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.

Kipling Series

Q:  Hi, I picked this book (Gemini) up because I love Kipling and was curious about it, i saw that it is part of a series - do you know anything else? Is it rare? I cant seem to find it on any rare book sites. Thanks!

A:  Your book is part of Altemus's Kipling Series. This 21 title series was published in 1899.

The books originally came with dust jackets.

Uncommon, yes - Rare, no. Any book with a jacket would be fairly rare.

A picture of the dust jacket is shown here

Kipling Series

Q:  Hello, I have a Kipling book: With the Main Guard. It doesn't have a year, but it states Philadelphia: Henry Altemus behind cover. It's a small 65 page book, leather-bound; from the library of Robert W. Speck. What do you think the year is? And perhaps value. Thank you so much.

A:  This Kipling title only appeared in one Altemus series, The Kipling Series. The 21 title series was published in 1899. There is only one format. These small volumes (6.25" x 4.25") are relatively uncommon and dust jacketed books can be considered rare.

A representative book and dust jacket is shown here.

Kipling Series

Q:  I have the complete set of 1899 Kipling Series 114 books, no jackets in amazing condition. Are you able to give an insurance estimate to replace, or can you point me to someone in AZ who can? I also have other antique books I need to have evaluated.
Thank you in advance for your time.

A:  This is a relatively uncommon Altemus series. The titles were only published between 1899 ands 1901 in one format. The books originally came with dust jackets but the jackets are very scarce. A picture of a representative jacket (front cover and reverse) is shown on the series page.

I think it is reasonable to price the 21 book set between $300 and $400.

Of course, it might take a while to sell them.

For more information see Kipling Series.

Kipling Series

Q:  I have a copy of Rudyard Kipling’s “Cupid’s Arrows.” It’s in great condition, and has a lovely Indian-looking design on the inside front and back covers.

The book is quite small 4 x 6 ½ inches. The cover is cloth, dark red with Indian designs in green… There is no date anywhere on the book.

Could you tell me how old it is. My guess is around the turn of the century, but the story was published in 1888, I believe..so it could be earlier.

A:  This book was part of the Kipling Series (Series #114). There were 21 Kipling reprints in this series which was published in 1899 and was reprinted until 1901. Your volume is #15 in the series. The 1899 books can be distinguished from the later books by seeing Henry Altemus not Henry Altemus Company at the bottom of the title page. They were originally jacketed.

La Belle Fleur Series

Q:  I came across this copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and am unable to properly date the work. Would you be able to help me based on the pictures I provided? If you need any more information, please let me know.

A:  Your book was published in 1901 as part of the La Belle Fleur Series.
This book originally came with a dust jacket. It is a reprint.
For more information see: Henry Altemus Company - La Belle Fleur Series 115

La Belle Fleur Series

Q:  Good Afternoon,
I found this book in my Grandmothers belongings, Uncle Tom's Cabin. Can you tell me anything about it?

A:  Your book is part of the La Belle Fleur Series.
It was published in 1901 and is a reprint.
Originally it had a dust jacket.
See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series115.htm

La Belle Fleur Series

Q:  I discovered this book (Black Beauty) and was wondering if it has any value. There are some condition issues and I would like to know if it would be worth restoring. Thanks.

A:  Your book is part of the La Belle Fleur Series and was published in 1901.

All the books in this publisher's series are reprints.

The books in this series originally came with dust jackets. An example is shown here.

Because of the poor condition, it has no monetary value. It would not be worth the money to restore it.

La Belle Fleur Series

Q:  I recently came across a find (Fanchon) at a local rummage sale and can not seem to find much information on it. I believe it's from the L'Art Nouveau Series as the cover seems to be the same, but your website is the only one with information on these books and it seems to be a mystery to everyone! I would love to hear your take on it and what you think. Do I have a one of a kind? Please observe the attached photos and I would love to hear back from you.

A:  Your book is from the La Belle Fleur Series and was published in 1901. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series115.htm

This series is one of the less common Altemus Publisher’s series. The covers have been seen in a number of different colors.

But all the titles in this series are reprints and unless the title is a very collectible one, the value (without a dust jacket) is minimal.

A picture of the dust jacket is shown here.

La Belle Fleur Series

Q:  To whom it may concern; I was wondering if you could give me some information on this book? A Christmas Carol (Such as publish date and is it part of a set.) Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the La Belle Fleur Series and was published only in 1901. All 115 titles in this series are reprints.

The cover pattern for all of the volumes is the same but the colors varied. These books had dust jackets.

La Belle Fleur Series

Q:  I have THE SONG OF HIAWATHA book from my Grandfather. Could you please tell me any information you have so that I may pass it & the book on to my son. On the top right of the inside cover NO - 58 is written. Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1901. It is part of the 131 volume La Belle Fleur Series. It originally came with a dust jacket. (An example is shown here). As with all the the titles in this series, it is a reprint.