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:  I see that this book (The Cricket on the Hearth) is a reprint. The book says copyright 1899 but the web site says 1901. I found this book in an antique shop and picked it up for 12.00. The pages seem to be loose and one of the pages were taped back in. I was wondering if you might be able to tell me what the value of this book is. Thank you for your time.

A:  This book is part of Series 180 Vademecum Series. It was published in 1901. As you noted, it is a reprint and as such it has very little value. Altemus published this title in hundreds of formats and since the title is not a "special" one, there is very little demand for it.

I think you would be lucky to sell it for more than a couple of dollars.

Devotional Series

Q:  Hello, Thank you for your comprehensive web site...very interesting. Please at a look a the attached picture and let me know if you can tell an approximate date? Drummond's Addresses

A:  This book is part of the Devotional Series. This particular format was published between 1898 and 1924. The series was perhaps the longest running of all of the Altemus series. Between 1895 and 1933 it had nine different formats. This format is number 5. It was published in various colors. See series page for others. It also was published originally within a labeled box.

To narrow the date down further the ads in the back of the book would be helpful.

Vademecum Series

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

A:  Your book was published in 1905-1906 as part of the Vademecum Series. It is a reprint which originally came with a labeled box. It only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I recently came across this book (Paradise Lost) and Paradise Regained and was trying to double check my research and find out the dates on them. Thank you for any assistance.

A:  Your book was published in 1908-1909 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. It is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box.

Because it is a very common title, a reprint without an original has little, if any, value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Do you know what this book's value might be? Last Essays of Elia

Is it part of the Petit Trianon Series? It has an inscription from 1898. But, it has no publication date.

A:  Your book was published in 1897 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

It is a common reprint. It originally came within a labeled box. It has only nominal value.

Young People's Library

Q:  I have been studying your website and wondered if you could tell me what you think the value is of the attached book (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland). From what I gather from your site, this is format 2, printed prior to 1900 because the copyright page (see next photo) says Frank Altemus, not Frank Altemus Company.

The spine is in tact, and the interior pages are in very good condition. I have seen 3 spots with pencil in the interior, which might be able to be erased. there is also what looks to be green crayon over the left heart on the cover.

The first few interior pages are slightly loose, but from other copies I've seen online, this is in reasonably good condition for the time period.

Thank you!

A:  This is a 2nd Format Young People's Library book published in 1898-1899.

The earlier (pre-1900) Young People's Library books are less common but that does not necessarily make them very valuable.

This book generally sells between $10-75 although it is frequently listed for a lot more. Easy to buy but hard to sell.

(Of note is that this reader promptly listed this book for sale on Ebay at $299. Suffice it to say, it did not sell. Even with a pristine dust jacket it is not worth close to her listing price)

Mother Goose Series

Q:  I'm trying find origin this book (The Sleeping Beauty and Other Stories). Can you help me?

A:  Your book is part of the Mother Goose Series.

It is part of Format 2 of that series and was published in the early 1900's. Originally it came with a dust jacket.

I am not sure what you mean by its origin. The Altemus edition is taken from previously published stories.

Boys and Girls Classics Series

Q:  We believe we have a copy of The Prince of the House of David by Rev. J.H. Ingraham. l from the La Belle Fleur series 1899. We would like to know if we are correct, and if so, what might such a book be worth. Pictures are enclosed. Thank you.

A:  Your book is actually from the Boys and Girls Classics Series.

It was published between 1900 and 1906. It originally came within a labeled box.

In this condition it has no value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I’m including a picture of the covers of a book of Longfellow’s poems (Vol. I &II). There are no dates in either of these books. In the back of these books is a list of Altemus’ Illustrated Vademecum Series. Can you give me some information regarding the dates these volumes were printed and what they might appraise for. Thank you very much for your interest.

A:  These books are part of the Vademecum Series and were published in 1903. They originally came within labeled boxes.

They are reprints and only have nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I see that you published In His Steps in 1899. This is my treasure. It is a hard bound. I don't see it listed on your website. Was it printed in sb first, possibly elsewhere?

Others on Ebay say the firt pub date is 1897. Is mine a first Edition? If not how do I list it? What category is it in? Do you know it's value? If not please give me guidance on where to go.

A:  It was published in 1899-1900 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. Your book is not a first edition. You can find a picture on the series page.

It has only nominal value and will be hard to sell at any price (especially in this condition).