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.

One Syllable Series

Q:  I have had no luck of locating much info of this book. (Swiss Family Robinson) Any information I'd appreciate.

A:  Your book is part of the One Syllable Series (Format 2) and was published between 1904-1908. It originally had a dust jacket.

This title is a reprint and has nominal value.

See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series137.htm

One Syllable Series

Q:  I was wondering if you would know how much these books were worth (general ball park). The Swiss family Robinson was copyright in 1900 by Henry Altemus.
The Gulliver's Travels copyright in 1899 by Henry Altemus.
If you could help I would appreciate it. Thank you.

A:  Both of these books are part of the One Syllable Series. This 12 book series had four formats and this is format #2. The format 3 books were published between 1900 and 1908. They originally came with a dust jacket. (see here) In mediocre condition without a dust jacket they only have nominal value.

One-Syllable Series

Q:  Can you help me with this book? I could not find it on your site. A Child's Story of the New Testament

It says 'copyright 1909' by Howard E. Altemus just prior to the contents page. After reading recent posts I'm thinking it has no value but would like to hear it from an expert.

A:  Your book is part of the One-Syllable series and is pictured here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series137.htm

The One-Syllable Series contains 12 books and was first published in 1899. There are four formats in this series and your book is part of Format 4.

These latter books were published in the teens.

The book pictured does not have a very collectible title and without a dust jacket (shown here) only has nominal value.

One Syllable Series

Q:  Hello, I have a copy of Gulliver's Travels. 1899 format 2 in good/fair condition. What might it's value be?

A:  This book is from the One Syllable Series. It is part of the later Format 2 (of 4) books and printed between 1905-6 and 1909.

It is a reprint and originally came with a dust jacket.

In this poor shape it has nominal value only.

The formats of this titles are shown here.

One Syllable Series

Q:  Good Morning. I am looking for an appraisal on this book dated 1899, A Child's Story of the Bible. I am also interested in an effective way to sell it. It has been in my family since great grandparents and I am downsizing, but want to treat it with respect, not toss it in a book bin. Thank you.

A:  This book is part of the 12 volume One Syllable Series. There are four formats in this series and this book is part of Format 1. Format 1 books were published between 1900 and 1902.

This volume, #3 in the series, was dropped from the series after Format #1 and thus is the scarcest title within this series. Regardless because it is not very collectable, without a dust jacket it has only nominal value.

One Syllable Series

Q:  I tried to use the website link but no luck so here goes. Looking for some info on the attached book. Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe. There is no date that I could find and wondered if you have any idea as to when this book was published. One photo and one PDF file are attached. For some reason my printer/scanner would not scan both. Would appreciate your input.

A:  This book is part of the One Syllable Series. This series was published in four different formats. Each originally had dust jackets. Your book is part of the second format published in the early 1900's. This particular book used an 1899 title page.

Peep of the Day Series

Q:  Greetings! I looked through your website and couldn’t find a date for this book, "The Peep of Day". I checked for dates and addresses and checked the ads in the back, but I couldn’t find anything. I’m attaching a copy of the book cover as recommended. Thank you for your time!

A:  Your book is part of the Peep of the day Series http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series140.htm

This book is a reprint and was published between 1918 and 1928 without any changes.

It originally had a dust jacket. See here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Would appreciate information on my copy of The Queen of the Air by Henry Ruskin. It has an attractive cover and is in quite good condition considering its age.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895-1896.
It is a reprint.
Henry Altemus Company - Petit Trianon (First numbering) 141

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi I'm curious about this book I was given as a gift. If there’s any more information you need I’d be happy to provide it. It came out of an old luggage trunk filled with old books from a relative that passed away quite a while ago. I'm guessing from 1890-1900?

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1897.

It originally came within a labeled box. During this year, the right half of the covers had numerous designs whereas the left half remained constant.

As with all the books in this publisher’s series, the titles are reprints.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Attached is a photo of a book of Poems by your company by Edgar Allan Poe. Dated 1895 with hand written inscription on Christmas of 1986 "love from Nell". Your website said to send a photo of cover of book.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This publisher's series of reprints was printed between 1895-1910. Every year or two the cover of the titles within the series was changed. This cover was published in 1896. Several cover color variations have been seen.