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.

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  I have a book The History of Tom Thumb. To which are added the stories of The Cat And The Mouse and Fire! Fire! Burn Stick! with thirty-eight illustrations. Altemus Banbury Cross Series. I have found other books in this series that are dated the early 1900's but I cannot find anything on this book. Would I be correct in dating this book around that date? Thank you for your help.

A:  All 10 volumes of the Banbury Cross Series were initially published in 1904 (including your book which is #4 in the series). They were reprinted for a number of years thereafter. The earlier books have decorated endpapers. Later the endpapers were plain. Also initially the design on the left of the book was gold. Later it was green.

Beautiful Stories Series

Q:  Hello, I have this (The First Easter) and was wondering if you can give me some info? I did read what you had on your website about it, your books are lovely by the way! It appears it is one of the earlier editions. It is not in the best shape but it is copyrighted 1906. Someone unfortunately took a marker to a name a some point too:/ I'd appreciate any info you have as well as any idea of its value. Thanks so much!

A:  This book is part of the Beautiful Stories Series.

This ten book series had six formats and this is Format #1. It originally came with a dust jacket. See here.

These books are relatively common and only have nominal value.

Beautiful Stories Series

Q:  I'm trying find out the value of these books and find out how to find a collector. The Wisest Man, the Story of Solomon

A:  This book is from the ten volume Beautiful Stories Series.

This series was published in six different formats. This book is from Format 1 - published in 1906 and originally had a dust jacket.

These books are quite common and in poor shape without a jacket they have no monetary value.

Beautiful Stories Series

Q:  What would you value this book? The First Christmas

A:  This book is part of the ten volume Beautiful Stories Series. This volume is from Format 4 of 6 formats and originally came with a dust jacket. These titles were first published in 1906 and reprinted many times into the 1920s.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Could you help me date this book, and possibly offer a price value?

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1897. See: Beauxarts Series
It is a reprint of a title that is not in great demand.
In my opinion, it has nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I've recently purchased a copy of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Essays, First Series published by Henry Altemus and I can't seem to find a similar cover to my copy anywhere. I was hoping to get a little more information about this book.

A:  Your book was published in 1897 as part of the Beauxarts Series. It is a reprint with nominal value.
See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series47.htm

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I recently found this second edition copy of The Scarlet Letter. I was trying to find the publishing date and after going through your website, I couldn’t find one with this particular cover. Inside there is a handwritten date of 1897 and reason of purchase. There is also the reprinted second edition preface.

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1897. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series47.htm

This is a late reprint of the second edition.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I have the referenced book and am trying to find out the value of this book. Your firm published this book in 1895. I have attached a picture of this book (Poems) for your review.

Could you verify this book and any information you may have for this book.

A:  Your book was published in 1897 as part of the Beauxarts Series (earlier numbering) 47.

It is a reprint.

In my opinion because it is a reprint of a common title and because the book is in poor condition, it has no monetary value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Can you provide any information about this book? "Addresses by Phillips Brooks." What I find most interesting is the section in which a Sermon that was spoken while President Lincoln was Laying in Wait is indicated.

A:  Your book is a reprint. It was published as part of the Beauxarts Series in 1897.

It has nominal value.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Please help me understand what I have here thank you I appreciate your time and consideration.

A:  You have a reprint that was published in 1898 as part of the Beauxarts Series.

Most of the volumes in this series have only nominal value. Certain titles (Alice in Wonderland for example) are more widely collected and may bring a bit of a premium.