The Young People’s Library was a long running Altemus series (1895-1933) which was published in four different formats. The second format which was published between 1898 and 1902 (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F2.htm) is easily determined by its characteristic spine flower decoration.

Today I am adding a picture of the very earliest Format 2 Dust Jacket to the database.

This jacket has only 22 titles on its reverse. This is an early 1898 book. Chronologically the next jacket has 29 titles on its reverse. There is a slightly later jacket which has 31 titles.

If you are dating these books appreciate that occasionally Altemus used earlier jackets on later books. Thus, when dating use the book not the dust jacket.

Shown below are the three earliest Format 2 Dust jackets and the Format 2 spine.

Dust Jacket Front

Earliest

Early

Later

Format 2 Spines