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.

Altemus Library (2)

Q:  Hello! I have The Song of Hiawatha and after extensive searching online I have been unable to find a similar cover to estimate value and exact publication date.

A:  Your book was published in 1913-1914 as part of the Altemus Library.

See: Henry Altemus Company - Altemus Library (2) Series 38

In my opinion it has nominal value.

Altemus Library

Q:  I have a book Published by Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia. It was given as a gift in 1917. Title is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It is in very good condition. Wondering what the value is. It is hard bound red with gold lettering.

A:  This book was published in 1913-1914 as part of the Altemus Library. It originally had a dust jacket that matched the cover.

The title is a reprint but still rather popular. $10-15 is a reasonable estimate of value.

Altemus Library (2)

Q:  I just purchased this version of the A Christmas Carol. Would appreciate anything you can tell me about it: date published, illustrator, etc.

I have been collecting The Carol for my three children for over 30 years and was very excited to get this edition and learn that Altemus published many versions of The Carol.

Which was the most beautiful edition that Altemus published? Any photos of that edition?

A:  Your version can be found here: ../series/series38.htm

This format originally had a dust jacket which matched the book.

Most of the Altemus Carol's are nice but nothing unbelievable.

There are literally hundreds of different covers.

For a look, see: ../search/titlesearch.php?q=christmas+Carol&Submit=Go

If I was picking one I would go with either this one ../series/series65.htm because it had a nice piece of holly attached to it and it came in a nice floral box or this one ../series/series58.htm

This title was published in many of the publisher's series and they had interesting different covers every year. Look at the series' pictures when using the index.

Virtually every Altemus version of the "Carol" has a representative cover picture on the site.

Altemus Library (2)

Q:  We have this book (The House of the Seven Gables) and as you can see, it is in very good condition. Published in 1892. No dust cover. Can you give us any information regarding its value?

A:  Your book can be found here:
Altemus Library

It was published between 1913 and 1916.

The Altemus copyright refers to the first time Altemus published this title as a reprint in 1892.

It has only nominal value.

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  Can you tell me the value of this book? The Three Bears

A:  This book is from the Banbury Cross Series This series has ten volumes and was published in 1904.

These books originally had dust jackets.

Your book is in terrible shape and has no monetary value.

Here is what the dust jackets looked like.

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  I'd like to know more about this book. I did not find it described on your website. Chicken Little

An inscription says that the book was in the 1906 San Fransisco earthquake and was owned by a Mrs. Bresson. Is it a rare book? Does it have any value?

Thank you for any information you can provide.

A:  Your book is part of the ten volume Banbury Cross Series and is pictured here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series44.htm

It was published in 1904 and originally came with a dust jacket.

It has nominal value.

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book? Blue Beard
Here is what it looks like.

A:  Your book belongs to the ten book Banbury Cross Series.

This series was first published in 1904 and 1905 and reprinted for a number of years thereafter. It consists of various fairy tales.

All of the books have the same decoration on the left half of the cover and a book appropriate illustration on the right half.

Each volume came with a dust jacket. See Banbury Cross Series for examples of the early and later jacket.

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  My name is Emma and I recently bought a book titled "The Fairy Gifts" published by what I believe to be this company, in 1905. I have only been able to find two for sale online both for $89.99, but no information on the book itself. I was inquiring to see if you had any information on whether this book was published by this company and anything about the book at all. I am very interested in anything at all that you can tell me about this book. Also if you have any idea of how much this books is worth. I greatly appreciate any time you take to reply to this message, and any information you have about this book.

A:  Your book is part of the Banbury Cross Series. See ../series/series44.htm

Of course, everyone has an opinion - but the likelihood of anyone selling this book especially without the dust jacket for anything close to $89 is zero.

Although it is a nice book, it is not very widely sought after. Generally when the books of this series sell, it is for $15 or less.

One of the important things to note is that anyone can list a book for any price they want. Selling it is a lot tougher. There are lots of outlandish prices on line for Altemus books. These books most often stay unsold over the months and years.

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  What is the value of this book (Blue Beard)? How should I store it?

A:  Your book is part of the Banbury Cross Series. This ten book series of fairy tales originally were issued with dust jackets. This book without a dust jacket is quite common. I do not think your method of storage can hurt its value.

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  I have a copy of a book titled "Old Mother Hubbard" with added stories of Puss in Boots and A Frog He Would A-Wooing Go, By Henry Altemus, copyright, 1904. (46 Illustrations. I would be interested in information you may have about the book and if it has any value please.

A:  This ten volume series was published in 1904. These Fairy Tales' books all initially had dust jackets. Value is nominal without the jacket. See ../series/series44.htm for more information.