Q: I have a Cranford by Ms. Gaskell book that I can’t identify the cover. I think it is 1901 Vademecum Series but not sure, would you know. I have attached the photos. Any help to identify which one this is would be very helpful if you have the time.

A: You are correct. This book was published in 1901 as part of the Vademecum Series. As with all the titles in this publisher’s series, it is a reprint. More than 40 different applique pictures have been seen on this cover template.

The book originally came within a labeled box.

For more information see: Henry Altemus Company – Vademecum Series (later numbering) Series 180 and Henry Altemus Company – Vademecum Series / European Artists

Q: Can you tell me about this book? The Pilgrim’s Progress
  Picked it up for a friend because it looked interesting.

A: Your book is from the Young People’s Library-Format 4. It was published between 1923 and 1933.

See Henry Altemus Company – Young People’s Library Series 202 for exact dating information.

The dust jacket matches the book. This title was also seen with a variant applique on the cover. (Shown below)

Format 2- Earlier dust jacket

Miss Toosey’s Mission

#8 Early Dust Jacket-Later	#8 Early-Later

Q: Recently I came into possession of an older Henry Altemus print, “The Essays of Lord Bacon.” From what I can find online, it appears to be in the Sanspareil Series, but I am unsure because the marbled cover and binding seem different from the examples on your website.

I have included photos of the title page, as well as the cover and spine. Any help identifying this book would be greatly appreciated.

A: Your book is either from the Altemus Library (Henry Altemus Company – Altemus Library Series 37) , the Laurel Series (Henry Altemus Company – Laurel Series (Two volume sets) Series 119), or the Fairmount Series (Henry Altemus Company – Fairmount Series 83).

In order to determine the exact series the book belongs to you would need the box which the book originally came in. The boxes were labeled with the book title and series name. Unfortunately the boxes are rarely found.

Q: Could you tell me about this copy? The Scarlet Letter

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. It originally came within a labeled box.

See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

It is a reprint and in my opinion, in this condition has nominal value on a good day.

Q: Please help me determine the year of this book, The Lady of the Lake. I can not find the cover anywhere. If you can share with me the edition and history and if it’s rare I would love to hear more. Thank you so much! 

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1908-1909. It originally came within a labeled box. Example below.

See: Henry Altemus Company – Petit Trianon (Third numbering) Series 143

It is not a very collectible title and therefore only has nominal value.

In 1911 the “Stories from History Series” was released. The titles were previously in the Young People’s Library. At that time 27 titles were deleted from the Young People’s Library series and those titles became this series. See: Henry Altemus Company – Stories from History Series 170

The only differences between the books of this series and those titles previously in the Young People’s Library is found on the dust jacket where the name of the series is noted on the spine and the book list of the series is on the back of the jacket and the back ads where the “Stories from History” titles are shown.

The books of this series are quite scarce.

In 1901-1902 Altemus featured illustrations copied some of the works of Alphonse Mucha, the Czechoslavakian artist, in its Petit Trianon Series.

Henry Altemus Company – Petit Trianon (Third numbering) Series 143

A new Petit Trianon cover with a Mucha illustration has been discovered. This cover is from a 1903-1904 book. It is likely that the other Mucha picture is also on a 1903-1904 book cover.