Q: Through some research online, I finally stumbled upon your website. Hopefully you can help. Over some time I’ve had this book (Uncle Tom’s Cabin) on my shelf and have been trying to find exactly when it was published and if it is of any value. There’s an inscription inside dating back to 1901. I hope that you will have some answers. I attached images of the cover, spine, inscription, and a few illustrations.

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1901-1902. It was originally published within a labeled box. During this year the lady on the left was published in blue, pink and beige (here). Examples shown below. On the right half of the cover one of sixteen flowers were pictured.
It only has nominal value.

Q: Dear Sir:
I have a copy of Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass” I have studied your web site (and your warnings about false claims on e-bay) and not been able to locate a similar edition. If I decide to sell the book (which I assume to be not very valuable), I do not want to misrepresent it. I am attaching photos of the cover, cover interior, the frontispiece and front illustration, some illustrations and some of the advertising (209 numbered pages, together with Altemus published by Henry Altemus advertising of books in various series). If you can tell me when it was published and whether it was part of a series, I would be most appreciative.

A: Your book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It originally came in a labeled box. In 1900 the covers in this series were stereotypical but have been seen in various colors. Some examples are shown below.

Most of the books from this series are not very valuable but there are Lewis Carroll collectors out there who may find your book very desirable.

I smiled when I saw your address. I graduated from Northwestern back in 1971. Of course, that was when Evanston was really a sleepy little town.

This sample book is from the early 1890’s. The door to door publisher’s representative would show this book to prospective buyers. This book highlights Format 1 of the Dore’s Masterpieces Series.

This is the second Salesman Sample book of this series that I have seen. This book differs a bit from the other one. Its condition is not quite as good and I think two of the covers that would have been part of the book may have been removed.

The external covers have Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dante’s Inferno, Note that the other sample book has these two covers internally. Milton’s Paradise Lost was bound upside down. The covers are 12″ x 9.75″.

Inside the front cover are three sample spines.

Within the book are excerpts from Dore’s Bible Gallery, Dante’s Inferno, and Milton’s Paradise Lost. Interestingly a one page flyer advertising Paradise Lost is tipped in at the first page of its excerpt.

In the back are a number of pages of customers who had ordered one of these books. The addresses are all in the northern California area (Sacramento, Stockton, etc.)

Q: Hello, I was wondering if you could provide any information about this particular copy of Byron’s ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage’.

A: Your book is part of the Sanspareil Series and was published in 1898.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. It originally came with a dust jacket. A representative dust jacket is shown below.
It has nominal value.

Q: I was going through some old family property and found this edition of Through the Looking Glass. I was wondering if you have an insight on its value and the other books that may accompany it.

A: Your book is part of the Young People’s Library, Format 2. It was published between 1898-1900. It originally had a dust jacket. Henry Altemus incorporated in 1900 so your book had to be published in 1900 or earlier.

You can date it exactly by looking at the dating information here: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series202F2.htm

This is a very collectible book although it generally does not sell for as much as Carroll’s Alice book. Even though it is quite common, I have seen it sell for anywhere between $10-100. This price range is inexplicable.