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 have a copy of Henry Altemus Productions – Treasure Island… has the typical dedication to S.L.O. and American gentleman – but the cover is quite different from your website. Do you have any idea of the age of this book?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

During this year all of the cover basic decorative patterns are the same but many different color variations have been noted.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Please let me know when this book (In Black and White) was published.

Thank You Very Much.

A:  This book was published in 1900 as part of the Vademecum Series.

This is a publisher's series in which all of the titles are reprints and have little value.

During this year the cover picture of flowers was stereotypical but the color of the cover had a number of variations.

Non Series

Q:  Hey I had gotten this book (Grimm's Fairy Tales) for Christmas and I was wondering if you had information on it. Someone had written 1898 in the front cover but I wasn’t sure if that was the publishing date or not. Thanks

A:  This book was published in 1918. It is 333 pages and has numerous short tales with a number of colored pictorial illustrations. It is oversized at 8.25 x 6.

After 1922 Altemus reprinted this book with a new cover that has an appliqué. The new book has plain endpapers and the key dating point: At the base of the copyright page it says "Printed in the United States of America" indicating a post-1922 publication.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Can you give me any information about this book (Balzac's Shorter Stories)?

A:  It is a part of the Vademecum Series.

During this year the basic format of the cover was unchanged throughout the series but numerous different cover colors have been seen.

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I have this beautiful book in front of me. It is Uncle Tom's Cabin gifted at Christmas in 1898. The Copyright is 1894. I did not see this book cover on your site and was wondering if you could tell me a little more about it. Thank you.

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

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have this book (Black Beauty) from my great great grandfather. I tried researching this cover and cannot find it anywhere. Is there anything you can tell me about this?

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

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I was wondering if you could tell me something about this Treasure Island book I have:

Is it from the Vademecum series (I think it is)? It is 6.5” x 4.5”. Is it really from 1899? Is it common, and of nominal value as I suspect?

I have attached some pictures of the book.

A:  This book is from the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. Originally it was published a labeled box.

Although the book itself is not common, it is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Greetings,
I have a book of Longfellow Poems that was published by Henry Altemus Co. I am hoping you may be able to provide some information regarding any history or potential value. The pictures are not great but I'm hoping you are familiar with this edition since your web site is so comprehensive. Thanks for your attention!

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

During this year all the books had the stereotypical dot design on the left half of the cover and any one of a number of decorative/floral designs on the right half of the cover. The book originally came in a labeled box.

Your book is a reprint of a not greatly in demand title and therefore has only nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I've acquired a small book of Endymion, and Other Poems and am lookng for information on it. I've attached a file with a few identifying pictures. There is what looks to be a hand drawn print of John Keats and underneath it is printed "Copyright 1899, by Henry Altemus" In reading your website on how to identify pre or post 1900, I didn't see an explanaition for what I have...

John Keats
ENDYMION And Other Poems
ALL OF THIS IS PRINTED IN RED WITH GREEN SCROLLWORK AROUND AND THROUGH IT.

Philadelphia
Henry Altemus

There are two title pages, the one pictured in the attachment and the one described above.

I'm hoping you can tell me a little more about this small treasure of beautiful poems. Any and all information you can provide is greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. It was published in 1901-1902.

In these years the books of this series, all of which are reprints, had the picture of the lady on the left of the cover and any one of sixteen different flower pictures on the right half of the cover. Your book has the lilacs.

This book originally came within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I've inherited a box of old books, including the attached copy of Emerson's Essays. I have been unable to find a similar cover on any of the rare/used book sites on the internet. I'm hoping you can help me to identify and date it. The gold artwork is embossed.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

A:  Your book was published in 1902 as part of the Vademecum Series.

It originally came in a labeled box. This title is a reprint and only has nominal value.