Henry Altemus Company

The following are questions submitted via email by our visitors.

If you have a question about Altemus books that you'd like answered please click on the Questions link at the bottom left of this page.

Vademecum Series

Q:  My mother gave me a Treasure Island book. Would you please let me know the year it was printed and the value. Here are a few pictures of the book.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896.

It is a reprint and worth a few dollars.

Ever New Series

Q:  Can you help me with a copyright date for this book? Black Beauty

A:  Your books is part of the 16 volume Ever New Series and was published in 1915. The first Altemus publication of this title was in 1896 but it was published by other firms previously. All of the Altemus copies of this title are reprints.

The books of this series are identical to the same titles in the Young People’s Library except these books are a bit larger and have the decorative pattern at the base off the front cover. They are much scarcer also.

Here is the same title in the Young People’s Library -Format 3.

Vademecum Series

Q:  What can you tell me about the attached book (Emerson's Essays) – date of publication, series, value, etc. Thanks very much.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901.

It it a reprint and was originally sold within a labeled box.

Because it is a print of a not very collectible title, it has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi I have the book Line Upon Line, it appears to be very old. It has a copyright stamp of 1897 by Henry Altemus. Just wondering if you could tell me if it's worth anything? Or maybe you could direct me to someone that may know about this book.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900.

It originally was sold within a labeled box. It is a reprint.

This book is worth maybe a couple of dollars.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this Black Beauty book it has written inside by the owner the date August 7, '05. And I'm 100% sure it's not 2005 as the book has been in my family as long as I can remember and I'm 80. After looking through your identifications I do not find the exact cover. There is no published date inside and the last pages are listings of publications. I think I'm safe in assuming the book has no monetary value as it appears that many and varied books were printed for all titles. But am curious as to its published date. It's a cute little book.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and is a reprint as are all of the Vademecum Series’ titles. It was published in 1905-1906. Four different flower patterns have been noted as appliqués’. This year’s books have been seen with various colors and originally came boxed. See here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I recently purchased a book named The Water-Babies by Charles Kingsley that was published by Henry Altemus Company. I would really appreciate your help in identifying the date in which this book was published. Enclosed is a picture of the cover of the book.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. During this year the titles which are all reprints had the pedestal on the left half of the front cover (beige, pink or blue) and one of 16 flowers on the left. It was originally sold within a labeled box. See here.

Kipling Series

Q:  I picked this book up because I love Kipling and was curious about it, i saw that it is part of a series - do you know anything else? Is it rare? I cant seem to find it on any rare book sites. Thanks! On the City Wall

A:  Your book is part of the 21 title Kipling Series. This set was published in 1899-1900. Kipling books were reprinted by numerous firms and are not especially rare.

This book was originally published with a dust jacket.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I've been carrying this book around for years. Was wondering if was a collector item. House of the Seven Gables

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909-1912. It is a reprint (as are all of the titles in this series) of a not very desirable title and thus has only nominal value.

It was originally released within a label box. An example is shown here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  According to your website this book cover is referenced as 1897 book, but inside this one shows copyright 1895.

Could you explain this for me?

A:  The copyright date is not necessarily the date of publication. In this instance, your book which is part of the publisher’s Petit Trianon Series was published in 1897. For books of this series, the cover changed every year or so. Thus, the year can be determined by the cover. These yearly covers are shown on the series website.

See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series141.htm

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  I'd like to know more about this book. I did not find it described on your website. Chicken Little

An inscription says that the book was in the 1906 San Fransisco earthquake and was owned by a Mrs. Bresson. Is it a rare book? Does it have any value?

Thank you for any information you can provide.

A:  Your book is part of the ten volume Banbury Cross Series and is pictured here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series44.htm

It was published in 1904 and originally came with a dust jacket.

It has nominal value.