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 have inherited a copy of the "Hyperion" by Longfellow published by Altemus. I'm interested in finding out its value if any. Please take a look at the pictures I've included and contact me if you can help. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It is a reprint of a not very collectible title and therefore will be hard to sell.

During 1900 the covers of this format have been seen in numerous colors. Some are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Good Afternoon,
Would you be able to tell me the approximate publishing date of these Altemus Publications of Milton’s Paradise Lost? Paradise Regained?

A:  These book are part of the Vademecum Series and were published between 1909-1912.

They are reprints as are all of the book of this longstanding publisher's series. The books were published with numerous different appliqués on the cover. Originally, these books came within a labeled box which is shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  i was looking to find some information on a book i have called "The Courtship of Miles Standish" was curious what year it was published. and what kind of value it holds. have sent photo of the book attached. ive had it for at least 30 years. I appreciate your time, and in hopes i will get your reply. no hurry.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1907. It originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

It is a reprint and has nominal value.

During this publication year this book format was published in a number of colors with more than 40 appliqué pictures. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of The Light Of Asia and the only date I can find is (c) 1899 under a picture of Sir Edwin Arnold. The book is very old, but I am unsure of how old or who to ask, please further advise.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1904.

This book originally came within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Wondering if this book has any value at all. I have not been able to find this particular cover. Thank you. Through the Looking Glass

A:  Your book was published as part of the Vademecum Series in 1903.

The cover picture is part of a larger European painting. If you look on the site, you will see that picture #33 is the same as your picture.

It is a reprint in only fair shape. So generally speaking it would have no real value. There are however a lot of Lewis Carroll collectors out there, one of whom may find your book special. You may want to list it on Ebay and try your luck.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of Kavanagh and was trying to place exactly what set this is part of and would welcome any details you can provide me with. Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1899 and was part of the Vademecum Series.

All of the books in this series are reprints. During 1899 the covers in this series had a number of different colors. Some are shown here.

It originally came within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Dear Sir:
I have a copy of Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass” I have studied your web site (and your warnings about false claims on e-bay) and not been able to locate a similar edition. If I decide to sell the book (which I assume to be not very valuable), I do not want to misrepresent it. I am attaching photos of the cover, cover interior, the frontispiece and front illustration, some illustrations and some of the advertising (209 numbered pages, together with Altemus published by Henry Altemus advertising of books in various series). If you can tell me when it was published and whether it was part of a series, I would be most appreciative.

A:  Your book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It originally came in a labeled box. In 1900 the covers in this series were stereotypical but have been seen in various colors. Some examples are shown here.

Most of the books from this series are not very valuable but there are Lewis Carroll collectors out there who may find your book very desirable.

I smiled when I saw your address. I graduated from Northwestern back in 1971. Of course, that was when Evanston was really a sleepy little town.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have found an old printing of “The House of the Seven Gables”. It does not indicate if it is a part of a series. It is small, pocket size. I have reviewed your page on the Altemus company trying to find the book. I can see it was printed many times. What puzzles me is the forward, by Henry Tuckerman, has Nathaniel Hawthorne -- 1807 -- There is no death date. This would lead me to believe it was published before his death (1864), but I see no such listing in your page. I also have "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table". Any thoughts?

A:  Both of these books rare part of the Vademecum Series and were published in 1903. They originally came within a labeled box. All of the titles in this publisher's series are reprints.

The appliqués on the front cover are parts of different European paintings. Altemus would cut up these paintings into usable slices and put different ones randomly onto different books. This process is shown at: http://www.henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm An example is seen with the picture on your "Autocrat" book. Note the more complete picture which encompasses your book's appliqué.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Is this book worth anything? The Queen of the Air

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1904. This title is a reprint as are all of the titles in this series. Originally this volume came with a labeled box. A representative box is shown here.

These 1904 books have been seen in numerous colors. There are four different flower pictures that were used for the paste-on strips on the front cover.

Unless the title is one that is collectable, the books generally only have nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  is this book (A Christmas Carol) worth anything? #34 looks nice, small

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1912-1913. It is a reprint.

A hardcore Dicken's fan might pay $10-20 but otherwise it would sell for just a few dollars.