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 own a book titled “Two Years Before The Mast” written by Richard H. Dana Jr. and published by Henry Altemus Philadelphia. It is a cloth book that measures about 4.25” x 6.5”. The cloth does have a sort of floral pattern on a blue background in the front and on a purple background on the back. On one of the first pages there is a colored sketch of a ship which looks like it’s signed by WH Luki (couldn’t make out the last name) and the date of 1899. This isn’t an original signature though. On the next page it just says Copyright 1895 by Henry Altemus.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. Originally this book came within a box. It is not a first edition. Generally your book is worth $5-10. Every now and then someone will pay more but it is usually because they are novice collectors.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I recently found this copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin and I was wondering if you could tell me something about it. It has a floral design on the cover and on the inside title page the copyright date is 1894, but there is a picture of Stowe on the inside that has a copyright date of 1899 and I was wondering when this book was really printed.
On the title page the publisher is named as "Henry Altemus". I would also like to know any other information about this book you may be able to give me. (I've attached some pics) Thank You

A:  Your book was part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. This series was one of reprints of fiction, poetry, essays etc. It ran from 1896-1910 and at its peak consisted of 117 volumes. During these years the cover designs changed every year or so . Thus identifying the year your book was printed is relatively easy. Originally your book came enclosed within a labeled box.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have an old book 'Oliver W. Holmes Poems', Philadelphia Henry Altemus Co. There is no copy write date on it, but the first poem is Cambridge Churchyard on pg 13. Could you tell me the date it was printed & what is it worth.
Thank you,
Joanne

A:  Your book was published as part of the Petit Trianon Series in 1901-1902. Because it is in rather rough shape without its original box, I think it only has nominal value. See the question and answer on June 15, 2006 about this series.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of Courtship of Miles Standish from Henry Altemus co. It has other poems also. I was just trying to get information about it because it has no publishing date or any other dates at all. If you have any info. I would appreciate it. I'll send a picture too.

A:  Your book is part of a multi-volume multi-authored set called the Petit-Trianon Series. It was published between 1896-1910 and at its peak had 117 books with numbers between 1-244. Generally every year or so Altemus would change the book cover and the titles which comprised the series. These books originally came boxed but of course the boxes are quite scarce.

Your book was published in late 1904-1905 and was numbered #42 in the series.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  Just picked this up in a second hand store. The Raven and Other Poems

Wondering what you think of it and its possible value??

A:  This book is part of the Poems We Love Series (Series #146). It was published between 1912-1915. It originally came within a labeled box.

Ordinarily there is very little interest in the books of this series since they are reprints. In addition you are lacking the box that it came in. But there is an active market for books by Poe so it is possible your book would have some value.

For more info see: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series146.htm

Poems We Love Series

Q:  I am looking for information on a soft leather bound of Courtship of Miles Standish printed by the Henry Altemus Co. in Philadelphia. There is no info besides the publisher.

Any information would be helpful.

A:  Your book is part of the "Poems We Love" Series.http://henryaltemus.com/series/series146.htm

It was published between 1912 and 1915.
Originally it came within a labeled box.
An example is shown here.

All of the books in this series are reprints.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  A Child's Garden of Verses. This would have been published between 1912-1915? Which Series # is it and what would it be worth?

A:  Your book is part of the Poems We Love Series. It was published between 1912 and 1915.

It was originally sold within a labeled box. See here.

It has nominal value.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  I'd like to find out how old it is, it was my grandmother's. The Raven and Other Poems

A:  Your book is part of the ten volume Poems We Love Series.

These limp velvet cover books are all reprints. They were published between 1912-1915. Originally these books came within a labeled box.

Poems We Love

Q:  I have a copy of "Lucile" that appears to be Velvet Calf with gold on top. It’s in fairly good condition I'd say (I’m not any expert) with just the bottom of the book cover being bent a little probably from being upright on a shelf. I lay it flat. It is clearly green but is faded on front.

Something I find quite interesting is there are multiple pages that appear to be uncut on the bottom edge. The front simply says "LUCILE" embossed in gold and a gold embossed harp in the lower right corner.

I believe this may have been part of a box set? Could you possibly give me some information on this book?

A:  Your book is part of the ten title Poem's We Love Series. All of the volumes were published between 1912 and 1915 and are reprints.

They originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  Please advise value. Note that condition excellent. Cover leather but no publish date. Idylls of the King

A:  Your book is from Poems We Love Series. This ten book series of reprinted titles was published between 1912-1915. The volumes originally came within a labeled box, an example of which is shown here. Your book has nominal value.