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:  Dear Sir or Madam,
I am a volunteer at our local library who assists in determining the value of books donated to our library.

A book published by Henry Altemus "Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There" was donated to our library and I find I am in need of your assistance in determining the value of this book.

I believe it was published in 1899. There is no copyright date. I believe the book has the spine of one of your Format 1 books. I have been able to determine it is not a first edition as it does not meet the qualifications outlined on your website.

I have attached scanned copies of the cover, title page, spine, and the front end cover and front end page hoping you can aide me in dating and determining the value of this book.

I thank you in advance for your assistance and look forward to your response.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It originally came within a labeled box. During this year the titles in this series (all are reprints) were published with several different color covers. (See here).

This is a very desirable book. The Altemus reprints of this title with pictorial covers are much more valuable than the covers with generic designs.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Good evening...My father has a lot of old books and is not internet savvy so asked me(daughter) to look up more information on this "The Biography of Benjamin Franklin", which pages are beautiful in pristine condition but the outside looks worn a bit ;) The binding keeps all pages in but edges starting around inside of cover are starting to crack :( It says First Edition yet all info so far says its a reprint? Or Series of? I attached photos for view. Is this a reprint/series/any information will make him smile we're huge history buffs. And he has curiosity if with its conditions does a book like this still have value? Thank you so much for your time.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1897. During that year all of the titles in this series had the dot pattern on the left of the front cover. On the right was one of many decorative patterns. I have seen 14 different as of this time. Several are shown here. The book was originally sold within a labeled box.

All of the volumes in this series are reprints. A few very collectible titles have some value but most (including yours) really have only nominal value. In addition the cover of your book is in poor shape making it a hard sell regardless.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Just interested in finding out what year my "the Pilgrims Progress" was published, and what it might be worth. Thank you.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1904. It originally came within a labeled box. (Sample shown here). All of the titles in this series are reprints. Your book has nominal value.

During this year the volumes of the Vademecum Series had one of four flower pattern illustrated on appliqués on the front cover. They are shown here.

I have seen these covers in several different colors. Some are shown here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Attached are pictures of Spines and Covers we are unable to identify. Fanchon by George Sand

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895-1896.

All of the books in this series are reprints and except for several key titles, none have any significant value. The books originally were sold within a labled box.

During these two years the left half of the cover had the stereotyped acorn pattern while the right half had one of a number of decorative patterns. Twelve designs have been seen as of this time.

Some are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. I was inquiring on a publishing date for a copy of The Essays of Lord Bacon.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1895.

As with all of the titles in this series, it is a reprint. Originally it was sold within a labeled box.

In 1895 these books were published with a number of different color covers.

Young People's Library Format 1

Q:  I found your website when researching a book that I found in a box in the basement. I have attached a picture for you. According to your website it seems to be a first edition because it has 341 pages. It is listed under Format 1. It says copyright 1896 by Henry Altemus. I have been unable to find how much it might be worth. Can you give me any guidance? Mother Goose Rhymes, Jingles and Fairy Tales

A:  This book is part of Series 202 Format 1-Young People's Library. These books were published between 1895 and 1898. Interestingly it is the only book in this format that does not have the characteristic spine of Format 1 books. (shown here)

This title has a wrap around picture on its spine (see here). There were three editions of this book published in the Format 1 of this series.

The first and second editions have have these same cover with 341 and 252 pages respectively.

Your book has limited collector interest and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Good morning. I have a book of poems by Edgar Allen Poe, copyright 1895. As you can see, it also has the inscription "Lara, From thy loving friend Anna 1896" inside. Can you tell me if this book is of any value?

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895-1896. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

During these two years, the books had a stereotypical acorn design on the left half of they cover and one of numerous decorative patterns on the right half of the cover.

I have seen twelve right sided decorative patterns (some are shown here) as of this time but I am quite certain that there are more. The book originally came within a labeled box.

Poe books are in demand but this is not one of the more attractive titles or formats. Guessing the value-less than $20.

Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series

Q:  Hi there: I have Peter Rabbit's Holiday by Linda Stevens Almond, copyright 1927 Philadelphia by Henry Altemus Company (photo attached). I'm interested in knowing it's approximate value, which I understand is difficult without seeing the item firsthand. There is, as you can see, a water stain on the front cover.

A:  This twenty title series (Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series) is quite a popular one. The books were published between 1917 and 1931. Your volume is #17 and was published in 1927. These titles are in demand but they are also quite common because of their initial popularity. Generally they only bring premium dollars if they have dust jackets which your book unfortunately does not have. Here is a picture of the jacket. With the jacket $50 plus is not unreasonable. Without the jacket in decent shape- $10-25.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  Please advise value. Note that condition excellent. Cover leather but no publish date. Idylls of the King

A:  Your book is from Poems We Love Series. This ten book series of reprinted titles was published between 1912-1915. The volumes originally came within a labeled box, an example of which is shown here. Your book has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  came across this book and was wondering if you have any info on it. I found this pic of it on the internet. my book is not in this great of shape. still would like any info you can give me on it. Marmion

A:  Hello,
Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. As with all of the titles in this series, it is a reprint. This book originally came within a labeled box.

During the 1896 publication year the titles in this series were published with several different color covers. Some are shown here.

It has nominal value.