Q: My book cover seems to fit the 1912 Era but not sure. The Chimes. There is no publish date and no ads in the back. Would love to know more about the book please. Looking for publish date, and I guess value too etc.. Thank you so much for your time. I love old books as I do much of things from history.

A: This format was seen with both the Classics Series and the Slip-in-the-Pocket Series. The exact series cannot be determined without a dust jacket.

This book was published in the 1907-1915 time range. It is a reprint.

In this condition it has little, if any, value.

Today I am adding a new picture to the database for this series.

The Young People’s Library has four formats. They are easily distinguished by the spine decoration. The third format which was published between 1902 and 1923 has the spines shown below.

Two different dust jackets and two different color covers have been seen for Aesop’s Fables (#7 in this series).

The earlier jacket has green clouds behind the bird whereas in the other jacket the clouds are brown.

The earlier cover is blue while the later one is light tan.

Leinbach and Bro. was a clothier in Reading, Pennsylvania. Each year from 1892 to 1915 this firm would give away Altemus books as a promotion.

An advertisement for the store was placed in the front and the back of the book. These ads were changed yearly. Examples of the books and ads are shown here: http://www.henryaltemus.com/ephemera/leinbach.htm

Today I am adding to the Leinbach section an 1892 book.

Q: I have a Henry Altemus Rip Van Winkle book and have done some research on your website. It appears to be a Series 58 or 59. It says “Henry Altemus Company” on the Title Page. However, I see that you suggested to another person to look in the back of the book and date some of those books to see what year the book is. I’m not sure how to go about doing this as there are so many books listed. I’d like to see what my book may be worth. Any help you could afford me is greatly appreciated!!

A: Hello,
Regardless of the date it has little value. This book is in rather poor shape.

Regarding dating your book:
It was published between 1900 and 1906. To be more exact–
Start here:
Look at the ads in the back. Then look at this page: Boys and Girls Classics
See where it says Formats 1 and 3. Follow the directions.

Q: I just purchased a book “House of the Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, copyright 1892, by Henry Altemus. Bound in a decorative burgundy and green with red flowers, with gold highlights. I paid $20 at an estate sale. From what I can see on this web site, I overpaid. Any additional information would be appreciated.

A: Your book was published in 1897 and is part of the Library of Standard Authors.

It is a reprint and has nominal value.