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.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I have Bracebridge Hall, but, some of the pages, i think, are missing. I would like to know how old the book is. It looks a bit faded, and, not in pristine condition. Thanks, in advance for any info.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series.

This format was published in 1903-1904. During this year the left side of the covers were published wit a picture of a pedestal in either white, blue or pink. On the right there is a picture of one of sixteen flower pictures.

Originally it was published in a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I found this book with my deceased grandfather's belongings. I have not been able to locate a date in the book and was wondering if you could help. Emerson's Essays, Second Series

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

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

It originally was sold within a box. A representative example is shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I’m trying to identify/date the book in the attached photo. Title page states “Henry Altemus”, NOT “Henry Altemus Company” so apparently this is pre-1900. However I can’t find this particular cover anywhere on your site.

A:  Your book is an 1897 publication of the Vademecum Series.

During this year, the titles in this series were published in a number of different colors. Some examples are shown here.

Yuletide Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book? A Christmas Carol

A:  This book is part of the Yuletide Series.

This series of eight titles all were published in limp velvet calf between 1912 and 1916.

All of the books originally came within a labeled box.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello I recently found this book (Uncle Tom's Cabin) published by Henry Altemus and I was wondering if you had some information on it like the published date because there isn't one stated. Any information you know regarding this book would be awesome! Thank you.

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

During these years the titles in this series had a stereotyped decorative pattern on the left side of the cover in either pink or beige. On the right side there was a picture of either one of sixteen flowers (lilacs here) or artwork done by Alphonse Mucha.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have inherited a copy of the "Hyperion" by Longfellow published by Altemus. I'm interested in finding out its value if any. Please take a look at the pictures I've included and contact me if you can help. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It is a reprint of a not very collectible title and therefore will be hard to sell.

During 1900 the covers of this format have been seen in numerous colors. Some are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello I have this book and would like you to look at the cover. I went thru the ones you have shown and I did not see it. The book is Cranford and original owner wrote a to and from on Christmas 1900.

A:  This is an 1897 book published in the Vademecum Series. The titles in this series are all reprints.

In 1897 these books were published in a number of different color covers. Originally they came in a labeled box. An example is shown here.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Was wondering info on this book and how much it might be worth Now days? (Weird Tales by Edgar Allan Poe)

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1898.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

A Poe collector may give you a few dollars. Otherwise this reprint will be hard to sell.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Good Afternoon,
Would you be able to tell me the approximate publishing date of these Altemus Publications of Milton’s Paradise Lost? Paradise Regained?

A:  These book are part of the Vademecum Series and were published between 1909-1912.

They are reprints as are all of the book of this longstanding publisher's series. The books were published with numerous different appliqués on the cover. Originally, these books came within a labeled box which is shown here.

Slip in the Pocket Classics

Q:  This is a book that is in my wife's family, The Tent on the Beach. There is no copyright or any date for that matter. Can you help?

A:  Your book is part of the Slip in the Pocket Classics Series. It was published in the 1909-1915 time range.

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

Because this title is a reprint with little collector interest, it only has nominal value.