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.

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  We were going through an attic at Grandmas house and came across this book with a copyright of 1905. Little Bo-Peep. Is it worth anything?

A:  This book is part of the Bo-Peep Series. All eight of the titles were published in 1905. Although nice books for children, they have no significant value.

These books originally had dust jackets an example of which is shown here.

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  Hello, I have a book titled "Song of Sixpence" and I am trying to find as much out about it as I can.

A:  Hello, Your book is part of the eight title Bo-Peep Series and was published in 1905.

It originally had a dust jacket. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series55.htm

In this shape it has no monetary value.

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  I volunteer at a small rural library and wondered if this book has value. Little Bo-Peep

A:  This book is part of the eight title Bo-Peep Series.

These books are all reprints and originally came with a dust jacket. A sample jacket from this series is shown here.

Unfortunately without a dust jacket the books in this series only have nominal value.

Bo Peep Series

Q:  I can't find this book anywhere? Little Miss Muffet

A:  This book is part of the eight book Bo-Peep Series. These books were published in 1905 and originally had dust jackets. Each book in the series has a book appropriate paste-on on the front cover.

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  Hello, I purchased a small hardcover book at an Estate Sale here in Sun City Center, Fl and it is a small hard cover book entitled WHERE ARE YOU GOING MY PRETTY MAID? It is a series of short stories copyright date 1905 by HENRY ALTEMUS. Can you please give me the history on this book?

A:  This book was published in 1905 and is part of the eight volume Bo-Peep Series. I am including a picture of the rather plain uncoated brown paper dust jacket that this book came with.

For more information see ../series/series55.htm.

Bo-Peep Series

Q:  Could you please tell me the value of this book (Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary)?

A:  This book is part of the eight volume Bo-Peep Series. The books of this series are large (8.5 x 6.75) and came with dust jackets. (Shown with the book). All eight books were published in 1905. Generally without a dust jacket they do not sell for more than a few dollars each.

Boys and Girls Booklovers Series

Q:  Can you identify this book (The Wanderings of Joe and Little Em)?

A:  This book is part of the Boys and Girls Booklovers Series. See ../series/series56.htm.

This series of 22 books consisted of children's stories. Many, including this one, were first editions.

The books had dust jackets and were published in this series between 1905 and 1907.

The author of this book, Albert Bigelow Paine, was best known as a biographer of Mark Twain. (http://www.twainquotes.com/19370410.html)

Boys and Girls Classics (New)

Q:  I have just today found this on my dusty bookshelf (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)- I honestly don’t know where it came from, no name or any marks inside. It is gently foxed, and the cover is charming… if it is worth nothing to collectors, I’ll keep it for the sharp text and images (letterpress?) and the excellent scent of history.

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series.

See: Henry Altemus Company - Boys and Girls Classics (new) Series 57

It is a reprint and was published in the early to mid 1910's.

It is missing the front cover paste on but in fairness most people would not know.

There are lots of "Alice" collectors and although the cover does not relate directly to Alice, there are still people who might find your book desirable.

Price can be very random. I have seen sales anywhere from $10-50. But sometimes it does not sell at all.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Was wondering if you could tell me a bit about this edition of Black Beauty? Thanks for your time.

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. Henry Altemus Company - Boys and Girls Classics (new) Series 57

This series of fifteen reprints was published between 1908 and 1926. The internal text and title page comes from the plates of Young People’s Library books.

The cover is a linen swatch. For more about the linen swatches see the webpage for this series.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hello. I had recently come across your website, and I must say that it is very informative. I would like to ask you a question about a certain book that I have. I believe that it comes from the Boys and Girls' Classics (new), as your site identifies by its dust jacket: http://henryaltemus.com/series/images/S57_sw7a.jpg

I have the Black Beauty story version, and my question is about how much do you think that my book would sell for?

I will include pictures of my book in this email.

A:  This book is part of the 15 title Boys and Girls Classics Series.

These books were published between 1908 and 1926 and are all reprints. They originally came within a florally decorated labeled box.

A number of different linen swatch pictures are seen on these books. Certain cover pictures were seen in different years. See the website for details.

In this shape your book has no monetary value.