Q: I was trying to do some investigating about a book that I was given by my mother in 1968. It was given to her by a school teacher for Christmas in 1932. The book is Black Beauty. There is no copyright date other than by a photo inside that shows a date under the picture of a man and a black horse. That says Copyright 1899, by Henry Altemus. The cover is light blue with gold & burgandy flowers on the cover. The spine of the book is also decorated with the same gold & burgandy colors. The book measures 6.75″ x 4.5″. Attached is a photo that may help you help me. If this can be identified, do you also know the value. Is this something that should be insured?

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1900.

During this year the covers have been seen in many different colors. Some of them are shown below. These books originally came within a labeled box.

Your book is a reprint and only has nominal value.