Q: Hi—Finally took some photos of the book. I would like to know if there is a market for a first edition 1896 of “Altemus’ Favorite Series The Fables of Aesop.” It’s in fairly good condition, binding still fine, with beat-up but readable dust jacket. There is a raven or crow dropping a ball into an urn on the dust jacket and cover. There is a stamped name and date on the inside first blank page, but I haven’t seen any other marks except for some slight grease marks (fingers?) on a few pages. I have looked online and couldn’t find any other copies for sale or wanted, and only found it listed on your site. Please advise.

A: Your book is part of Altemus’ Favorirte Series. This is a series of nineteen books which are all reprints came in two different formats. The book above is a second format book (1902-1910) and the covers of this format are the same as those in the Young People’s Library. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series87.htm

The date of publication can be determined by looking at the ads in the back of the book and following the information in the “series notes” on the page above. This book is a reprint.

I think it is a very nice book especially because you have the original dust jacket. It can be hard to estimate the value. Generally this book with the jacket would sell for about $15-25. Dealers might list it for much more but unless someone just has to have it, the book will remain unsold. Sometimes a similar book will not sell at all at any price. I guess you just never know.