Lives of the Presidents of the United States by Prescott Holmes (Young People’s Library)

This is one of the more interesting books published by Altemus (Lives of the Presidents of the United States). Published from 1896 to the mid-teens, the text of the book was changed to reflect updated information.
The first book listed presidents up to Grover Cleveland (who was in office until January, 1897) while the last reprints listed Woodrow Wilson who was inaugurated in 1913.

Thus these books can be dated based on the presidents listed as well as the ads in the back (and sometimes the front).

The first edition appeared in the Young People’s Library Format 1. (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm). The books in this format include the first edition with 1896 at the base of the title page and listed only to Grover Cleveland in the back of the book. Later editions in this format list to William McKinley.

In the Young People’s Library Format 2- http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F2.htm (1898-1902) the earliest book which has a picture of George Washington on the cover and lists to McKinley in the back of the book. The newest of this format’s books list Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency which began in 1901. There is an in between book which has the new Format 2 cover but lists only to McKinley. See pictures.

In the Format 3 editions, books after 1909 list William Howard Taft. Books prior to 1909 list Roosevelt.

In 1911 a number titles (including this one) were deleted from the Young People’s Library and were combined to make the Stories from History Series.http://henryaltemus.com/series/series170.htm The only book I have from this series lists to Woodrow Wilson who took office in 1913. I assume there is an earlier book in this series that lists only Taft (after 1909 but before 1913).

Order of Editions:

Young People’s Library Format 1
1. 1896 on the title page/White House frontispiece/ lists to Grover Cleveland in the back of the book. (360 pages)
2. No date on Henry Altemus title page/White House frontispiece/ Lists to Mckinley (359 pages)

Young People’s Library- Format 2
3. 1898 on the Henry Altemus title page/White House frontispiece/Lists to Mckinley (282 pages)
4. Henry Altemus Company title page-no date/Inauguration frontispiece/ Lists to McKinley (282 pages)
5. Henry Altemus Company title page-no date/ Inauguration frontispiece/ Lists to Roosevelt (292 pages)

Young People’s Library- Format 3
6.Henry Altemus Company title page- no date/ Inauguration frontispiece/Lists to Taft (292 pages)

Stories from History
7. Henry Altemus Company title page-no date/Inauguration frontispiece/Lists to Wilson (292 pages)