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.

Classics Series

Q:  Hi- I have picked up a small book by this company titled Paradise Regained and it also has Samson Agonistes in it. It doesn't have any publishing date and was wondering where I can find more information.

A:  This book is part of the Classics Series / Slip in the Pocket Series and was published between 1909 and the mid teens. It originally came with a dust jacket. A representative jacket is shown here.

It is a reprint.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Thank you so much for be willing to share your time and expertise. It is much appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895-1896. It originally was published within a labeled box.

During these years the books of this series had a stereotyped left cover pattern and one of numerous designs on the right half of the cover. Some examples are shown here.

It is a reprint with nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I found this book while cleaning out today. A Christmas Carol. Cannot find a publish date. Some of the pages in the back are falling out.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series. This title, as all of the books in this series, is a reprint. It was published between 1899 and 1901 and was originally sold within a labeled box.

The volumes of this format have been seen in several different colors. Examples are shown here.

Love and Friendship Series

Q:  Hello my name is Telzey. I recently found this book. I dont believe it has much value. (Please correct me if wrong). can you tell me about this book Rip Van Winkle.

A:  This book is part of the Love and Friendship Series and was published in 1901-1904 era. It is a reprint as are all of the titles in this series.

Originally it came with a dust jacket. An example is shown here.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  Can you give me an idea of the value of this book (Peter Rabbit)? Publication date of 1904. Thanks.

A:  One of the most well known of the Henry Altemus titles is the first American edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It was part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series and was published in 1904. This book / edition was part of a two book boxed set. The other book was The Foolish Fox.

Your book is the second American edition, published later in 1904. This book originally came with a dust jacket which matched the front cover of the volume. Sometime between 1908 and 1912 the front cover color was changed to beige. This latter book is the second printing of the second edition. It was published in this format until 1917.

For more information see http://www.henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. I have a book titled Natural Law in the Spiritual World. I don't know the date of this book, or which edition it is. Would you happen to know? Also, do you know the value of a book like this? Please see attached pictures, and thank you so much for any information you may be able to provide.

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

This title is a reprint as are all of the titles in this series. It has nominal value only.

Altemus Bibles

Q:  I have failed to locate my 1884 Altemus Bible among the photos on your website. Attached is a picture of its cover and title page. I am seeking a source for an approximate current value of the Bible in a "good" condition. The Bible pictured in the attachment suffered water damage.
I would appreciate any source you might direct me to.

A:  Altemus published Bibles on its own imprint as well as for other entities from the 1870's until the turn of the century. Most of these Bibles were large heavy volumes which have not held up well over the years. The weight of the Bible has generally been too much for the binding to support. As of this time I have identified for than 60 different Altemus Bible covers.

These Bibles contain various combinations of ten different textual features. For details see http://www.henryaltemus.com/bibles/bibles.htm

Your Bible is similar to B5. In great shape these Bibles rarely sell for more than $100. In poor shape, they are hard to sell.

Boys and Girls Classics (old)

Q:  I have the book as pictured which I would like to sell on ebay. According to the documentation I read on your site which is excellent. I believe it is before 1900 the title page says Henry Altemus.
I would like to list it accurately. Some of the pages are stained and in front the name Myra D. Havens, one of the pages has a tear but all the pages are intact and not loose. Any help you can provide would be appreciated. Through the Looking Glass

A:  This book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics (old) Series.

These books were published between 1899 and 1906. You are right to identify your volume as one that was published in 1899 since the imprint is Henry Altemus and not Henry Altemus Company (The incorporation year was 1900).

Each volume was originally published within a rather plain labeled box. An example is shown here.

Colorful Story Books

Q:  I have a poor condition book published by Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia ..the back of the first page says copyright 1930 by Howard E. Altemus Printed in the United States ...it is called The Little Black Sambo Story Book by Helen Bannerman and Frank Ver Beck with illustrations by the authors...I have searched and cannot find the book with the title most that I have found are the story of Little Black Sambo I hope you have some more information.

A:  This book is part of Series #70, the Colorful Story Books Series. It was published in 1930.

The six books in this series are each comprised of four or five abridged stories (books) from the various Wee Books for Wee Folks' Series. Each volume was published with a colorful dust jacket. See here.

Platt and Munk later reprinted all the titles.

Boy and Girls Classics

Q:  A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES
Stevenson, Robert Louis
Published by Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia
Cant find anything on this one no dates.

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

This particular cover was published in the early and mid-teens. The fifteen titles in this series are all reprints and were sold within labeled floral covered boxes.

This cover is part of a larger picture which is shown here.