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.

Fairmount Series

Q:  Hello, I'm quite stumped on when this is made (Discourses of Epictetus). I haven't seen any other leather titles that quite look like this on your website. I would really appreciate any knowledge you have. My best guess is the mid 1890s but I'm not sure. Thanks in advance.

A:  This book is part of the Fairmount Series. The titles in this series which were published in 1894 and 1895 were all reprints.

This half calf cover volume with gold vein paper sides is relatively uncommon. These books originally came within a labeled box.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I had a question about this book that I purchased, A Child's Garden of Verses. Your site says that it was published in 1908, but my book has a dedication dating 1907. I did see that this was the cover you titled 7a, an early rendition. I suppose I mostly want to get it appraised, but I have seen that these books are not going for much.

A:  This book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics' Series. The books of this series had pictorial linen cloth swatches as book covers. These volumes originally came with a labeled floral box. An example is shown here. All of these titles were reprinted from the earlier Young People's Library series books.

The 1908 books were released generally at Xmas time in 1907. This was done every year to capitalize on the holiday sales. This book only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, can someone give us information on this nice little book.
Title - The Song of Hiawatha
Author - Longfellow
Publisher - Henry Altemus Co., Philadelphia

We were curious as to the copyright date, and basic value.
Attached is a photo for your review.

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

It is a reprint published by Altemus in 1908-1909. Originally it was sold within a labeled box. A representative box picture is shown here.

It only has nominal value.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  I found this old book while helping my Mother (84-years old) clean out her house. She says it belonged to her Mother. She is not sure where her Mother got it.

The book is not in good condition. It was wrapped in old tissue paper when I found it. The cover is a reddish-brown suede with gold foil stamp lettering, "BARRACK ROOM BALLADS AND DITTIES," and a "harp-style" musical instrument logo in the bottom right corner.

The title page has the same title name plus author, Rudyard Kipling. Below the author name is the publisher, "Philadelphia, Henry Altemus Company." The page before the title page has a photo of the author, author name, and in small italics, "Frontispiece."

Based on the information from your website, this publisher did not publish suede covers earlier than 1902. I'm not sure if this book has value or, better yet, what to do with it.

A:  Your book was published between 1912-1915 as part of the Poems We Love Series. The limp velvet calf covers came in either brown or green. Each of the ten books in this series originally was published with a labeled box. An example is shown here.

It is a reprint with no significant value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  HI, I was wondering if you could tell me anything about the attached book?
Two Years Before the Mast
Thank you so much!!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1895. This particular 1895 cover has been seen in several different covers. See here.

It is a reprint (as are all of the titles in this series) and has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi. I was wondering if you could give me some idea of about when this edition was published? Any other information you could give based on the picture would be appreciated as well. Twice Told Tales

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

The cover of this format was published with a stereotypical acorn pattern on the left half of the cover and a decorative pattern on the right half. Presently I have seen twelve different decorative patterns (including this one). See more here.

This book is a reprint (as are all of the titles in this series) and has only nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I am trying to figure out the date this book by Robert Louis Stevenson was published. The title is "Treasure Island" and the authors name is spelled Stephenson instead of Stevenson. It is small, about 6 1/4" tall. The cover is green predominately with gilt on the flowery designs. I think it may be about 1886, but am not sure.

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

It is a reprint as are all of the titles in this series. During this year this cover was published in several different colors. Some examples are shown here.

Non Series #23

Q:  Trying to find out the value of the 1915 non series Octavo Edition of Black Beauty. I have attached 2 pictures for you to see its condition.
Also, I am curious to know how many of these books were printed and/or sold.

A:  This Black Beauty reprint was published by Altemus in 1915. As opposed to most of the Altemus Black Beauty books, this one is not part of a series.

I have seen this format in this dark blue color as well as an orange cover color. See here.

It originally was published with a dust jacket which I have not seen as of yet. I would estimate this book's value to be between $15-40 depending on condition. A jacketed book would be worth more.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of Kavanagh and was trying to place exactly what set this is part of and would welcome any details you can provide me with. Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1899 and was part of the Vademecum Series.

All of the books in this series are reprints. During 1899 the covers in this series had a number of different colors. Some are shown here.

It originally came within a labeled box.

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  I volunteer at a small rural library and wondered if this book has value. Little Bo-Peep

A:  This book is part of the eight title Bo-Peep Series.

These books are all reprints and originally came with a dust jacket. A sample jacket from this series is shown here.

Unfortunately without a dust jacket the books in this series only have nominal value.