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.

Mother Goose Series

Q:  While preparing for a garage sale my wife came across this book published by the Henry Altemus Company of Philadelphia. The "Puss in Boots and Other Stories" is in relatively good condition (an amateurs opinion). Although there is no copyright date on it there is an inscription from my wife's Great Grand Mother to her daughter dated December 25, 1903.

Any help or direction you can lend in determining its approximate value would be appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the Mother Goose Series.

The red coloring on the left half off the cover indicates it is from the first format of this series and based on the inscription, a 1903 or 1904 publication. The stories and contents were reprinted from previously published works. It originally came with a dust jacket.

Collectors would consider your book to be in fair condition without any value. What someone might pay at a garage sale is hard to know.

Mother Goose Series

Q:  Please can you help me shed some light on a book I have inherited when I lived in America. I cannot find any dates on it but the second to last page (96 in total) advertise the Mother Goose series 131 Volumes 12. I only have the one book (The House That Jack Built) and from the picture you can see it wasn't looked after before it was given to me. Please can you advise if this book is worth anything as I will therefore get it insured. Also if you require me to give you more details from within the book do let me know.

A:  This book is from the 12 title Mother Goose Series.

This title is from the first format of this series published in 1903.

These volumes were published with a dust jacket. An example from this format is shown here.

Mother Goose Series

Q:  Hello from what I have found on your site I have in my possession a copy of format 1 #11 The Sleeping Beauty and Other Stories. It is in fair condition considering its age. I am looking to sell this book and wondering what a fair price would be to ask for it. Since you are the expert on all things Henry Altemus I figured you would be the person to ask. I don't want to swindle anyone by over pricing it just looking to sell it to someone who will appreciate it.

Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

A:  This twelve book series was published in three different formats. The earliest (your book) covers have a vellum decoration on the left third of the cover which has been seen in blue, red, green or dark beige. The right half has a book appropriate pictorial picture within an oval. The dust jacket matches the left decoration but the right is plain (see here). The books are 96 pages.

The second format is the same as the first format except that the vellum decoration is beige and the books are only 64 pages.

The third format cover has a pictorial book appropriate picture.

These books can be hard to sell if they are not in great shape and/or do not have a dust jacket. Anything more than a few dollars would be a good sale for you.

For more information see Mother Goose Series

Mother Goose Series

Q:  I'm trying find origin this book (The Sleeping Beauty and Other Stories). Can you help me?

A:  Your book is part of the Mother Goose Series.

It is part of Format 2 of that series and was published in the early 1900's. Originally it came with a dust jacket.

I am not sure what you mean by its origin. The Altemus edition is taken from previously published stories.

Mother Goose Series

Q:  After my parents died, I found:

Our Animal Friends: One Hundred Illustrations
Henry Altemus Company

In the attic. I know it was published in the late 1800s. I would like to sell it, but I have no idea what it is worth. The cover is worn, but the pages are in excellent condition (some dusty fingermarks). I have searched the web, but I cannot find any reference to it. If you would like, I can send digital photos. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciate.

A:  Your book belongs to the twelve book Mother Goose Series.

The book of this series came in one of three formats. Your book looks like it is a Format 1 book which was published in the 1903-1905 range.

These books originally came with dust jackets. Without the jacket and in relatively poor shape, your book will be a hard sell at any price.

Mother Goose Series

Q:  My grandmother left me several old books, one of them is Beauty and the Beast and other stories. Can you help provide me with confirmation of information about this book, possibly its value if there is any, and is it possibly a 1st edition. I’m considering selling it and need to verify what I have and what it may be worth if possible. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated

A:  You can determine the edition of your book by looking here: ../series/series131.htm

It is a second format book in the Mother Goose Series. The first format books have a colored left sided cover vellum. Compare the pictures. The first format book has red vellum on the left of the cover.

Your book is a reprint and without a dust jacket will be difficult to sell for more than a few dollars.

Mother Goose Series

Q:  Hello,
This book doesn’t appear in your database. I am hoping that you might be able to give me some information on it.
Thank you for your time.

A:  Actually this book is in the database.

See ../series/series131.htm for more information.

It is Format 3 #4 on the page above. It originally came with a dust jacket which had the same picture on it as the cover of the book.

It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Mother Goose Series

Q:  HI.. found your site.. I have this book (Aladdin) from my dad's collection & could not find any information on ebay or other sites.. just curious what feedback you may have..

A:  Your book can be found here: Series 131

It is part of the Mother Goose Series- Format 3. It is relatively common and originally came with a dust jacket. It generally does not sell for more than a few dollars.

Mother Goose Series

Q:  I have a copy of Jack and the Bean Stalk and Other Stories that is not dated. I inherited it from my mother. She told me that it had belonged to her grandmother which would date back to the 1800's. I've attached pictures in hopes that you can tell me what year it was published and if it is a 1st Edition.

A:  Your book was part of the Mother Goose Series (#131) that was published for the first time in 1905. This series had four formats of which yours is the second. The second format differs from the first in that the background of the left hand side of the front cover is in white rather than in a color. This format was printed for several years starting in 1906. These books all came jacketed.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's Works

Q:  I have Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter published Philadelphia Henry Altemus 1892. It is a small, hardcover book, appears to be red leather with a cameo of a woman on the front. Very good conditon. Can you give me an idea of value.

A:  This is a relatively common book despite its age. This book came in several different colors and originally had a dust jacket. It only has nominal value.