The Format 2 books of the Young People’s Library were published between 1898 and 1902. Even though this format was short lived, most of the book titles have been seen with more than one cover variant. Occasionally a title has more than one cover picture. More frequently a title has the same cover picture with different colors.

Here is an example. The earlier Robinson Crusoe has gold gilt as opposed to the later one which has a plain yellow coloring. Also note that the earlier book has the Henry Altemus imprint which denotes a pre-1900 publication.

Here is the earlier book:

Later edition:
This book has the Henry Altemus Company imprint indicating a 1900 or later printing.

For more information see Young People’s Library Format 2.