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:  Can you give me info. on this book - Emerson's Essays Second Series published by Henry Altemus Co in Phila?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909 and 1912.

It is a reprint and originally was sold within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

It is not a title that is in demand and thus it only has nominal value.

Classics Series/Vademecum Series

Q:  I have two small books with no dates (see attached for covers). The "Poems" book has someone's handwritten notation that reads "Downey, March 18th, 1894". Can you please tell me when these were published and if they have any value?

A:  The "Poems" entitled book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1894. It is a reprint. There are many Poe collectors out there and one if them may find your book of interest. I suspect less than $20 though. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm

The "Sonnets" is part of the Classics Series and was published in the 1907-1909 era. It is also a reprint. This book only has nominal value. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series69.htm

Dore Masterpieces Series

Q:  Hello, I recently bought this Altemus copy of Milton's Paradise Lost at an estate sale. I find no publication date. the copy is in fine condition.
Interestingly, it included an 8 sided fold out catalog stuck in the front cover. Considering the age, the catalog is in remarkable condition. I'm curious about the publication year, value and rarity of these items. I've sent some pictures, yet the lighting filter kept changing. Thank you for any info.

A:  Your book is from the Dore Masterpieces Series. It appears to have the pebbled cloth and is therefore a Format 2 book. These volumes were published between 1889 and 1901.

I think is is fair to assume that the advertising flyer was printed at about the same time as the book. It can provide some hints at the date. The Dore Bible Gallery in German is pictured. This was initially published in 1892.

Also noted in the ad is Addresses by Drummond. This format was published between 1891 and 1893. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/images/NS_2.htm

Thus, I would think your book was published in 1892-1893.

Those books in pretty good shape can sell for $50-150. Totally unpredictable.

The advertising flyers are fairly uncommon. I have seen one other 8 page flyer and it is different from yours. I would price it at $25-50. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/flyers/flyer-S78.htm

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  We have a copy of Peter Rabbit in the beige cover color, with end page illustrations. Your site explains that it would be a Second Edition, Second Format, and date from 1908-1912, but that it should not have the end page illustrations. Can you please help us further identify it?

We know to ignore the 1904 date on the title page.

The title page reads:
Philadelphia
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
Copyright, 1904, by Henry Altemus

The book is 123 pages long, and has the blank pages, so the only odd thing about it, as far as we can tell, is that it has end page illustrations.

Is this still a 1908-1912, Second Edition, Second Format, or is it a Second Edition, First Format?

Our concern is that we correctly identify it before we try to sell it.

A:  Altemus published the first American edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series. Some of the very early beige Peter Rabbits did have the end paper illustrations. For more information, see: http://www.henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hey there. I recently purchased this at an antique store and am inquiring of its value. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!! Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 1. This format was published between 1895 and 1898.

When this book sells, usually it is in the $25-50 range. Recently a copy sold for $115.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, I would like some information on my book please. Attaching a picture of the front cover and the 1st few pages. Idylls of the King

A:  Your book is part of the publisher's series- Beauxarts Series.

This cover format was published 1902. This cover came in several colors.

All of the titles in this series are reprints and were sold within labeled boxes. See here.

Only collectible titles have any real value. Unfortunately your book's title is not very desirable.

Marqueterie Series

Q:  Found this pretty little book at an estate sale. I believe it is from the Marqueterie Series. I was wondering if it has any value. There is a double of the last page as seen in the photos. The House of the Seven Gables

A:  Your book is part of the Marqueterie Series. This series was published only in 1899 with stereotyped covers. All of the titles are reprints.

Some of the more collectible titles have some value, i.e. Alices's Adventure in Wonderland.

Your book is not a very desired title.

Young People's Library, Format 1

Q:  GOOD EVENING-I think I have a rare & scarce & valuable book? I was going to put it on Ebay but decided to do more research and then found your info. I hope you can help me.
I have a ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Lewis Carroll beige/silver-tone hardback. I think dating from 1895. Could be one of a combination of two. Says on top of title page: ALTEMUS YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. With 42 black & white ink illustrations. PHILADELPHIA HENRY ALTEMUS (has NO dust jacket)
I have found out tonight that the fact it says: HENRY ALTEMUS dates it to the correct date-1895 It is a smaller book 4 7/8" x 6 3/4" Has the Silver lettering on front with colored INK figures going diagonal from top left corner to lower right corner starting with Cheshire Cat-mouse-cards-and then Rabbit & Turtle on bottom. Haven’t found one online? In good shape for it’s age. Scuffing of corners-inside front cover is a pen scripted personal signature. Spine pulling away some. Some warping of some pages.

A:  Your book is from the first format of the Young People's Library. Since there is no date on the title page, it was published between 1896-1898. Looking at the ads and using the chart on the website- http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm- it should be easy to date the book exactly. It is not the earliest edition of this format that was published in 1895.

This book is not uncommon and usually sells on Ebay for between $25-75. The last two sold for $21 and $35.

Vademecum Series/Leinbach and Bro.

Q:  I acquired an Altemus book that appears to have been made for a local business in Reading Pa to give to customers. Mosses from an Old Manse

Its ad says they were in business since 1865 and reference 35 yrs which would put publication at around 1900.

Can you provide any info?

A:  Altemus had a long relationship with Leinbach and Bro., a Reading, Pa. department store. As early as 1892 and as late as 1915 Leinbach gave away Altemus books as some type of promotion. The books had an advertisement for Leinbach in the front and the back. Usually on the back cover there was a stamped "Compliments of Leinbach & Bro.".

For more information see: Leinbach and Bro.

The book above is a 1903 book from the Vademecum Series.

Vademecum Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book? Weird Tales

A:  This book was published as part of the Vademecum Series in 1895. It is a reprint as are all of the books in this series.

In 1895 this basic cover design was seen in a number of different colors. Some examples are shown here.