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:  I would like to know something about this book (A Christmas Carol) if you could help. The first 4 pages are missing so I have know idea the year it was published, and can’t find one to compare it to.
Thank you for any help you can give me.

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

This book style was published between 1899 and 1906 and originally came within a labeled box. Your book can be dated rather accurately by looking at the ads in the back of the book and checking the dating information on the series page noted above. As you know this title is a late reprint as the first edition was published in 1844.

Boys and Girls Series Classics (old)

Q:  What year is this book (A Christmas Carol) really? Is it a reprint? What is its worth? Thank you.

A:  Yes, it is a reprint. This format was published between 1900 and 1906. It originally came with a labeled box. The first American edition of the Christmas Carol was published in 1844.

Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. On the website there is an explanation of how to date your book more precisely -using the ads in the back of the book.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hello. I recently purchased the attached book Black Beauty and cannot find the copyright or possible value. Can you assist? Thank you.

A:  Your book was published between 1899-1906 as part of the Boy and Girls Classics' Series. It can be more accurately dated by following the information at ../series/series58.htm

It is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box.

In this condition it may be worth a couple of dollars.

Boys and Girls Classics Series

Q:  Just curious if this book is a collector and its value. Thank you for any information you can give me. Jessica's First Prayer

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

This series included 40 titles all of which are reprints. It was published between 1899 and 1906.

Two formats have been noted. One with the gold gilt decoration on the cover (your book) and one without. It is shown here.

On the website there is a flowchart which can help you to exactly date your book. Except for a few desirable titles, most of these books have little value. Your book is in poor shape so it would be a hard sell.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Thank you in advance for your help. I'd like to know the date of publication and value of book: Shakespeare's Heroines. Please see attached photos.

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

In order to determine the date of this book (1900-1906) you will need to look at this site: Boys and Girls Classics and go through the simple flow chart using the ads in the back of the book.

It only has nominal value.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I wish for you to help me. I have found this book and I was wondering about the print date. It is called “Two Years Before The Mast.” Thank you in advance for any help in this matter. If you need a better description of this book then you may call me at (936)xxx-xxxx

A:  This book is part of the 40 title Boys and Girls Classics series.

All of the books originally came within a labeled box. Two formats have been seen. Yours, with the gold gilt decorative pattern between the vertical lines, and books without this decoration. Each book has a book appropriate picture on the front cover. Your book was published between 1900 and 1902.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  Hello, I have a copy of of Hawthorne's A Wonder Book from my grandparents, and I'm not sure what to do with it.

I have not been able to take a good photo of it but will try to describe it: Blue cover, title in gold in top third, lower 2/3s divided vertically in three unequal panels, center panel has a figure in profile in what could be Greek dress with sandals, author's name along bottom. Cover and panels outlined in what may have been gilded lines. Cover intact, a few loose pages.

So far none of my friends with children that age have been interested, and it's not the sort of book I want to keep in my collection.
It's been an interesting hunt to learn about this book. Thanks for your website!

A:  This book is part of the 58 book Boys and Girls Classics.

This series has a centrally located paste-on picture which is different for each book and book appropriate. There are two cover formats. One which has the gold leaf decorative pattern within the vertical sections and one that does not have these decorations.

These books are all reprints and have little value except for those books with collectible titles.

The books can be dated using the ads in the back.

Boys' and Girls' Classics Series

Q:  Dear Expert,

I have a copy of the book Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb. It is hard cover 368 pages without illustrations. The only date I can find is on the back of the introduction page. " October 1878 initialed A.A". Please send me what information on the date of publication and what edition it may be and any additional interesting facts you may have. Thank you so very much for your time and knowledge.

A:  Your book was published between 1899 and 1906. It is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series. It is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box. It has only nominal value.

To date your book exactly follow the directions on the series' web page.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I am trying to figure out the publishing date of this book (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland). I have read your website, but things do not match up because this was given to my aunt’s mom in 1900. I have included the front cover pic as well as publisher page but it oddly shows no date. I have never seen a book without a date?
Thanks for any info.
Appreciate it very much.

A:  Most books of this era have no date.

It is part of Series 58 Boys and Girls Series. This series published books between 1899 and 1906. Because your book's title page says Henry Altemus Company and since Altemus incorporated in 1900, we know that it was published in 1900 or later. The inscription from Xmas 1900 tells us it was published no later than that date. Thus a 1900 publication is presumed.

Boys and Girls Classics Series

Q:  We believe we have a copy of The Prince of the House of David by Rev. J.H. Ingraham. l from the La Belle Fleur series 1899. We would like to know if we are correct, and if so, what might such a book be worth. Pictures are enclosed. Thank you.

A:  Your book is actually from the Boys and Girls Classics Series.

It was published between 1900 and 1906. It originally came within a labeled box.

In this condition it has no value.