Q: Hello, I have a Kipling book: With the Main Guard. It doesn’t have a year, but it states Philadelphia: Henry Altemus behind cover. It’s a small 65 page book, leather-bound; from the library of Robert W. Speck. What do you think the year is? And perhaps value. Thank you so much.

A: This Kipling title only appeared in one Altemus series, The Kipling Series. The 21 title series was published in 1899. There is only one format. These small volumes (6.25″ x 4.25″) are relatively uncommon and dust jacketed books can be considered rare.

A representative book and dust jacket is shown here.