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.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hi there,
I found this unique book (Rip Van Winkle) at a local antique shop, and living in the Hudson Valley, I couldn't resist to pick this up. Do you have more information about this edition of the book, and how rare is it relative to other books published by the company? Thanks!

A:  Hello,
Your book is part of the 15 volume Boys and Girls Classics Series.

The sailboat picture cover was seen between 1908 and the early teens. These books were originally sold within a floral papered labeled box.

This series used the plates from the earlier published Young Peoples Library Series. That is why the title page notes that series.
These books are relatively common.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I didn't find any information on your site about the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book that I own, dated 1897. I have attached images to see if you have any information about it. Thank you.

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

The books in this series were published between 1908 and 1926 and are all reprints of previously published Altemus books. All of the books originally came within labeled floral decorated boxes. There are a number of different covers on these books. Your cover was published in the early-mid teens.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hello! Are you able to tell me if this is an Altemus first edition (Through the Looking Glass)? I am not able to locate this cover decoration on your website; the spine and rear-board also are decorated in color with a continuation of the front board decoration. The book is “Copyright 1897”; and there is a 1909 gift inscription. Your website is very helpful, and I have used it several times over the years.

I look forward to your reply. Thanks and best wishes.

A:  Your book can be found at Boys and Girls Classics.

The exact picture is labeled swatch 6 and is shown in the picture section.

The books of this series are not Altemus firsts but rather reprints of the earlier Young People's Library but with different covers.

Each book originally came in a floral decorated box. An example of the box is shown on the series page.

Boys and Girls Classics Series

Q:  Hello, I am a Seller Broker and a Collector has asked me to sell one of his Alice's Adventures in Wonderland books. I have conducted research but am hoping you can give me some insight as to the year of publication and value of his edition. I have attached a photo of this book, including some ads in the back and the title page.

A:  This book was published as part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. See ../series/series57.htm.

This series used the plates from the Young People's Library-Format 2. Thus you will notice on the title page that it says Young People's Library.

Also the Altemus copyright is on the title page. Although confusing, the copyright is not the date of publication even though it is on the title page.

Looking at the ad pages you have sent, a reasonable guess for date of publication would be 1912. With more ads I might be able come up with another date-but probably not much different.

Value is a tougher question. This book is relatively common. Nonetheless I have seen it sell for anywhere between $5 and $50.

The Altemus reprint Alice prices just seem to me to be unpredictable and not based on scarcity.

Boys and Girls Classics (new)

Q:  Hello, we have a copy of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" with the box. The binding is much different than others we have seen from this era [Date of T.P.1897] The binding is printed cloth in several colors with Dutch people, windmills, etc. Red and black paper labels on the front and spine. White endpapers, color frontis, other color and B & W illus. 160 pp. plus ads. Measures 6.75 X 5.25 inches.

The box has a paper floral top. A paper label on the side of the box say's "NO.2 Altemus Boys and Girls Classics Alice's Adventures In Wonderland."

We cannot find a Altemus copy with this binding anywhere. The book itself is Near Fine. Can we assume this is a rare variant binding? Would you have a est. value?

Thank you for your help and excellent website.

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series57.htm

This is not a rare binding variant. The binding you describe can be seen in its entirety in the picture section as Swatch 1.

I have seen several designs on the box. They are also shown in the picture section.

Estimating the value is a difficult proposition. Some very common Altemus titles sometimes sell for a multiple of what I think they are worth on one day. On the next day they do not sell at all.

I would estimate a fair value for your book with the scarce box is between $25-100.

Boys and Girls Classics (New)

Q:  This book (The Little Lame Prince) belonged to my grandfather. He was born in 1913. I took a look at your site, and I couldn't find anything that looked quite like it. Could you tell me anything about it? Inside Title page says copyright 1900, but as your site suggest, it may have been published after that.

A:  Your book is part of Series 57 Boys and Girls Classics (New) Series. See ../series/series57.htm

This series used various pictorial linen cloths for its covers. Your cover has been designated sw-5a and was published sometime between 1908 and the early teens. The exact year can be determined by a study of the ads.

The dating confusion exists because the original Altemus copyright is on the title page. The copyright is not the same as the date of publication in this instance. Also this series used the text from the Young People's Library and thus the title page says the book is from the Young People's Library. This is not the case however.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I searched all over your site but I could not find anything with this cover. It is missing the first six pages and would love to know the year in which it was printed. thank you!

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series57.htm

It is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. You should be able to accurately date it by looking at the ads in the back of the book.

See the last book published in a series and then look up the series.

Boys and Girls Classics Series

Q:  I have 'Fairy Tales' by Hans Christian Andersen, Illustrated by Four Full Page Pictures in Color plus 100+ black and white illustrations with the Altemus ads in the back. The contents are complete with 224 plus 16 pages of ads. However I’m not sure whether there is a title and publisher page missing as the binding is loose with some sections unattached, but still held together with the tied binding. The cover is somewhat discolored, but still very bright including frontispiece.
I've attached pictures and would love any information you may have as to the value of the book. Contents:

Preface
The Swineherd
The Old House
The Story of a Mother
The Bell
The Red Shoes
The Shirt Collar
The Nightingale
The Leaping March
The Saucy Boy
The Ugly Duckling
The Darning Needle
The Emperor's New Suit
The Storks
The Daisy
The Steadfast Tin Soldier
The Angel
Thumbelina
The Flax
The Real Princess
The Shepherdess and the Sweep
The Flying Trunk
The Little Match Girl

Thanks

A:  Your book is part of the Boys and Girl's Classics Series. For information about this series see: ../series/series57.htm

This book only has nominal value.

Boys and Girls Classics (newer)

Q:  we would like to know if this book (Mother Goose's Rhymes Jingles and Fairy Tales) belongs to henry altemus and what year it was printed, it has no copyright or author, and how much this book may be worth in your opinion we got it at a yard sale for two dollars and want to know if it was worth it.

A:  It was published in 1908 or later. The exact year can be determined by the ads in the back of the book.

You can find out more about your book here: ../series/series57.htm

It only has nominal value.

Boys and Girls Classics Series

Q:  Hi: Can you tell me what date the book in the attachment was printed?
Thank you,

A:  Your book belongs to this series:
Boys and Girls Classics Series

It was published in the early to mid teens.

The ads in the back can give a more exact date.