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:  Hi, I was looking for information on this book. The copyright reads 1899 on the side of the inside cover picture, but beyond the title- Black Beauty, the author and publisher of Henry Altemus, there is no information. Could you fill in the gaps about this book and it's worth?

A:  Your book is from the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899.

See ../series/series143.htm

The books of this series originally came in a labeled box. It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Here are a couple of pictures of the book I have. Thank you in advance for your help.

A:  Your book is from the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899.

See ../series/series143.htm

The 1899 books have a stereotyped pattern on the left side of the cover. On the right half of the cover are various decorative patterns or floral designs.

The books of this series originally came in a labeled box. It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I am inquiring about the value of this book, "The House of Seven Gables", Altemus, Philadelphia. The illustration is dated 1899. Please advise.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. During this year the books all had the same pattern on the left side of the cover. The right half of the cover had numerous floral designs or decorative patterns.

See ../series/series143.htm

Because it is a reprint of a widely available title, it is worth only a few dollars.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have in my possession the book pictured below by Washington Irving, called "Knickerbocker's History of New York Complete". There is no date on the copyright page. Any information on this book will be appreciated. I am helping a friend to sell it.

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

The covers of this series changed every year or two. In 1903-1904 the Petit Trianon Series had the pedestal on the left side of the cover. This pedestal is either in blue, pink, beige or soft leather. On the right half of the cloth covers is one of 16 flowers. The beige colored covers are the most common.

See ../series/series143.htm

The books of this series are all reprints and consequently have very little value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I've attached a picture of the front cover and the title page of Black Rock - A Tale of the Selkirks by Ralph Connor. Published by Henry Altemus Co. of Philadelphia. The intro was by Prof. George Adam Smith L.L.D. Page following intro says Black Rock and offers a short description of the story with the initials of C.W.G. at the end.

There doesn't seem to be a copyright mark to distinguish the publication. Is this a first publication? 1898? As you can see, the front cover is not in pristine condition. Value?

Thanks for any info you may provide.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1905-1906. See: ../series/series143.htm

The book of this series are all reprints (no first editions) and originally came in a labeled box. Generally unless the title is a special one, the books do not sell for more than a few dollars (at best).

Your book is also in rather tough shape so I suspect it will be a hard sell.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of A Wonder Book Hawthorn small with no publishing or copyright dates. Can you tell me how old it is and if there is any value to it other then its cool!

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. During this year all the Petit Trianon Books had the same pedestal design on the left of the front cover (white, pink and blue have all been seen). On the right half of the cover one of 16 flower pictures were possible. For all the possibilities see ../series/series143.htm

This book only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of Black Beauty published by Henry Altemus Company. Unfortunately, someone ripped out the copyright page so I have no idea about the history of it. Attached is a picture of the front of the book. Thanks for your time.

A:  This book was published in 1901-1902. It is part of the Petit Trianon Series.

For more information see ../series/series143.htm

It is an interesting book because of its cover. The artwork was done by Alphonse Mucha who was a famous Czech painter. This painting is called Lady with a Rose. You may wonder where the rose is. Well, when the Altemus artists modified the picture, they replaced the rose with a book. Artistic license I suppose.

For more about Mucha and Altemus see ../artists/artists-Mucha.htm

Unfortunately in this shape it only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I cant seem to find information on the book "Rab and his Friends" with a Mucha painting likeness on the cover. I found it at a consignment shop for $5 but the cover's worn - inside pages are very clean.

Anyway, your site is only site I found with related info.... would someone know if they worth anything or should I just shelf it? a pic is attached.

A:  Nice book but unfortunately it has no real value. (less than $20)

It is part of the Petit Trianon Series (../series/series143.htm) and was published in 1901-1902.

For what it's worth it is one of six Mucha covers that Altemus "borrowed".

See ../artists/artists-Mucha.htm

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi: I was wondering if you could give me any information on publishing date, etc of Volume l & volume ll of Longfellow's Poems. Here are pictures of the books.

A:  Your book was published in 1905-1906 as part of the Petit Trianon Series (../series/series143.htm).

It is a reprint as are all of the books from this series.

Without the original box this volume only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  The attached photos are of a book I have: Longfellow's Poems Vol. II. I've had this book for a long time, but don't know where I got it. It has three black & white pictures (art) on slick or photo type paper. Can you tell when it was published and if it has any value...no, I'm not trying to sell it, I keep books like this!

A:  When Altemus published this title, it reprinted the book in its entirety-including the earlier dated preface.

Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series (../series/series143.htm) and was published in 1901-1902.