In the mid-1800’s Altemus and Company was known as a book bindery not a book publisher. Examples of the numerous Altemus bindings are very hard to find however. This is mainly because most books have no mention of Altemus on the bindings or in the text.

See http://henryaltemus.com/publications/bindery.htm for more information.

There are exceptions however. Here is a great example of an 1848 book published by the Boston firm of Phillips and Sampson. This book, Christmas Blossoms, has an ornately decorative cover which has a gold gilt floral pattern. On the bottom left of the gold gilt pattern the words “Altemus Binder” are printed. Also the keen eye can see “Phi” also (indicating Philadelphia).

Interestingly, the Christmas Blossoms book of 1849 has the same cover with the same Altemus writing on the cover. That book was published by E.H. Butler of Philadelphia.

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