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.

Gem Series

Q:  Not sure what I have here and can't find much information on the books with suede covers. No date inside that I can see. All pages intact, tattered edges, no tears on pages, overall fair cond I would say. Representative Men

A:  Your book is part of the Gem Series and was published in the 1913-1914 era. It originally came within a labeled box. This title is a reprint.

Gem Series

Q:  I recently purchased a book (The Crown of Wild Olive) by Author John Ruskin, which was published by Henry Altemus Company in Philadelphia. I did not see this title mentioned on your website as being one which was published in 1893, when the publishing company did a number of volumes in English calfskin. However, my volume is bound entirely in English calfskin, and it has a gold leaf imprint on the cover as well. Additionally of interest, several of the pages are also not separated (meaning that the publisher did not cut apart the paper after the paper was folded over and bound). I've attached a few photos to show you what I mean.

I was researching the publishing company so that I could best determine a publication year for my volume. I am a collector and do not intend to sell it, however I like to catalogue my books with their publishing information. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or comments on the publication date.

A:  Your book is part of the Gem Series and was published in 1913-1914.

See ../series/series92.htm

Altemus published this title numerous times. If you put the title into the index, you will see a listing.

Altemus did not publish any books with the soft ooze calf (like your book) in 1893.

Gold Dust Series

Q:  Dear Expert! I have an old book "Gold Dust A Collection of Golden Counsels" that I received from my grandmother. It has a suede cover but no publishing date. Do you have any idea of it's age? Thanks...Mary

A:  Your book is part of the ten volume Gold Dust Series. (../series/series95.htm) This series of reprints was published between 1912 and 1918. This book originally all came in a labeled box.

Generally, these books have only nominal value.

Golden Books of Childhood

Q:  Is this an original for Altemus publishing (The Children's Shakespeare)?

A:  No. Your book is part of the three volume series- Golden Books of Childhood. It was published in 1916. It is a large book measured at 8.75 x 6.75. This title was published earlier by Altemus in 1900 in the Dainty Series in a very different appearing format.

Golden Treasury of Religious Thought

Q:  I have a first edition “Gold Dust” (“A Collection of Golden Counsels for the Sanctification of Daily Life – Translated and Abridged From the French by E.L.E.B.”), “Edited by Charlotte M Yonge, Copyrighted 1897 by Henry Altemus” – “To E.B.H. This Little Book is Most Lovingly Dedicated”.
It was given to my Great Aunt for Christmas 1898 and is so inscribed. It is in pretty good condition (no loose pages or darkening on pages). Can you please tell me what it may be worth? An earlier post mentions that these books (series) were not published until after 1907. However, if I am to believe the publish date and personal inscription, this one is prior to that time?
Thank you for any assistance you are able to give.

A:  Your book was published in 1898 and is part of the Golden Treasury of Religious Thought Series.

You will note that this book originally came with a dust jacket.

Altemus published this title numerous times in many different series. The Altemus editions are reprints. I know of 1880 editions of this book published by Dutton in the US and by an English publisher.

It is unlikely you could get more a than a few dollars for your book.

Golden Treasury Series

Q:  A book (The Prince of the House of David) in good condition is listed for over $2500.00 on (site deleted by me so as not to shame the seller).

I have no intention of buying it but what do you think is the value of the book?

A:  This book is a reprint published as part of the Golden Treasury Series in 1899. See: Henry Altemus Company - Golden Treasury Series 99

On a good day with all the stars and planets aligned, it might sell for $10-15.

The description by the seller claims that the frontispiece is signed by the artist. This signature is a facsimile. See here.

Golden Treasury Series

Q:  I'm trying find information on book copyright 1897 philadelphia henry altemus called Daily Food for Christians please thank you.

A:  Your book was published between 1899 as part of the Golden Treasury Series.

It is a reprint with nominal value.

Golden Treasury Series

Q:  Just curious about this book. Daily Food for Christians

A:  Your book is part of the 49 volume Golden Treasury Series and was published in 1899-1900.

See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series99.htm

It is a reprint with nominal value only.

Golden Treasury Series

Q:  I'm trying to track this book (Drummond's Addresses). It has copyrights and signatures dating between 1891 and 1927. According to my research, it wasn't originally published until 1894, and I can't find this particular cover. I also can't find a series number.

A:  Your book is part of the Golden Treasury Series, Format 2 and was published in 1899-1900.

This format was published with several color covers.

Golden Treasury Series

Q:  I have a book called "Christian Living" written by F.B. Meyer and have attached a picture of cover and a few pages in the book. It has a green cover with flowers on front. There is an inscription on one of the front pages that says "Presented To Henry Bush Christmas 1906". I have been looking for a book like this on the internet for quite a while and have yet to find one. I'm hoping that you can help me with a few questions. It does not have a publish date and I also wonder if you can tell me what the value may be on it. I am interested in selling it but want to make sure I put the right price on it.

A:  Your book is from the Golden Treasury Series and was published in 1899.

Although it has a nice decorated cover and is in good shape, it will be hard to sell for more than a few dollars. There is very little demand for this title.

Of interest is that the cover was published in several different colors. They are shown on the series page.