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.

Belles-Lettres Series

Q:  I have in my possession a copy of Character, wondering what to do with it? Not sure how to grade condition, either. Any advice?

A:  Your book was published in 1896 and is part of the Belles-Lettres Series.

The titles in this series of leatherette books are not very collectible and have little value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Please any info would be great. I got book (Lucile) from my grandmother and i know nothing about it but your site was helpful thank you. i know you prolly don't appraise books but if you could just please give me a ball park idea i would hate to give something away for nothing. Thank you for your time.

A:  Hello, Your book was published in 1901-1902 and is part of the Petit Trianon Series. It is a reprint.

In this format the left half of the book front cover has a stereotyped pattern whereas the right half either has one of sixteen flower patterns or one of two illustrations done by Alphonse Mucha. Your book has a Mucha illustration.

You can read a bit about this variant here: ../about/updates112605.htm from a November 26, 2005 post.

Although your book is in nice shape, it has minimal value. Certainly less than $20.

The other Mucha cover is shown here.

Classics Series

Q:  I found this book and was hoping you could give me some information about it. It has no publication date. Milton's Poems. Thank you.

A:  Your book is from the Classics Series.

It was published in the 1907-1909 era.

It originally came with a dust jacket. See here.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of Outre Mer that has no copyright date, I would very much like to know it’s publication date. I thought perhaps that it was part of the L’Art Nouveau series. In the first few pages there is a picture of a man on a horse in battle if that is of any help. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1908-1909.

It is a reprint.

Originally it was sold within a labeled box. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  What do you think of this? No date. Knickerbocker's History of New York

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1903.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. The books were originally sold within a labeled boxes. An example is shown here.

During this year many different cloth colors have been seen. There were more than 40 appliqué pictures pasted on the cover template.

The picture on any one book is generally part of a larger picture. See here.

For more information about the paintings on the front covers of these books see Vademecum Series.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I found your webpage while trying to research background on books we are selling from our too extensive collection! I’ve been placing many of these on eBay but I don’t want to give improper information.

This book Plain Tales From The Hills, Rudyard Kipling, Philadelphia, Henry Altemus is dated 1898 but there is a loose page – I thought might have broken free from book. Is photo of author Rudyard Kipling – This photo is dated 1899 which contradicts the actual date of the book.

I have found many books listed stating this date and publishing but the do not look like this one. I would like any information you can give me on this book and edition.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. The Altemus copyright date is not necessarily the same as the publication date.

This title is a reprint and originally was sold within a labeled box. See here.

The covers of this format have a stereotyped pattern on the left. As of this time 28 decorative patterns have been seen on the right half of the cover. See website.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have 3 books from Altemus with the following titles; Essays by Bacon, Heroes and Hero Worship by Carlisle, Greek Heroes by Kingsley. They must have been a gift as they are all dedicated to Georgia P. Taylor from Elsie, birthday June 29 '98. Is there any value to the books.

A:  These books are part of the Vademecum Series and were published in 1897.

The 1897 cover formats were seen in numerous colors. Some examples are shown here. The books were originally sold within a labeled box. See here.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. Since your books do not have titles that are especially desired, their value is minimal.

Boys and Girls Classics (Old)

Q:  I have a copy of Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin see attachments.
The odd thing is the size of 6.25 X 4.25. Not the 6.50 X 4.25 that is prevalent. There is not writing in the bottom space for the author, but this could because it is an autobiography.
An approximate date and is the size important?
Thank you for your time.

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series.

It can be dated by noting the ads in the back of the book and reviewing the dating summary on the series' webpage.

I have several volumes that are of the slightly smaller size. The ads in these variants indicate a 1903 publication.

Devotional Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book? Pathway of Promise

A:  This book belongs to the long running publisher's series: The Devotional Series.

During its 38 year run, titles were published in ten different formats.

This volume is from Format 5 and was published between 1898 and 1924. It was originally sold within a labeled box. See here.

For other format examples, see the web page.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi, I tried to send from website but I could not. Can you help with information on this? I was so surprised to see your website and the amount of books. Through the Looking Glass

A:  This book is a part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1901-1902.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. Several formats of this style exist. On the right half of the cover one of 16 different flower pictures were used. On the left half the lady and her decoration are either in beige, pink or blue. The beige is the most common with the blue being quite scarce.

Originally the box was sold within a labeled box.