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.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  Hello, I have found three books that my great great grandfather must have dated 1898 and I am wondering if they have any value. I have attached the cover same for all three.
1. "Sator Restartus" by Thomas Carlyle
2. "Mulvaney Stories" by Rudyard Kipling
3. Poems by Oliver Wendell Holmes
thanks for any info you have!

A:  Your books are part of the Sanspareil Series. They were published in 1898 and originally had dust jackets. See series page for an example.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

Since none of your books have very desirable/collectible titles, they only have nominal value.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  Can you give info on Evangeline by Longfellow published in 1843? Vademecum series

A:  This book was published in 1898 as part of the Sanspareil Series not the Vademecum Series.

It originally came with a dust jacket.

This edition of course is a reprint and in poor condition has no value.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book Essays-Lord Francis Bacon? There are no inscriptions on the front cover. Inside just Philadelphia Henry Altemus. No apparent date.

A:  Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Sanspareil Series. This publisher's series of reprints included 104 volumes. Each book originally was sold with a dust jacket. An example is shown on the series page.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I have two books that I would like to know what they are worth and what they are. I have sent pictures of both their covers and first page. The Pathway of Promise has a copyright of 1896 and says it is by the same author of The Throne of Grace. The Imitation of Christ says it is by Thomas A’Kempis, but does not list a copyright. I would really appreciate whatever you could tell me. Thank You

A:  The Altemus book is part of the Sanspareil Series and was published in 1898. It originally came with a dust jacket. This is a typical publisher's series. All of the its titles are reprints. ../series/series162.htm

I am including here a picture of a representative dust jacket. This book only has nominal value.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I recently came across 2 books at a sale and was intrigued by their covers. Both were published by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia. They are in very good condition, but I can't find a date. The information on the website informed me they were published before 1900. Would you be able to supply me with more information? The one on the left is "Essays" by Lord Francis Bacon and the one on the right is Sesame and Lilies by John Ruskin.
Thank you.

A:  I have included both pages where you can find both of your books.

This site is for the Sanspareil series. Your book (on the right) is an 1898 book. ../series/series162.htm

This site is for the Vademecum Series. Your book (on the left) is an 1897 book. ../series/series179.htm

Both books are part of an Altemus publisher's series. They are reprints and only have nominal value.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I have an Henry Altemus book titled "Essays", by Ralph Waldo Emerson Second series. There is a Roman numeral II on the top of the spine. The front cover is green and has an oval in the center with Red Poppies inside of it. I've attached photos. I thought that I had seen it on your HenryAltemus.com website but now can't locate it. Can you please tell me what series and year it is?

A:  Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Sanspareil Series. This publisher's series included only reprints of poetry, essays, classics, fiction, etc.

See ../series/series162.htm for more information.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I found this in my company’s leave-one-take-one book pile. It’s one of yours. John Ruskin’s Queen of the Air. I have no use for it but if you do lemme know. I like your site.

A:  Your book was published in 1898.

See Sanspareil Series

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I just found this book in a box of old books of my Grandmother. Title is "House of Seven Gables" published by Henry Altemus Manufacture, Philadelphia. There is no publishing date. What can you tell me about it?? Is it worth taking to a book dealer or trying to sell it on e-bay?

A:  This book is part of the Sanspareil Series. The books of this publisher's series of reprints originally had dust jackets.

Your book can be found here: Series 162

It was published in 1898.

It has only nominal value.

Sanspareil Series (earlier numbering)

Q:  We have a book, The Autocrat of The Breakfast Table, by Oliver Wendell Holmes, copyright 1897, any help or information would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Sanspareil Series. It is a reprint. For more information, see: Series 162

Sanspareil Series

Q:  Hello found this in my uncle's things is this rare? What year is it from? Lowell's Poems

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Sanspareil Series. It is a reprint. It is not a very collectible book and only has nominal value.

See: Henry Altemus Company - Sanspareil Series 163 (later numbering-1899)