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.

Library of Standard Authors

Q:  I have a copy of Paul and Virginia, I was told it published in 1890. There is no date of publication in the book. On page four there is an inscription that it is part of a series including
"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass
Lucile
Paul and Virginia.”
The following page is the table of illustrations. The cover is below. Do you know publication date?

A:  Your book was published in 1897-1898. It is part of the ten volume Library of Standard Authors' Series. The books in this series have been seen in several different color covers.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, The name of this book is Coming to Christ. I am enclosing a picture. Please tell me the age and the value of this book.

A:  This book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1897. This is one of many Altemus publisher's series of reprints.

Each year the cover was changed to enhance sales since the decorative cover was as important as the subject material. This book only has nominal value.

This cover has been seen in a number of colors.

Standard 12 mo. Series

Q:  Hello, I was reviewing your website http://www.henryaltemus.com and decided to contact you regarding the series 167 "Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass" pictorial cover. I have a blue cloth cover with silver, red and orange colors on the front dated 1895. It also has gilt text block at the top. It is in fair shape but solid reading copy with floral end plates. This issue is more likely the "best made and most valuable" you stated. I'm a bit confused about selling this book. What would be your best guess for selling this book?

A:  In 1895 Altemus published the Carroll books for the ?rst time. Two combination books (Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass) were published in two different series. Within Series #167 Standard 12 Mo. the book was printed in two different formats. One book has crushed levant with a silver decorative pattern on a maroon cover (Other colors have been seen). The other book has a wonderful pictorial cover in silver and inks (Your book). These books are 7.5 x 5.5 and probably Altemus' best made Alice books. My opinion notwithstanding, these two books should be the most valuable of all Altemus Carroll's. They are very scarce and are the first Altemus combination books. This pictorial cover format is especially unique.

One Syllable Series

Q:  I tried to use the website link but no luck so here goes. Looking for some info on the attached book. Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe. There is no date that I could find and wondered if you have any idea as to when this book was published. One photo and one PDF file are attached. For some reason my printer/scanner would not scan both. Would appreciate your input.

A:  This book is part of the One Syllable Series. This series was published in four different formats. Each originally had dust jackets. Your book is part of the second format published in the early 1900's. This particular book used an 1899 title page.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hello, I found this book (Through the Looking Glass) at an estate sale and was wondering if you could give me any information about it at all? It's a hardback Blue in color. Altemus on the binding. The inside cover is dated 1895. I have attached a photo of the book and one of its title page. Thank you for your time.

A:  This book is part of the first format of the Young People's Library.

It is the first of the Altemus Alice individual titles. See ../alice/alice.htm

I think you have one of the better Altemus Alice books. The later 1897 and on Young People's Library editions frequently are sold for $50 and up. Your book is scarcer and in my opinion overall nicer. It is not unreasonable to think $50 or more. But since there is no true market price, it could sell for a lot less or a lot more.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, The attached photo is of a book I found at a flea market a few years ago (The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin). The inside title page says Henry Altemus and 1895 at the bottom. I’m just wondering if it has any value? Thanks in advance!

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. This series was published between 1894 and 1926. In the early years the cover format was changed yearly. In 1895 the basic cover was seen in a number of different colors. Shown here.

Since this reprint title is not in great demand, the book only has nominal value.

Gem Series

Q:  Not sure what I have here and can't find much information on the books with suede covers. No date inside that I can see. All pages intact, tattered edges, no tears on pages, overall fair cond I would say. Representative Men

A:  Your book is part of the Gem Series and was published in the 1913-1914 era. It originally came within a labeled box. This title is a reprint.

Golden Treasury Series

Q:  Hi, I'm a graphic designer in Michigan and have a love for print, especially old books. I recently moved and found this little treasure when I was unpacking. Would enjoy learning more about the history of this book (Morning Thoughts).

A:  Your book is part of the 49 volume Golden Treasury Series.

It was published in 1899. This book, like all of the titles in this series, is a reprint.

Belles-Lettres Series

Q:  Hello, We found several books in a box that have been passed down in my family. Among them, is "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" published by Henry Altemus. The publication date is 1896, though I know publication dates are not always accurate. Can you tell me a little more about this book/particular edition? I want to keep it in the family, but we are curious about it.

A:  Your book is part of the 31 volume Belles-Lettres Series. All of the books in this series are reprints.

The books were published in the 1896-1897 era. I have seen six cover formats so far. The other five are shown here.

It is a reprint and unfortunately only has value of the sentimental type.

Esperance Series

Q:  We have an old boxed copy of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with a nice fine leather cover and we are wondering if it is worth anything. Can you help. A picture is attached.

A:  Your book is part of the Esperance Series. It was published between 1905 and 1909. All of the twenty books in this series were reprints.

Having the original box is quite nice but the demand for this title in this format is quite limited. Getting more than $25 will be a challenge.