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.

Non Series

Q:  I have a set of William Shakespeare books published in 1891. It says set of four original binding. I'm just curious about their history. Some of the information provided on your site doesn't seem to match my books.

A:  This four volume set of Shakespeare's Works can be found here: Non Series #127. The set originally came within a box which was sold for $5.00.

This set is not nearly as common as the 31 volume set published between 1899-1930's. See Shakespeare's Plays.

Your set seems to be very similar if not exactly the same as the one shown on the website.

Non Series #128

Q:  I have attached pictures of a book (She Who Will Not When She May By Eleanor Walton) I have had from an estate sale for sometime now. I bought it for 1.00 and was wondering how much it would be worth?

It says Copyright 1898 By Henry Altemus (Philadelphia)

I would say the book in general is in good vintage condition. It is hardcover and the black and white picture in the front has fallen out (but I have kept it with the book). Other than that is just has a few minor stains on cover and some spotting on the top pages of the book when closed.

Thank you for your time.

A:  Three editions of this book were published by Altemus (not including the boxed ooze calf editions). Unfortunately you have not sent me a picture of the title page. The first edition's imprint states Henry Altemus whereas the later editions show Henry Altemus Company as the imprint. Further distinguishing features can be found here: ../images/NS_128.htm.

All three editions have similar designs on the front cover- only the colors are different. See examples.

In average to poor shape this book is probably worth $10-20.

Non Series

Q:  Hello I am sending 3 pics of this book (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) I have acquired. I cannot locate another like it. Would you be so kind as to identify, date and any other info. Much appreciated

A:  This 1916 book came in two different formats. The earlier books have illustrated endpapers and a color picture opposite of the title page. The later books have plain endpapers and a tipped in picture opposite of the title page. It measures 11.25 x 8.5.

This is one of the scarcest Altemus Alice formats. Certainly it is many times rarer than the Alice's of the Young People's Library. In my opinion, it is also a much nicer book.

It came in a labeled box (which has not been seen).

Click here for more information and to see the endpapers.

Altemus Bible

Q:  The attached pictures show what I believe to be an 1892 version. Is it a rare or valuable version? Other than the cover the pages are in pristine condition.

Thank you for your assistance.

A:  Altemus published Bibles between the 1870's and the late 1890's. So far 59 different covers have been seen with these oversized Bibles. This cover is #B41.
The Bibles have a number of possible different sections:

1. Old and New Testament
2. Dore Illustrations
3. Marriage Certificate and Family Registration
4. Revised Version Appended
5. Apocrypha, Concordance, Psalms on Metre
6. Smith's Dictionary
7. Bible History and Analysis
8. Cyclopedia of the Bible
9. Dictionary of Names
10. Notes and commentary by Rev. Walter McGilvray

The more expensive deluxe formats have the most sections. Some bindings are also fancier than others. Because these books are so heavy, they are commonly found with broken bindings. They usually sell for between $50-$125.

Non Series #23

Q:  I'm writing to you about a book that I have in hopes that you can help me. I have a copy of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell by Philadelphia Henry Altemus Company. I found the picture on your website showing it to be 1922. I'm intrigued by your website and hope to eliminate myself from ever being one of your listings about errors on EBAY. I really want to be an informed seller.
Thank you for any information or pricing that you can provide to me.

A:  Your book is indeed a 1922 Altemus publication of Black Beauty. It is not part of a series. It originally was published with a dust jacket which matches the front cover of the book. See a picture at ../images/NS_23.htm

It does not have much value but you can determine that with an auction on Ebay.

Platt and Munk Altemus reprint

Q:  I can't find any info on this little green book can u help me. Thanks. Little Black Sambo and the Tiger Kitten

A:  Your book is a late reprint of an original publication of the Henry Altemus Company. It originally came with a dust jacket. Publication date was the late 1930's.

For more see: Platt and Munk

Non Series #45

Q:  I could not find this cover anywhere online, have you?
Don'ts for Boys
1902, Henry Altemus Company

A:  This non-series title was published in five different formats. This one is the fourth edition. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/images/NS_45.htm

This edition has been seen in numerous linen cover designs. The books originally came with dust jackets.

Non Series

Q:  Hey I had gotten this book (Grimm's Fairy Tales) for Christmas and I was wondering if you had information on it. Someone had written 1898 in the front cover but I wasn’t sure if that was the publishing date or not. Thanks

A:  This book was published in 1918. It is 333 pages and has numerous short tales with a number of colored pictorial illustrations. It is oversized at 8.25 x 6.

After 1922 Altemus reprinted this book with a new cover that has an appliqué. The new book has plain endpapers and the key dating point: At the base of the copyright page it says "Printed in the United States of America" indicating a post-1922 publication.

Non Series #7

Q:  Hello, I'm trying to find more information about my book (Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales). I believe it is the Altemus 1918 non-series publication. Would this be considered a first edition? Please correct me if I'm wrong and give me any more information that I may be missing. Thank you!

A:  It is the non series Altemus publication. Since all the stories have previously appeared in other books, I do not think it can be called a first edition. However, it probably can be called the "First Edition, thus". It originally came with a dust jacket. It is of a similar format to Grimm's Fairy Tales which was also published in 1918 See: ../images/NS_64.jpg

Non Series 128

Q:  I came across this book, She Who Will not When She May by Eleanor G. Walton 1898, at a flea market and it was so pretty, appeared to be old and was in such good condition that I decided to buy it. Based on what I've read on your site, I believe it to be a first edition. Are you able to confirm and can you tell me what it's worth? Would appreciate any other info you can provide as well. Thanks!

A:  Three editions of this book have been seen (Not including the ooze calf binding variant). The first edition is the only one that has the Henry Altemus not the Henry Altemus Company imprint.

For other methods to distinguish the various editions see ../images/NS_128.htm