year of publication? Is it worth anything? They are In Memoriam by Tennyson, The Princess and Maud also by Tennyson and Bab Ballads and Savoy Songs by Gilbert.
Thank you for your help.

A: Your books are part of the Vademecum Series and were published in 1898. They are all reprints.

They only have nominal value.

Today I am adding a new book cover picture to the Holly Tree Series. This picture is a Format 2- #5 (Later edition).

Here is a brief review of this series’ formats.

All twelve books were published by Altemus in 1904. There are two different formats.

The first format has been seen in a number of different cover colors. These books have a centrally placed illustrated paste-on and one of four flowers as appliqués on each side of the cover. A representative dust jacket is shown. This format was published between 1904 and 1908.

Format 1

The second format has a line drawn illustration on the front cover with a matching dust jacket. Illustrated endpapers (between 1909 and 1910) drawn by J. R. Neill. Note that the later books has plain endpapers. Also the earlier cover has more coloring than the later book.

Earlier Format 2	Later Format 2

For more details about this series see: Holly Tree Series