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.

Valenciennes Series

Q:  Hello, I was wondering about a book I saw on ebay. i was wondering if it is a first edition like the seller suggests it might be? Any information on this book would be greatly appreciated.

"HERES A VERY OLD ANTIQUE BOOK "POEMS" BY EDGAR ALLAN POE PUBLISHED IN (1895). ITS ACTUALLY IN GOOD CONDITION FOR BEING 118 YEARS OLD.. THE COVERS ARE STILL ATTACHED, THE BINDING IS GOOD & THE PAGES ARE IN GREAT CONDITION. I BELIVE THIS IS A 1st EDITION OF THIS BOOK, IT HAS 5 PLATES I COUNTED MIGHT HAVE MISSED ONE."

A:  The book on Ebay is an 1897 book which was published in the Valenciennes Series.

Altemus published this same group of poems in several series as early as 1895. So it is not an Altemus first edition. Also other publishers printed these poems prior to Altemus. So it is not a first edition in any sense.

As is frequently the case with Altemus books, sellers do not do any research and misidentify the books. But unfortunately most buyers take the word of the seller at face value. This book sold for $61. Probably about $50 more than it's worth.

Valenciennes Series

Q:  I am looking for information on this book.  I was wondering what year it was published.  It is Dream Life by IK Marvel. Thanks.

A:  This book is from the Valenciennes Series. One of the Altemus publisher's series (Series 181), it consisted of 81 books-all reprints. These books originally came in a labeled box. The series was published for several years. This book is the 1897 iteration. None of the titles of these reprints are especially valuable but occasionally the Poe or Kipling titles bring a few dollars.

Valenciennes Series

Q:  I have recently come into a nice copy of Thomas Carlyle's Heroes and Hero Worship. It’s undated and I do not see the cover in your archive, and I was hoping you could tell me something about it. It seems like it might be something special from a set maybe? Any info would be most appreciated!

A:  Your book is from the Valenciennes Series and was published in 1898.

See http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series182.htm

It is a reprint with nominal value.

Valenciennes Series

Q:  I was wondering how much you would think this is worth? I read you description about the book but could not see the pricing. Poems, Longfellow

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

It is a reprint which is not in great demand by collectors.

It only has nominal value.

Waistcoat Pocket Series

Q:  Hello,
Might you have any information about this book? The Eve of St. Agnes

A:  Your book is part of the ten title Waistcoat Pocket Series.

It was published between 1906 and 1910. All the volumes in this series are reprints.

Originally it came within a labeled box. See here for an example.

It only has nominal value.

Waistcoat Pocket Series

Q:  I read about this series on your site. It's a great site! Picked this up at an estate sale. A Dream of Fair Women. Can you estimate the value?

A:  This book is part of Format 3 of the ten volume Waistcoat Pocket Series. These little 4.5" x 3' books originally came within labeled box. An example is shown here.

These reprints only have nominal value.

Waistcoat Pocket Series

Q:  My mother was given this book (Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam) and I found it going through some of her things. Could you tell me anything about it?

A:  This book is part of the Waistcoat Pocket Series.

The ten book series was published between 1906 and 1921. These miniature books came in several formats and sizes. They all were originally sold within a labeled box. An example of a box is shown here. Covers of limp lambskin, velvet calf and boards have all been seen.

Waistcoat Pocket Series

Q:  I am having a hard time finding information on this book and was hoping for some insight and value of possible. Thank you. Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

A:  Your book is part of the Waistcoat Pocket Series.

It is Format 3 in that series and was published between 1911 and 1921. It originally came in a labeled box.

It only has nominal value.

Waistcoat Pocket Series

Q:  This little book (Songs of Shakespeare) is published in 1906 by Henry Altemus Company. I could not find any info on the web about it. I would like to have more info like its value on the open market today, part of a series etc?

A:  Your book is part of the Waistcoat Pocket Series. See ../series/series184.htm.

This book is a reprint and was originally published with a labeled box. It only has nominal value.

Waistcoat Pocket Series

Q:  I would like some information about my Henry Altemus Co. book. I could not find it on your website...

It is a suede bound small book called "Songs of Shakespeare" Philadelphia copyright 1906 by Henry Altemus. It is still in the box, covered with a sheer paper cover, the edges and title are gold gilt. It is a collection of sayings from characters in Shakespeare's works. I don't think it's ever been fully out of the box.

It is only 4.5" x 3".

A:  Your book is part of the Waistcoat Pocket Series and can be found here in the Format 3 books: Series 184

Usually these books bring only nominal dollars but with a nicely labeled box it might sell for as much as $20-35.