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:  Hello - We saw on a book collecting website, (reference attached), your kind offer to help someone identify the year of publication of, "Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam", published by Henry Altemus Company, and were hoping you could possibly help us with the date of publication the book we have. As requested, we are sending a scan of the front cover.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series (../series/series180.htm). This series of reprints included essays, classics, poetry, fiction, etc. Every year or so the cover design would change. This book was published in 1902. A number of different color covers have been seen. Also more than 40 pictures within the cover design have been found. For more see ../vademecum.htm.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I have a Henry Altemus Company published book of the song of Hiawatha by Longfellow. It doesn't have a publishing date on it. It is in green leather with a farmer in a wheat field on the cover and a drawing of Minnehaha on the inside.. I can't seem to find anything about my book. Do you know anything? Thank you for your help.

A:  Your book is a 1907 publication and is part of the Vademecum Series. During this year this series of reprints used more than 40 pictures as paste-ons. Frequently the cover picture was part of a larger painting.

One part of the painting might be on one book and another part of the painting might appear on another book. Click here to see the large painting that includes your book's picture.

See ../vademecum.htm for more information.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently purchased a copy of "An Englishwoman's Love Letters" at a local antique store, printed by the Henry Altemus Company. I looked to see if my cover matched any listed on your site but it doesn't appear so. I was wondering if it was perhaps an unlisted design. The gold print on the front (I'm sorry for a lack of proper terminology) appears to be mostly that of a grape vine with two flowers with multiple petals. There is also a gold frame around a picture of a field, and a few people working in it.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901. The cover format can be seen here: (Series 180)

During this year there were more than 40 different pictures used as paste-ons on the front cover. Your book's exact cover picture can be seen here Vademecum and is listed as picture #18.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I found this book (Knickerbocker's History of New York) while cleaning out my mother's home. Copyright date is 1899. What can you tell me about it? Sorry pictures aren't very good. I had to use my cell phone.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series (../series/series180.htm) and was published in 1899. This series consisted of reprints of fiction, poetry, essays, classics, etc. It originally came in a labeled box. It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I've purchased an old Edgar Allan Poe book called Weird Tales. It is small hardback, measuring 6 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches. It has a copyright date of 1895 by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia. The cover has a picture and it also has a floral pattern & the title pressed into the cover. I wanted to know more about the book, but haven't been able to find this particular book when doing searches on the internet. Can you tell me anything about this edition of the book?

A:  Your book was published as part of the Vademecum Series in 1901. See ../series/series180.htm.

The picture is from #5 and #18 seen here: ../vademecum.htm.

This book originally came in a labeled box and is a reprint.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of 'Representative Men' by Emerson, listed by you, as European Authors #172. It seems to me under category of covers from 'sliced' paintings of greenery and trees, but I do not see this particular picture. On the list I am referring to of publications of Henry Altemus Company 4-1/2 by 6-1-2 Altemus Illustrated Vademecum Series (also found in back of book) it is #173. Can you tell me the value, of if it is sought by any collectors. The condition of the book is the cover is in good shape, some wear marks on the binding corners, page one has come loose. The rest of the book is in good shape.

A:  Your book's picture can be found at ../vademecum.htm. It is in picture #5. Because your book is a reprint of a title not eagerly sought, it has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I was wondering if you recognize this book (Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin) and could perhaps tell me what year it was published. It does say Henry Altemus Company, but no location other than Philadelphia.

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series180.htm.

It is part of the Vademecum Publisher's Series.

It was published in 1905-1906. During this year this format had four different flower patterns and several different cover colors.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a very old copy of The Crucifixion of Philip Strong. Could you provide info from pictures I'm attaching? Do you have an idea what it is worth and potential buyer. The picture on the cover is a tree.

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series180.htm

It is a reprint. It was published between 1909 and 1912. Without the original box, it only has nominal value.

During this year the applique (paste-on) on the front cover has been seen with numerous pictures.

Vademecum Series

Q:  These are the pictures of the book, The Queen of the Air. Thanks for your reply. There is no date of listed anywhere of its publication.

A:  Your book is an 1899 publication. It is part of the Vademecum Series. This series consisted of numerous reprints of essays, fiction, poetry, etc.

The covers of the 1899 books have been seen in a number of different colors.

See: ../series/series180.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi. I have acquired this book (The Blithedale Romance) and cannot seem to locate one like it via internet research. I am not a vintage book enthusiast so I may be overlooking some comprehensive internet resources that those of you who are involved in this field use routinely.

Mainly....I am trying to find information about rarity and value.....that is to say, I am trying to determine if this is something I want to save for my children....or post online someplace for hundreds of dollars....or put it in a Garage Sale for a buck.

The cover is embossed...or relief...or...well, don't really know the terminology but the lines of the text and graphics on the cover are recessed like grooves.

Any information and/or advice you might have would be appreciated.

A:  You can find your book with the other 1899 books here: ../series/series180.htm. It is part of the Vademecum Series which is a publisher's series of reprints of classics, essays, fiction, poetry, etc.

Unfortunately it has only nominal value since it is not a title that is widely collected. That plus the fact that it is a reprint means it has no significant value.