Henry Altemus Company

Bibles

As noted before, ads prior to 1889 only mention Bibles and photographic albums. This ad from March, 1889 is one of the last not to mention any Altemus books for reading.
The bible pictured here is different from some of the other ads.

Bibles

Since Altemus published no books for reading prior to 1889, this ad dated in 1887 mentions only the Altemus Bibles and photographic albums.

Bibles

From the early 1880s until the early 1890s most of the Altemus advertisements in trade journals concentrated on their Bibles and photographic albums. In this ad The Philadelphia Bible Warehouse which was run by one of Henry Altemus' sons got top billing.

One of the numerous Bibles published by Altemus is shown here. Also noted here are the books of the Dore Series (Series #58) first published in 1889 as well as the first book of the Idle Hours Series (Series # 107).

This Altemus ad is one of the first that mentions books beside Bibles/Photographic Albums. As can be seen it is dated September 1890.

Non Series #28- Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

This ad from December 1890 in Publisher's Weekly highlights Pilgrim's Progress. This ad shows the cover of the first Altemus edition of this title.

Also noted in the ad is the second volume of the Idle Hours Series (#107) -published in 1891 and the Dore Masterpieces (Series #79).

Non Series #9 - Annie Besant

Henry Altemus did not advertise extensively in trade journals. I intend at this time to begin posting some of their ads. This one is for a rather uncommonly found Altemus book. This title can be found in the non series section. The ad is from the main trade periodical of the era- Publishers' Weekly in 1895.

Children of the Bible Series

A wonderful 2 page pamphlet advertising the 10 books of the Children of the Bible Series has been discovered within a Series #137 book (One Syllable Series). This advertisement, as shown below, lists the titles and includes some pictures that are found in several of the books. It is unclear as to the exact date of this piece. The half vellum books were published for a number of years beginning in 1905. The catalogue lists 25 cents as the book price until the teens although the books themselves list 25 cents as well as 50 cents during this era.

I would guess 1905-1912 date.

Advertisements like this probably exist for most Altemus series of the early 1900s and teens. They are exceedingly scarce.

Boys and Girls Booklovers Series

A new advertising flyer has been discovered for series #56. It was found in a Young People's Library-Format 3 book which was published in 1905.
This two page pamphlet notes that books #17-21 were in preparation meaning that the earlier numbered books were published in a separate print run- probably early 1905- whereas the last few books were probably published together in late 1905.

Ephemera

Here is yet another check printed by Altemus & Co. at the turn of the century. This one is of interest because the company the check was issued for was in New Jersey as opposed to Pennsylvania.

Ephemera-1897

Here is a stock certificate printed by Altemus & Co. in 1897.

Ephemera-1890's

Here is another check published by Altemus & Company for a Philadelphia bank. This was printed at the turn of the century. Although the books had the Henry Altemus imprint, the paper items had the Altemus & Company imprint.