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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently stumbled upon this book (Ballads and Other Verses). I absolutely love it and was trying to find out more about it. I have looked at the Library of Congress and on the internet but nobody shows a book like this one. Can you tell me more about when it came out, worth today, etc...? I would greatly appreciate any information. All I know is that it shows having been published in 1807 by Henry Altemus.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series (../series/series179.htm) and was published in 1898.

This series consists of reprints of classics, fiction, poetry, essays, etc. Originally these books came in labeled boxes.

Generally because these books are reprints, they only have nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Greetings, was wondering if you could give me any details on A Wonder Book by Hawthorne from 1895, and how much I should sell it for? Thanks!

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series179.htm.

It is part of the Vademecum Series of reprints. In 1895 the books of this series were seen in a number of different colors.

You should take whatever you can get since it is a book of very limited interest to collectors.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I have recently acquired a book by Edgar Alan Poe / Weird Tales that has little to know information on which addition copy from which it was produced the copyright is 1895 and there is no further information... I have not seen any hard covered print design from Altemus like this one.. Attached are two photos of the cover of the book.. If you could give me some insight into which addition this may be and what this copy may or may not be worth on the market I would surely appreciate your professional opinion..

A:  Your 1895 book was published as part of the Vademecum Series. (../series/series179.htm). As you can see this cover format came in numerous colors.

Although this is a very common Altemus title of Poe reprints, for some reason it frequently sells for more than you would think. I have seen it sell for between $10-75. I cannot explain the wide range-perhaps different sellers see it at different times.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am from the Netherlands so please forgif me for mij writing.

I have a copy of the book: Gold Dust. Can you tell me please if this is a rare book? On the picture i include the collor is bleu but in real it is grey.

Thanks for your time,

A:  Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Vademecum Series. This series of more than 100 books consisted of the reprints of various essays, poetry, fiction and classics. See: ../series/series179.htm. All the books were originally published with labeled boxes.

This title only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Today, your expert book assessments and email address were discovered on the "allexperts.com" website. On that website your comments addressing inquiries pertaining to old copies of the "House of Seven Gables" book are exhibited. In at least one response, you mentioned that your assessment could be more accurate if the inquirer sent you a picture of their copy of the "House of Seven Gables" book.

Here (attached) are some pictures of our copy of an old "House of Seven Gables" book. Would you mind telling us the year that Henry Altemus published this particular copy and what the typical market value of this book is? Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

A:  This book was published in 1897. It is part of the Vademecum Series.( ../series/series179.htm)

This series is made up of reprints of fiction, classics, poetry essays, etc. Except for a few of the titles which are collectable, the books of this series have no significant value.

Generally speaking because this book is a reprint of a not very collectible title, it will not sell for more than a few dollars.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi I have a book written by sir walter Lubbock printed in Philadelphia by henry altemus preface is dated January 1887 by kent down it has clovers all over the front cover I’ve sent 2 pictures

Can you help me with a value and year published?

A:  Your book was published in 1897. See: ../series/series179.htm

It is a reprint as were all of the books of this publisher's series of essays, poetry, classic fiction, etc.

It originally came in a labeled box.

It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I noticed you had someone else ask you a question about a Treasure Island book. I am hoping if I send you a picture of mine you could give me a little info on it. I cannot seem to find it. I have attached a picture of it.

A:  Your book can be see here (../series/series179.htm) with the 1896 books.

It is part of the Vademecum series which is made up of various reprints of classics, poetry, essays, etc.

The 1896 books can be found with a number of different cover colors.

It has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this book (Lalla Rookh). I have looked and looked. i eventually found your site but still have not been able to locate this. as far as i can tell it was published in 1895....mind you that this is the only date listed in the entire book. any info you could tell me would be much appreciated.

A:  You can find your book here Vademecum Series with the 1895 published books. It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Attached is this cover of my book. Emerson's Essays. Is this a reprint? I'm still looking on your web site but thought this may be faster.

A:  Your book was published in 1896. It can be seen here: Vademecum Series

Vademecum Series

Q:  Would like to find more information regarding The House of the Seven Gables book that I own. Any help is appreciated. Thank you! Michelle

A:  Your book is from the Vademecum Series ( ../series/series179.htm ) and was published in 1898.

This series was very popular and consisted of various reprints of fiction, classics essays, poetry, etc. It originally was published with a labeled box. Because it is a common title, it has only nominal value.