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.

Altemus Library

Q:  Hi, I recently found this old copy of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Emerson's Essays (First Series) and I cannot seem to find it on your website. According to the first page it was printed in Philadelphia by Henry Altemus in 1892 and I was just wondering if you had any information on it. Attached is a scan of the cover.
Thank you for your time.

A:  Your book is pictured as #6 on this page. ../series/series37.htm. The Altemus library was Altemus' first "publisher's series". All 41 books are reprints of various works of fiction, poetry, essays, etc. Interestingly, it is the only publisher's series in which each book has a different cover design.

Since your book is a reprint and in poor shape, it has only nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I was looking through your website for a book I found at a thrift store, and I could not find anything that matched it exactly. It is very similar to the 1901-1902 Mucha publisher's series, but the woman on the front is different. It is Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Snow Image and Other Twice Told Tales. I have included two pictures. I just thought is was a really pretty book to have for 5 dollars, and I am just curious of it's origins. There is no publishing date on it, thought it does have "Christmas Greetings" written in pen and ink with a date of 1902 on it.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This series consisted of reprints of poetry, classics, essays, fiction, etc.

Your book can be found in the 1901-1902 books here: ../series/series143.htm

Also here is a little blog entry: ../about/updates5.htm#a10

Alphonse Mucha was the artist who painted this picture. It is called Poetry. This year's Petit Trianon books also included another Mucha illustration- Lady with Rose.

Your book cover is slightly different from the one in the database. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/images/S143_1901_v204.jpg

Petit Trianon

Q:  Recently, while moving things from a bedroom at my grandparents house due to damage from the storms in April 2011, I ran across a book (image attached) by your company. As I have a small collection of antique books, I tried to look this one up, but have been unsuccessful at finding it online. It is listed on your website, but any search for it turns up nothing. The binding is somewhat faded, and the spine and back cover have minor water damage, which appears to be quite old. The title (if not readable in the photo) is "Poe's Poems". There is no copyright page in the book, which has complicated my search. I would like to know the publication date of the book, and if possible, how many were printed in this edition.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1901-1902. See: ../series/series143.htm.

There is no record of how many were published.

Esperance Series

Q:  Could you tell me more information about this book? See attached. What series would it be? How much it might be worth? I welcome anything you know!

A:  Your book is part of the Esperance Series. See ../series/series79.htm. It was published between 1905 and 1909.

This series of twenty books originally came in a labeled box. All the books which are reprints can be found in either brown or green suede.

Generally these books sells for between $0-20.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I was wondering if you could help me put a publication date to this book? I cannot find a similar copy online. It is The Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam published by Henry Altemus Company. I believe it is sometime around 1900. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. Cover scan attached.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1901-1902. It is a publisher's series and consisted of reprints of poetry, classics, fiction, etc.

See ../series/series143.htm

The picture on the right was done by the artist Alphonse Mucha.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of 'Representative Men' by Emerson, listed by you, as European Authors #172. It seems to me under category of covers from 'sliced' paintings of greenery and trees, but I do not see this particular picture. On the list I am referring to of publications of Henry Altemus Company 4-1/2 by 6-1-2 Altemus Illustrated Vademecum Series (also found in back of book) it is #173. Can you tell me the value, of if it is sought by any collectors. The condition of the book is the cover is in good shape, some wear marks on the binding corners, page one has come loose. The rest of the book is in good shape.

A:  Your book's picture can be found at ../vademecum.htm. It is in picture #5. Because your book is a reprint of a title not eagerly sought, it has only nominal value.

Wee Books for Wee Folks Series

Q:  Hi, I was wondering if you could give me any information on the book THE FOOLISH FOX, 1904. I haven't been able to find any information about this book with the green cover.

A:  Your book is a second format book in the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series. It was published between 1904 and 1911. It originally came with a dust jacket which matched the cover.
See ../wee_books/index.htm and ../series/series185.htm.

Boys and Girls Classics (Old)

Q:  Hello! I have a copy of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (photos attached). I was both surprised and pleased to learn that this might be valuable. Can you give me any more information than is included on your website about this book and its value? I have learned so far that it is included in the Series 58 - Boys and Girls Classics (old). It seems to be Format 2, according to your website's information.

A:  You have identified the correct series. It is Format 4 however. It was published by Henry Altemus Company not Henry Altemus. (See ../series/series58.htm). Unfortunately I do not think it is a valuable book. Treasure Island was reprinted by hundreds of publishers in this era. Although many of the formats are quite nice (like yours), they have very little value on the collector's market.

For an interesting look at many Robinson Crusoe reprints see http://larryvoyer.com/RobinsonCrusoe/crusoe%20pages/crusoe-main.htm

This book generally sells for between $0-10.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am from the Netherlands so please forgif me for mij writing.

I have a copy of the book: Gold Dust. Can you tell me please if this is a rare book? On the picture i include the collor is bleu but in real it is grey.

Thanks for your time,

A:  Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Vademecum Series. This series of more than 100 books consisted of the reprints of various essays, poetry, fiction and classics. See: ../series/series179.htm. All the books were originally published with labeled boxes.

This title only has nominal value.

Young People's Library Format 1

Q:  Hello, We recently found a bunch of old books from one of our relatives and in them was a copy of Robinson Crusoe published by Altemus that was given as a Christmas present in 1898. We would like some information on the book as to the real age, and approximate worth of the book for insurance purposes.

A:  Hi. Your book is part of the Young People's Library and was published between 1895 and 1898. If you look here: ../series/series202F1.htm you will find a flow chart that will allow you to date your book by studying the advertisements within it.

Generally since this is a reprint (albeit a nice one) it sells for between $10-20.