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.

Children's Gift Series

Q:  Howdy,
I just found an old Altemus book: Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. It's got a different cover from the ones I could find on your website and doesn't seem to be part of a "young people's library" based on the lack of spine decoration. It's dated 1897, but obviously might not be from that early. It has four color plates and numerous Tenniel illustrations. (Color do not seem to be Tenniel.) No Tweedle Dee and Dum on the cover - rather it's the queens and Alice.

Any idea what series this is from? Or what year it was published?

A:  What applies to Alice applies to Through the Looking Glass. This answer was given as a response previously.

False description of Alice in Wonderland book on Ebay

I received two questions about a particular book up for auction on Ebay. The price was going through the roof but the description of the book was totally inaccurate.

Regarding Alice in Wonderland 1897 'rare' edition

That is the sale I am interested in, and rather relieved to hear you say that it is not all it is cracked up to be. I'm just beginning my foray into antique books, having purchased a few as gifts for friends and such, I've become quite fond of collectors items. You mentioned certain statements in the description that were inaccurate, and I was curious as to what these are. I am tremendously interested in eventually getting my hands on a copy of Alice in Wonderland but, as you have pointed out, there are a lot of people out there willing to pay far too much, and I'd rather learn it before burning 2-3 times the value of the book. Any information you can provide is deeply appreciated.

I became the highest bidder and came across your review on a site with a reference to your email to explain further some incorrections in the description? please elaborate for me as i do not want any ill bidding or buyers remorse and would appreciate your expertise.

A: First. Since Henry Altemus incorporated in 1900 to become Henry Altemus Company, any book with the imprint Henry Altemus Company has to be published in 1900 or later. You will see on one of the pictures that this is the case.

The copyright of this book comes from an 1897 edition that Altemus did publish. Altemus published this title in a myriad of formats-most all were actually published prior to this edition.

Go to my website-henryaltemus.com and put Alice in the Title Search to see all of the many formats.

This book is part of either Series #64 or #200 (they are the same series except for a name change). See: ../series/series200.htm and ../series/series64.htm.
These books were published between 1912 and 1920.

This book is not the "rare" Altemus first edition although I have to say that even if it were, it would not command this type of money.

The first Altemus editions actually were published in 1895. See ../series/series202F1.htm

This book (or one just like it) had been on Ebay for several years. The description at that time was very similar to this description. Whether this is the same seller or someone just using that description is unclear to me.

I certainly do not know everything but I have studied Altemus and its books for many years and maintain the website about Altemus.

I wrote an article last year about the Altemus "Alices" for the Lewis Carroll newsletter.

This is a nice book but its description is incorrect. In my opinion it is not worth near the present bid price. But I guess if a buyer pays this kind of money, it is worth the price to him/her.

Children's Gift Series

Q:  False description of Alice in Wonderland book on Ebay

I received two questions about a particular book up for auction on Ebay. The price was going through the roof but the description of the book was totally inaccurate.

Regarding Alice in Wonderland 1897 'rare' edition

That is the sale I am interested in, and rather relieved to hear you say that it is not all it is cracked up to be. I'm just beginning my foray into antique books, having purchased a few as gifts for friends and such, I've become quite fond of collectors items. You mentioned certain statements in the description that were inaccurate, and I was curious as to what these are. I am tremendously interested in eventually getting my hands on a copy of Alice in Wonderland but, as you have pointed out, there are a lot of people out there willing to pay far too much, and I'd rather learn it before burning 2-3 times the value of the book. Any information you can proivde is deeply appreciated.

I became the highest bidder and came across ur review on a site with a reference to your email to explain further some incorrections in the description? please elaborate for me as i do not want any ill bidding or buyers remorse and would appreciate your expertise.

A:  First. Since Henry Altemus incorporated in 1900 to become Henry Altemus Company, any book with the imprint Henry Altemus Company has to be published in 1900 or later. You will see on one of the pictures that this is the case.

The copyright of this book comes from an 1897 edition that Altemus did publish. Altemus published this title in a myriad of formats-most all were actually published prior to this edition.

Go to my website-henryaltemus.com and put Alice in the index to see all of the many formats.

This book is part of either Series #64 or #200 (they are the same series except for a name change).
See: Series 200 and Series 64.

These books were published between 1912 and 1920.

This book is not the "rare" Altemus first edition although I have to say that even if it were, it would not command this type of money.

The first Altemus editions actually were published in 1895. See Series 202 Format 1

This book (or one just like it) had been on Ebay for several years. The description at that time was very similar to this description. Whether this is the same seller or someone just using that description is unclear to me.

I certainly do not know everything but I have studied Altemus and its books for many years and maintain the website about Altemus.
I wrote an article last year about the Altemus "Alices" for the Lewis Carroll newsletter.

This is a nice book but its description is incorrect. In my opinion it is not worth near the present bid price. But I guess if a buyer pays this kind of money, it is worth the price to him/her.

The Christmas Gift Series

Q:  I would like any information you have on this book! The Courtship of Miles Standish (date, value, etc.) Thank you very much.

A:  Your book is part of The Christmas Gift Series published in about 1906-1907. It originally came with a piece of holly attached to the front cover within a labeled box. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series65.htm

Value: maybe a couple of dollars.

Christmas Gift Series

Q:  I have this book, The Song of Hiawatha, and I need more info on it. It appears to belong to the "Altemus Christmas gift series."

Can you tell me anything about it?

A:  This book is part of the “Christmas Gift Series”. Henry Altemus Company - Christmas Gift Series 65

This 25 volume series of reprints was published between 1906 and 1907. The books originally had a piece of holly attached to the front cover and were sold in a labeled box.

Christmas Gift Series

Q:  Lucile by Owen Meredith

A:  Your book is part of the Christmas Gift Series.

It was published in 1906-1907. Originally it had a piece of holly attached to the front cover and was sold within a labeled floral decorated box. It only has nominal value.

Pictures of a book with the holly attached and the box are shown here.

Christmas Gift Series

Q:  I am writing to you to ask for your assistance in a book.
I have this book by Holmes and can find it nowhere on your website. I am looking for an approximate value. I have attached a picture of the front and side of the book. All of the pages inside are in excellent condition. It really looks great on the inside. The outside has some stains. I would appreciate any information you may be able to provide.

A:  Your book is part of a series which has not been uploaded onto the website as of yet.

The series is the Christmas Gift Series and was published in about 1907. The books originally came in a labeled florally decorated box. I have seen books colored pink, brown and light green. Initially within the box there was an attached piece of holly on the front cover. See below.

All of the books of this series are reprints and so to sell one for more than nominal dollars ($5-10) you need to find someone who specifically collects that title or author or someone like me who collects anything that Altemus published.

With many Altemus books that have no major collector interest, people list on Ebay with a starting price of $4.99 or 9.99 and see what happens.

Pictured here is the front cover of the box.

Classics Series

Q:  Going through some of my grandmothers old books and found this one. I love old books and would just like to get some info on it, like date of publication etc. I can't seem to find this version on the internet like I have with the other books. Macbeth

Thank you so much! Let me know if you need additional pictures :)

A:  Your book is part of the Classics Series. It was published in the 1907-1909 era. Originally it was sold with a dust jacket.

It is a reprint.

Classics Series/Vademecum Series

Q:  I have two small books with no dates (see attached for covers). The "Poems" book has someone's handwritten notation that reads "Downey, March 18th, 1894". Can you please tell me when these were published and if they have any value?

A:  The "Poems" entitled book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1894. It is a reprint. There are many Poe collectors out there and one if them may find your book of interest. I suspect less than $20 though. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm

The "Sonnets" is part of the Classics Series and was published in the 1907-1909 era. It is also a reprint. This book only has nominal value. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series69.htm

Classics Series

Q:  Hello,
I went through your website, but I wasn’t able to tell what year my book might be from. Kept for the Master's Use. It’s not terribly important, but I would like to know if you are able and have the time.

Here are pictures. There is no other publisher information anywhere in it.

A:  This book is part of the Classics Series.

The books in this series were published in five different formats. This is the earliest format.

These covers were published in the 1907-1913 era.

This format was published with a dust jacket. Shown here.

Classics Series

Q:  I found this book and was hoping you could give me some information about it. It has no publication date. Milton's Poems. Thank you.

A:  Your book is from the Classics Series.

It was published in the 1907-1909 era.

It originally came with a dust jacket. See here.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.