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.

Waistcoat Pocket Series

Q:  can you tell me anything about this book, i think its the fifth edition, it has 107 pages and 1 illustration in the front and is it worth anything 4 3/8x2 7/8 suede i think. and is it worth anything?

A:  This series (Waistcoat Pocket Series) of 10 books had three formats, the last of which is where this books belongs. Limp velvet with gold gilt script writing. All of the books originally came in a labeled box. An example of the box is shown here.

Unfortunately the titles are not very collectible and without the box the book has little value.

As an aside, this book was reprinted from an earlier edition and is not, in fact, the "fifth edition".

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  Is this valuable? Peter Rabbit

A:  Nice book. It is the second American edition of this title.

See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

My estimate $15-50.

The American first edition was published early in 1904.
(First American edition)

Wee Books for Wee Folks Series

Q:  I am trying to get the value of my 1904 Peter Rabbit book and possibly see if you're interested in buying it.

So, when I was about 5 years old I found this book in my attic in this built-in window bench that we uncovered when my parents were remodeling.
I saw online that you actually had a picture of the one I have and no other sites have and I looked forever.

If you could please get back to me at your earliest convenience with any info about the value of my book I would greatly appreciate it. My contact info is below and I have attached photos I took for you to look over. There are random blank pages in the book and I could send more photos if needed.

A:  In great shape this book can sell for upwards of $50. It just depends upon who is looking at the time. In less than great condition (your book), it will sell for less.

I am not interested in purchasing another copy.

If you sell it, make sure to note that it is the first American edition of this title.

For more information see: Henry Altemus Co - Peter Rabbit First Edition

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  Hello, I have just come across a wonderful version of 1st American Edition Peter Rabbit Wee Books series. Green(ish) cover. I feel that the book is not complete as it says on the title page that there are thirty-one illustrations—I only counted 20+. The pages are also separated from the spine some by signatures (some not and individual pages)...rightfully so, it is over 113 years old. I’m wondering what the value is on such a rare find in this condition would be.

My question too is, how can I compare my books illustration and pagination to get the book in order (outside of knowing the story line). It seems as though the blank pages are counted in the folio.

A:  Your copy is not the true first edition. See here for information about the first and second editions: http://henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

In this shape the book has little or no value. These copies are not that rare.

The only way to order the pages is to compare them to a complete book. If you want to scan the pictures, I can put them in the correct order.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  We have a copy of Peter Rabbit in the beige cover color, with end page illustrations. Your site explains that it would be a Second Edition, Second Format, and date from 1908-1912, but that it should not have the end page illustrations. Can you please help us further identify it?

We know to ignore the 1904 date on the title page.

The title page reads:
Philadelphia
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
Copyright, 1904, by Henry Altemus

The book is 123 pages long, and has the blank pages, so the only odd thing about it, as far as we can tell, is that it has end page illustrations.

Is this still a 1908-1912, Second Edition, Second Format, or is it a Second Edition, First Format?

Our concern is that we correctly identify it before we try to sell it.

A:  Altemus published the first American edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series. Some of the very early beige Peter Rabbits did have the end paper illustrations. For more information, see: http://www.henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I found this website by Googling the name of this book I found in my family’s heirlooms. Looks like it was given to a relative in 1908 for Christmas (Inscription on one of the first pages). The Foolish Fox
I would love to know any information you have on this book and what it is worth. I'm putting together a list of things, with estimated values, for an estate.

A:  Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series, Format 1 and was published in 1904. This format was only published for a short time and by the end of 1904 was replaced with Format 2 books.

Originally the six books of the series were sold in three boxed sets. The Foolish Fox was boxed with The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Fair value would be $10-20.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I found this small book and was trying to determine when it might have been printed. From what I have read on the web site it appears it may have been prior to 1916, although the information does not mention red lettering on the blue-grey cover. Is there any value to this book? The Robber Kitten

Thank you for any information you are able to give.

A:  Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks' Series-Format 2.

This book is pictured as Format 2b #6. It was published between 1912 and 1918. Note that between 1904 and 1912 this title was published with a green not beige cover.

It originally came with a dust jacket. It is pictured here.

Without the jacket it has minimal value.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I have a Nursery Tales copyright 1904 by Henry Altemus 45 illustrations by J.R. Neil wondering value.

A:  This book is from the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series and is part of the first format. This style was only published in 1904. Originally it was boxed with another title from this series, Nursery Rhymes. Subsequently this title was published in a number of formats.

Later in 1904 the green cloth book was printed and was followed in about 1908 by the beige cloth book.

In 1916 the title was changed to Mother Goose's Nursery Tales.

In 1918 the format was changed again. This format was unchanged until 1933. (shown here)

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  Can you give me an idea of the value of this book (Peter Rabbit)? Publication date of 1904. Thanks.

A:  One of the most well known of the Henry Altemus titles is the first American edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It was part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series and was published in 1904. This book / edition was part of a two book boxed set. The other book was The Foolish Fox.

Your book is the second American edition, published later in 1904. This book originally came with a dust jacket which matched the front cover of the volume. Sometime between 1908 and 1912 the front cover color was changed to beige. This latter book is the second printing of the second edition. It was published in this format until 1917.

For more information see http://www.henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  I was just wondering if you could tell me if the book was worth anything. Peter Rabbit. Found it recently and didn't know what to do with it. Thank you.

A:  The extremely popular Wee Books for Wee Folks Series of books were published from 1904 to the early 1930's. There were three formats for the Peter Rabbit title. The first Altemus (and American edition) was published in 1904 as part of a two volume boxed set. The other book was The Foolish Fox.

Later in 1904 the second edition was published. This edition had two formats. A green cover was noted until about 1908 and then your book with the beige cover was published until 1917.

All of the Tale of Peter Rabbit Wee Books show the 1904 copyright date on the title page. this is regardless of the date the book was actually published.

Note the date at the base of the title page here.

Value $10-20