Q: I have a friend who has a first edition of Lives of the Presidents copyright 1899. Any idea what it might be worth?

A: Your friend’s book is not the first edition of this title. The first edition can be seen here as book #13.
http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm

As you can see the cover looks quite different.

Your book is pictured here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F2.htm

The book you sent is a format 2 book whereas the earlier book is a format 1 book.

Without the dust jacket it has nominal value.

Format 2

First Format