Henry Altemus Company

 

Young People's Library

 

 

Perhaps the most popular and longest running series that Altemus published was the Young People’s Library. From 1895 until 1933 this series was published in varying formats with varying book lists. It consisted of juvenile fairy tales and stories in addition to a few nonfiction books.

The multiple formats and their variations as well as the ever changing numbering can make books from this series somewhat difficult to date. Complicating the picture is the fact that other Altemus series occasionally used either the plates, dust jackets or covers for their books. The Favorite Series, the Ever New Series and the Boys and Girls Classics are examples.

There are four basic formats. The first two had fairly short print runs and can be identified easily by the characteristic pattern of the spines of the books.

Formats 1, 2, 3 & 4 are shown here. The books included within these formats are shown if you click on Young People's Library Format 1, Format 2, Format 3 or Format 4. Format 1 was published from 1895-1898. Format 2 was published between 1898-1902. Format 3 was published from 1902-1923. Format 4 was published from 1923-1933.

This series with its multiple formats can be quite hard to understand. Contact me if you have any questions.

Format 1

Format 2

Format 3

Format 4

 

Identify your format by the spine of your book.

Format 1

Format 2

Format 3

Format 4

 

 

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Last Revision January 28, 2010