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.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a old book that says published in 1898... Titled "What is Art" do you know anything of this one?
Strange thing is ... There's a pic of a little girl in the back, that appears to be a sketch .. But she has period clothing on and hair was on shoulders and curly.. Big bow in it.. Holding an umbrella?

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. During this year the volumes in this series all had the same decoration on the left part of the front cover. On the right half there were numerous decorative patterns seen. All the books within this series are reprints. They were originally sold within a labeled box. (See here)

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello! My wife’s grandmother gave her this book years ago, and we are wanting to identify the date. A Christmas Carol. Can you help us figure out which year this Altemus book was published? It just says Altemus on the side and doesn’t have identifying information on the first page like most books.

A:  Your book was published in 1908-1909 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. As with all of the books in this series, it is a reprint.

It originally came within a labeled box. See here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Need to know if it is authentic

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. All the books in this series are reprints.

In 1899 the books of this series had a stereotyped left section of the cover but the right side had numerous different decorative designs. Twenty-eight different designs have been seen at this time.

These books originally came within a labeled box.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I was wondering if it would be possible to determine when this edition of Marmion was published.

A:  Your book was published in 1908-1909. It is part of the Petit Trianon Series.

Originally it came within a labeled box. See here for an example.

It is a reprint with nominal value.

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I acquired this book, The House of the Seven Gables, recently and am wondering about the year it was published. I would be grateful if you could give me this information!

A:  Your book was published in 1908-1909. It originally came within a labeled box. See here. It is part of the Petit Trianon Series and is a reprint.

It only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you give me any information on this book. Paul and Virginia. The front cover has some damage, but the back, spine and interior in good shape. How do you find the year printed? I could find no publishing details?

A:  This book is from the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1907. It is a reprint.

The 1907 cover was published with any one of four different appliqué flowers.

Originally it came within a labeled box. See here.

Because of the poor shape, it has no monetary value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Recently found this lovely book and am having a hard time finding info on this particular book, A Christmas Carol.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904.

It originally came within a labeled box (see here). It is a reprint.

This format had a number of different covers. The left side with the pedestal has been seen in beige (your book), pink and blue. The latter two colors are relatively uncommon. The right half of the book has been seen with 16 different flowers. Thus, for any one title there are 48 variant covers.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I recently purchased a book named The Water-Babies by Charles Kingsley that was published by Henry Altemus Company. I would really appreciate your help in identifying the date in which this book was published. Enclosed is a picture of the cover of the book.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. During this year the titles which are all reprints had the pedestal on the left half of the front cover (beige, pink or blue) and one of 16 flowers on the left. It was originally sold within a labeled box. See here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello. I have an undated copy of Representative Men by Emerson, published by "Henry Altemus Company", Philadelphia. From cover images on your web page, the cover design resembles 1901 Petit Trianon #14. The Vademecum Series list in the back includes 1--244, in alphabetical order. Is 1901 the likely year of publication?

A:  You are correct. This is the the 1901-1902 cover for a book in the Petit Trianon Series. It is a reprint. It originally was sold within a labeled box.

The right half of the front cover had one of 16 flowers or one of two Alphonse Mucha pictures. The left side had a lady hiding up the title. It was seen in beige, blue or pink. The blue cover is the most uncommon. Examples are shown here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  While cleaning out my 100 year old great grandmother's basement, I located a Romeo & Juliet book that belonged to her mother. It appears to be a fairly early addition, but I am hoping you can offer further insight, including year published, & what you believe the value to be. Thank you for your time.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899-1900. All the volumes in this series are reprints. This book originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

This basic format has a stereotyped pattern on the left side of the cover and one of numerous decorations, floral and otherwise on the right half. Some examples are shown here.