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.

Young People’s Library

Q:  I have a copy of this book in my possession, I was wondering if it is valuable? Uncle Tom's Cabin. This inside jacket says Copyright 1900.

A:  You have shown a book from Series 202 Young People’s Library. With slight color variances this cover is #30 in both Format 2 and Format 3. Format 2 books were published between 1898 and 1903 and had a distinctive spine pattern. Format 3 books are published between 1903-1923 and also had a particular spine decoration. Without a dust jacket neither has significant value.

See http://henryaltemus.com/ypl/index.htm for more details.

Young People's Library Format 3

Q:  Just trying to get a worth on its version of you can help with that. A Child's Garden of Verses

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library. Format 3 books were published from 1902-1923. All the the titles in this series are reprints.

This book without a dust jacket has little, if any, value. See http://henryaltemus.com/blog/?p=1553.

Young People's Library

Q:  I have a copy of an Altemus 1895 format 1, Alice in Wonderland - Through the Looking Glass that has a blank spine but it refers to Gulliver's Travels on the inside ad page so I believe it is a second edition.

I'm trying to determine the book's value. Attached are photos of the cover and ad pages. Can you assist or me point in the right direction of whom I should contact? I truly appreciate your assistance.

A:  You have described your book perfectly. It is part of the Young People's Library, Format 1. This format was published between 1895 and 1898.

The early, absolutely first printing of this format list only to Through the Looking Glass. The later 1895 versions list to Gulliver's Travels (your book).

The two Lewis Carroll books in this series are in great demand. They are reprints but have very nice covers and numerous illustrations.

A $25-75 price range is reasonable.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hey there. I recently purchased this at an antique store and am inquiring of its value. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!! Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 1. This format was published between 1895 and 1898.

When this book sells, usually it is in the $25-50 range. Recently a copy sold for $115.

Young People's Library, Format 1

Q:  GOOD EVENING-I think I have a rare & scarce & valuable book? I was going to put it on Ebay but decided to do more research and then found your info. I hope you can help me.
I have a ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Lewis Carroll beige/silver-tone hardback. I think dating from 1895. Could be one of a combination of two. Says on top of title page: ALTEMUS YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY. With 42 black & white ink illustrations. PHILADELPHIA HENRY ALTEMUS (has NO dust jacket)
I have found out tonight that the fact it says: HENRY ALTEMUS dates it to the correct date-1895 It is a smaller book 4 7/8" x 6 3/4" Has the Silver lettering on front with colored INK figures going diagonal from top left corner to lower right corner starting with Cheshire Cat-mouse-cards-and then Rabbit & Turtle on bottom. Haven’t found one online? In good shape for it’s age. Scuffing of corners-inside front cover is a pen scripted personal signature. Spine pulling away some. Some warping of some pages.

A:  Your book is from the first format of the Young People's Library. Since there is no date on the title page, it was published between 1896-1898. Looking at the ads and using the chart on the website- http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm- it should be easy to date the book exactly. It is not the earliest edition of this format that was published in 1895.

This book is not uncommon and usually sells on Ebay for between $25-75. The last two sold for $21 and $35.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hello,
Thank you very much for being out there with needed information. I actually read this book last night with pleasure, first time since the late 40’s probably, at that time with less pleasure, and this morning it occurred to me that it might be valuable. No marks on it of any kind. Robinson Crusoe
Is it worth anything?

A:  This book is a reprint as are all of the titles in the Young People's Library. Unless it is a very collectible book (e. g. Alice in Wonderland) or has a nice dust jacket, the volumes in this series have little monetary value.

For more information see: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series202F3.htm Examples of this title's dust jackets are shown there.

Young People's Library

Q:  I have a book entitled Lives of the Presidents of the United States, 1896 copyright by Henry Altemus. It is listed as book 13 on your list. It is blue cloth, with Altemus' name on the spine. The Presidents range from George Washington to Benjamin Harrison. The book is in fairly good condition, except the spine is loose, but still attached. The original cost of the book is listed inside as .50. I am eager to learn if this book is considered antique and if so, what is the estimated value.

A:  This title was published in the Young People's Library between 1896 and about 1913. Three different formats have been seen.

The books can be dated by noting the last president mentioned in the text. The earliest book therefore ends with Grover Cleveland while the latest book notes Woodrow Wilson.

I have not seen a book which lists only to Harrison who finished his term in 1893. Since this title was not published until 1896, it is hard to know why your book does not list Cleveland.

See http://henryaltemus.com/blog/?p=832.

Young People's Library, Format 1

Q:  Your web page is fascinating!

I have the following book. I am less interested in getting money for it, more interested in getting it to someone who could use it. If you have any idea of how to do that I would love to know. Based on the Q&A on your page, I suspect it has a pretty small audience.

A Child's Life of Christ 208 pages.
Series 202 Young peoples Library
Spine Format 1

Blank first page (stuff written in red pen)
Second page blank on front with picture of Jesus on the flip side

I have included pictures of the Cover, Title, and Copyright pages. I think it is probably the 1897/1898 version if I followed your descriptions correctly.

4 pages of ads in the back starting with Robinson Crusoe, ending with Grandfather's Chair.

A:  As you guessed, there is very little interest in this book. You could list it on Ebay with a low price and see if anyone wants it. Beyond that I have no suggestions.

Young People's Library

Q:  I've got a question which may be either specific or general; I don't know. I'm looking at the Altemus edition of Black Beauty from, I think, 1902 (from scans at The Internet Archive, not the physical book), though the ads at the front confuse us by saying "Copyright 1897".

Question: Was there an Altemus house illustrator? Who did the almost-fifty pictures? I can't find an illustrator's name anywhere in the book, but I also don't see any other editions with the same pictures. The cover definitely looks more like 1902 than 1897.

A:  The copyright date is only indicative of when Altemus started publishing this particular version/format. It is not necessarily the publication date.

If you do not have the book, then determining the exact is difficult. With the book in hand it is quite easy.

See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/ypl/index.htm to start.

Altemus generally "borrowed" the pictures it used from other sources.

I have seen several different frontispiece color illustrations in the Black Beauty Books. The internal illustrations appear to be the same between the various Young People Library editions.

Let me know how I can help you further.

Young People's Library Format 1

Q:  I found your website when researching a book that I found in a box in the basement. I have attached a picture for you. According to your website it seems to be a first edition because it has 341 pages. It is listed under Format 1. It says copyright 1896 by Henry Altemus. I have been unable to find how much it might be worth. Can you give me any guidance? Mother Goose Rhymes, Jingles and Fairy Tales

A:  This book is part of Series 202 Format 1-Young People's Library. These books were published between 1895 and 1898. Interestingly it is the only book in this format that does not have the characteristic spine of Format 1 books. (shown here)

This title has a wrap around picture on its spine (see here). There were three editions of this book published in the Format 1 of this series.

The first and second editions have have these same cover with 341 and 252 pages respectively.

Your book has limited collector interest and only has nominal value.