Q: I found an old book in my grandmothers home title is Black Rock Tale of the Selkirks. It has a leather type of dust cover says Whittier, There is an inscription inside Lucy E. Swisher, Meadville, PA Dec 25th 1901. I believe Lucy was my grandmothers sister, this may have been a Christmas gift, my great grandfather was a traveling preacher. I have attached pictures. Any information would be appreciated. There is not any dates as of printing it just says Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901.

During this year the more than 40 different appliqué pictures have been seen on at least 7 different color covers.

The jacket is not an original one. This book came within a labeled box. The author is Ralph Connor. Whittier has no relationship to this book.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

For more information see http://henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm