Q: Hello, I have an antique copy of the light of asia, and it says it was published by henry altemus in 1842 or so. Can i have some more information on the book, along with possible worth? Thanks so much!

A: It was not published in 1842. The 1842 refers to when the company was started by Joseph Altemus, Henry’s father. Henry was born in 1833 and probably did not do much work at the age of nine.

Your book was one of many reprints of this title that Altemus published between the early 1890’s and the teens. It is part of the Beauxarts Series. (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series47.htm)

Generally these publisher’s series reprints only have more than nominal value if they have a collectible title, like Alice in Wonderland for example.