Question & Answer Series 185 Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q: Hello, I have just come across a wonderful version of 1st American Edition Peter Rabbit Wee Books series. Green(ish) cover. I feel that the book is not complete as it says on the title page that there are thirty-one illustrations—I only counted 20+. The pages are also separated from the spine some by signatures (some not and individual pages)…rightfully so, it is over 113 years old. I’m wondering what the value is on such a rare find in this condition would be.

My question too is, how can I compare my books illustration and pagination to get the book in order (outside of knowing the story line). It seems as though the blank pages are counted in the folio.

A: Although you have not sent a picture, here are the Altemus Peter Rabbit’s.

1904 First American
Edition
 Second edition-
First format
 Second edition-
Second format
 Second edition-
Third format

Your copy is not the true first edition.

See here for information about the first and second editions: http://henryaltemus.com/peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

In this shape the book has little or no value. These copies are not that rare.

The only way to order the pages is to compare them to a complete book. If you want to scan the pictures, I can put them in the correct order.

Question & Answer Series 75 Devotional Series

Q: Good Afternoon, I am curious about this little book I have enjoyed reading. Addresses by Phillips Brooks.
I could not find a cover like this one on the Internet.
It feels lovely in the hand-sturdy, and heavy for its size.

A: Your book was published in 1895 and is part of the Devotional Series.

It originally came in a labeled box.
It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Question & Answer Saalfield reprint

Q: I also was wondering how can you tell it’s a reprint, it just seems so old, would you know when it was reprinted, I can’t find a year or date on the book anywhere. The Pony Rider Boys in New England. I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a dust jacket, I’ll have to check, and if I do find the dust jacket how much is it valued. Thanks so much for your help. I’m clueless to how this works, just trying to learn. Thanks.

A: Your book was published by Saalfield. That company did reprints of the earlier Altemus published editions. All the Saalfield reprints had dust jackets. This reprint was published in 1935 or later.

For more about the Saalfield reprints see http://henryaltemus.com/reprints/saalfield.html

Two Saalfield jackets have been seen for this series.

Earlier
 Later

Series 186 Wee Books for Wee Folks

Altemus published ten Wee Folks’ Library Sets. Each set consisted of four Wee Books’ titles in a colorfully illustrated box for $2.25 each. The first six sets were published in 1921. The next four in about 1923.

There were sets that did not conform to the catalogue listings. Because these boxed sets are so rare, a comprehensive listing of the variants is impossible. Here is a recently discovered example. The books in the set below have the 1928-1929 variant cover.
Four books are within the box:
1. Old Red Reynard, the Fox
2. Grunty Grunts and Smiley Smile Indoors
3. Hootie Toots Hollow Tree
4. The Robber Kitten

Of interest is that Hootie Toots was published in 1925 -after the ten boxed sets were produced. Thus there must have been other boxed sets not described.

For more information see: http://www.henryaltemus.com/wee_books/index.htm

Question & Answer Series 175 Three Volume Sets Series

Q: Hi. I saw your blog and thought you might be able to help. I have a book by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is “Essays, First Series.” It was published by Henry Altemus, and the stated date is 1894. I can’t find this particular printing anywhere. Can you tell me anything about it? Thanks so much!

A: Your book is from the “Three Volume Sets” Series. It was published in 1894.

It originally came in a labeled box with two other titles. See below.

For more info about this series see: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series175.htm

In this shape it has no monetary value.