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.

Dainty Series

Q:  I am doing research on two books published by the Henry Altemus Company. They were written by Mary D. Brine and published in 1900 and 1903. They are The Doings of a Little Couple (1900) and How a Little Couple Went Abroad (1903). I am interested in finding out the name of the illustrator or illustrators for each book. Would you have that information? They are going to be used in an exhibition and we would like to identify the artist of the illustration for the public. Additional information you can provide on the books would also be most helpful. Your web page was a wonderful find. If you could place the books within your series I would be most appreciative. I have attached a photograph of each book to assist you.

A:  I am unable to help with the illustrators. Sorry.

Both books were part of the Dainty Series (Series #74). The Dainty Series was a series of total of 26 books of which yours are numbered 9 (Doings..) and 15 (How..). There were a number of different formats. Your books are from Format 2 and were published in the early 1900s. They all came with dust jackets. I am enclosing a picture of what the format 2 books' jacket looked like. This series was occasionally called the Honor Bright Series in some catalogues.

Devotional Series

Q:  Hello, I am attempting to research numerous books owned by my grandfather. I found this lovely volume entitled Buy Your Own Cherries. I’m curious as to when it was published and if there is any value in it? I appreciate your help.

A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series and was published in this format between 1898-1924. See: Henry Altemus Company - Devotional Series 75

It is a reprint without any monetary value.

Devotional Series

Q:  I stumbled on this copy of Lowell's Poems, and in trying to research it a bit, I stumbled on your site. Cool work!
Based on what I'm seeing on your site, it looks like this copy is pre-1900, but I couldn't find the title in the non-series work or this cover in the series' you've got.

A:  This book is part of a publisher's series called the "Devotional Series".
All of the titles in this series are reprints.
It was published in 1895.
For more information see: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series75.htm

Devotional Series

Q:  Good Afternoon, I am curious about this little book I have enjoyed reading. Addresses by Phillips Brooks.
I could not find a cover like this one on the Internet. It feels lovely in the hand-sturdy, and heavy for its size.

A:  Your book was published in 1895 and is part of the Devotional Series.

It originally came in a labeled box. It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Devotional Series

Q:  I have this copy of Drummonds Addresses. I could not find this cover online and wondered if you could tell me about it. There is no copyright year that I can find except it was published in Philadelphia at Henry Altemus Company.

A:  This book is part of the Devotional Series.

Your book is is a Format 5 volume.

It originally was sold within a labeled box.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Devotional Series

Q:  Would you be able to give me an approximate value of this book? Morning Thoughts. I am confused since the title page only has Henry Altemus but the back includes company. Thank you for any help.

A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series. This 75 title series was published in nine different formats between 1895 and 1933.

Most likely an old title page was used for this volume.

None of the titles in this series are especially collectible/valuable.

Devotional Series

Q:  Just wondering what I have here. Gold Dust. I find no dates, but the back lists several books at prices from $.40 to $.50!

A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series. All of the titles in this series are reprints. It was published sometime between 1901-1904.

It was originally sold within a labeled box.

Devotional Series

Q:  I have been on your site numerous times trying to send you an email regarding a book donated to our library which does not have a publication/copyright date. Can you help me determine the monetary value of this book? Any assistance you can could provide would be much appreciated.

The name of the book is Abide in Christ: Thoughts on the Blessed Life of the Fellowship with the Son of God by Rev. Andrew Murray.

I've attached a picture of the cover of this book with this email (the date of Sept. 2016 refers to the month I sent this email to you NOT the publication date.)

A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series. It was published in about 1907 and originally came within a labeled box.

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Devotional Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book? Pathway of Promise

A:  This book belongs to the long running publisher's series: The Devotional Series.

During its 38 year run, titles were published in ten different formats.

This volume is from Format 5 and was published between 1898 and 1924. It was originally sold within a labeled box. See here.

For other format examples, see the web page.

Devotional Series

Q:  Can you help me identify this book? Holy in Christ

A:  This book is a first format book from the Devotional Series. The format was published between 1895 and the late 1890's.

It originally came within a labeled box.