Q: I found this book with my deceased grandfather’s belongings. I have not been able to locate a date in the book and was wondering if you could help. Emerson’s Essays, Second Series

A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909-1912.

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

It originally was sold within a box. A representative example is shown below.

Q: I’m trying to identify/date the book in the attached photo. Title page states “Henry Altemus”, NOT “Henry Altemus Company” so apparently this is pre-1900. However I can’t find this particular cover anywhere on your site.

A: Your book is an 1897 publication of the Vademecum Series.

During this year, the titles in this series were published in a number of different colors. Some examples are shown below.

Q: What can you tell me about this book? A Christmas Carol

A: This book is part of the Yuletide Series.

This series of eight titles all were published in limp velvet calf between 1912 and 1916.

All of the books originally came within a labeled box.

Q: Hello I recently found this book (Uncle Tom’s Cabin) published by Henry Altemus and I was wondering if you had some information on it like the published date because there isn’t one stated. Any information you know regarding this book would be awesome! Thank you.

A: Your book is a reprint and was published in 1901-1902 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

During these years the titles in this series had a stereotyped decorative pattern on the left side of the cover in either pink or beige. On the right side there was a picture of either one of sixteen flowers (lilacs here) or artwork done by Alphonse Mucha.

This two page flyer advertises The Arkansaw Bear by Albert Bigelow Paine. It is 6.25″ x 3.5″. It advertises book #1 in the series. The pamphlet has a number of illustrations by Frank Ver Beck. These pictures are all in the book.

This advertising piece was probably published 1902-1910 time frame.

Q: I have inherited a copy of the “Hyperion” by Longfellow published by Altemus. I’m interested in finding out its value if any. Please take a look at the pictures I’ve included and contact me if you can help. Thank you.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It is a reprint of a not very collectible title and therefore will be hard to sell.

During 1900 the covers of this format have been seen in numerous colors. Some are shown below.

Q: Hello I have this book and would like you to look at the cover. I went thru the ones you have shown and I did not see it. The book is Cranford and original owner wrote a to and from on Christmas 1900.

A: This is an 1897 book published in the Vademecum Series. The titles in this series are all reprints.

In 1897 these books were published in a number of different color covers. Originally they came in a labeled box. An example is shown below.

Q: Was wondering info on this book and how much it might be worth Now days? (Weird Tales by Edgar Allan Poe)

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

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

A Poe collector may give you a few dollars. Otherwise this reprint will be hard to sell.

Q: Good Afternoon,
Would you be able to tell me the approximate publishing date of these Altemus Publications of Milton’s Paradise Lost? Paradise Regained?

A: These book are part of the Vademecum Series and were published between 1909-1912.

They are reprints as are all of the book of this longstanding publisher’s series. The books were published with numerous different appliqués on the cover. Originally, these books came within a labeled box which is shown below.

Here is a one sided advertising piece for Natural Law in the Spiritual World. This little flyer is 6″ x 3.5″.

There is no evidence that this title was published as a non series book.

Based on the address and general look of the flyer, it was published in the 1890-1894 era.

In this time frame Natural Law in the Spiritual World appeared in three series:

Altemus Library
Fairmount Series
Laurel Series

The books in these series did not cost 50 cents and were not “maroon and white” as per the flyer.

Thus, a mystery.