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 saw your description on your site referring to Gold Dust as not being published in the 1890's. I beg to differ. I hold in my hand a copy of Gold Dust and inside it specifically says "Copyright 1897 by Henry Altemus".

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898. ../series/series179.htm

The reader is confusing the Altemus copyright date from the date of publication. But in addition we are not sure where she got the idea that we did not think this was published in the 1890's. Perhaps she saw a mention of a later 20th century Altemus version of this title.

World's Classics Series

Q:  Hi, I am trying to figure out what time period this book (Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin) is from, when it was published and any information you can tell me about it. Here is a copy of the cover. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the World's Classics Series (#196) ../series/series196.htm

These books were first published in 1912 and reprinted until 1916. Red, brown and green suede covers have been seen. Originally they came within a labeled box.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello. I found this book (The Scarlet Letter) while cleaning out my recently deceased great aunt's house. The cover is not in the best of shape but the inside is perfect other than a natural discoloration of the pages. I was wondering if you could tell me about it as I could not find it on your site. Any information about it or its worth would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book can be found here Petit Trianon Series with the 1905-1906 books.

In average shape without the original box it has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Would like to find more information regarding The House of the Seven Gables book that I own. Any help is appreciated. Thank you! Michelle (Photos Attached)

A:  You can find your book pictured with the other 1898 books here: Vademecum Series

It has only nominal value.

Golden Treasury Series

Q:  I found this (John Ploughman's Talk) in a box of books given to me recently. It's priceless to me, since Spurgeon is one of my favorite authors. In other words, I don't care so much about whether or not it has inherent value, but I would like to know a little about it. Best I can tell, it's from the Devotional Series? 1896? The copyright date inside is 1896. Couldn't find this cover (in particular) on the Devotional Series page, but is there anything else you can tell me about it?

A:  Your book can be found here: Series 99

It is not part of the Devotional Series but rather part of the Golden Treasury Series.

Boys and Girls' Classics (old)

Q:  Hello,
I found your website while doing a search on the Henry Altemus book A Child's Garden of Verses. I am not a collector so I don't know much about the book. I can't find a date on this. I have attached a few pictures. Can u tell me is this rare? How much it might be worth? and maybe what year it might be?? I appreciate any help you can give me

A:  Your book was published between 1899-1902. To pin it down better see Boys and Girls' Classics Series 58

In poor shape it has no value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of “The Lays of Ancient Rome”, by T.B. Macaulay published by Henry Altemus Co. No copyright and no publication date. I have attached a copy of the cover (giant oak on path with red cover). From my search through your site I think I can determine that the publication date is 1903. Is that correct? Thanks for your assistance.

A:  You are right. It is part of the Vademecum Series (Series #180).

See ../vademecum.htm

Young People's Library

Q:  I have three Altemus books, the first is an 1895 Through the Looking Glass and what Alice found there, from your information on the spine design, I believe it is a Format 1 second edition because it lists Gulliver's Travels in the box opposite the title page. It is slightly smaller than the following two Format 2 books.
The other two are Format 2 based on the spine design. Swiss Family Robinson dated 1896 and Arabian Nights dated 1897. Both have four pages of ads in the back with Grandfather's Chair being the last one listed. Arabian Nights has the green patterned endsheets with a girl sitting in the letter "A" while Swiss Family Robinson has plain endsheets.
I am wondering if I have understood your information correctly, and where I might go to learn of their value?

A:  The two Format 2 books were published between 1898 and 1902. You should be able to date them with the notes on the Format 2 page. They generally do not sell for much. That is, less than $15. Occasionally someone just has to have a book, but as a seller you cannot count on that.

The Through the Looking Glass book is a nice book. You have identified it perfectly. This book should bring in $25-75. Again luck plays a role if you put it on Ebay. What I mean is that I have seen it sell for more but also I have seen it not sell. Just cannot figure it. Remember that the Altemus book is a reprint with the first edition being published many years before.

Doris Force Series

Q:  I noticed you have a biblio for the Doris Force books, and you have the last 2 dated at 1932. However I have a copy of Doris Force at Barry Manor (fine in a near fine dj) by Donohue and the copyright info is "MCMXXXI, by H.A. Co." Obviously that is 1931. How did that discrepancy come about?

A:  The copyright of Barry Manor is 1932.

As you can see Altemus had the original copyright in August of 1932.

Donohue reprinted this book several years later. They probably just copied the date down wrong!

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  Hello! At a charity auction I acquired a copy of an Altemus Paradise Lost book.

Inside the book is an inscription which reads: "To my dear niece Gertrude, from Aunt May. Christmas 1888"

However, I think this may not be authentic, as it appears the book would not have been published until mid-1889. Out of curiosity, do you know if it would have been possible to have the book prior to 1889?

I've attached pictures of the book for reference!

A:  In most years the next year's edition would come out at Xmas before the new year. So for example a book which is a first edition with the date on the title page may still have an inscription of December of the year before.