Q: I found this small book and was trying to determine when it might have been printed. From what I have read on the web site it appears it may have been prior to 1916, although the information does not mention red lettering on the blue-grey cover. Is there any value to this book? The Robber Kitten

Thank you for any information you are able to give.

A: Your book is part of the Wee Books for Wee Folks’ Series-Format 2.

This book is pictured as Format 2b #6. It was published between 1912 and 1918. Note that between 1904 and 1912 this title was published with a green not beige cover.

It originally came with a dust jacket. It is pictured below. Without the jacket it has minimal value.

Pamphlet Advertising for Juvenile Series (1910-1911)

This 32 page advertising pamphlet advertises four different boys juvenile series: Motor Boat Club, Submarine Boys, Pony Rider Boys and High School Boys. There is an excerpt from each series and then a full page ad listing the books from the series. It is 6.5 x 4.5.

The pamphlet lists books published as late as 1910 but not any 1912 books.

This is the second Altemus advertising pamphlet that I have seen. Both only highlighted juvenile series.

Front Cover

Altemus message to “Young Booklovers”

Representative Pages

Q: Hello, I was cleaning out my bookshelf and found a copy of Altemus’ Favorite Series Alice In Wonderland and was wondering if it held any value. I think it’s a Format 1 #2 (via your ultra-informative website) and there is a light pencil inscription that reads “Glenn [S or G] Murphy, Christmas 1901” on the inside.

A: Nice book. You are right. It is from the Favorite Series. It is much less common than the Young People’s Library versions that sell reasonably well on Ebay.

If you are selling it, I think Ebay is a pretty good place and I would expect $25-50 but maybe more depending how you describe it. Dating it should be easy (1900-1901) if you look at the ads in the back and then the dating information on the web page: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series87.htm

In an informative blurb I would stress that it is from the Favorite Series and is fairly rare etc.

The books in this series did come with dust jackets but they are very hard to find.

I am adding an interesting variant book cover to this series page today. Boys and Girls Own Library

The basic format for this series is the same as Series #58 Boys and Girls Classics. The difference between the two series is that Series #59 was published later- 1909-1910 versus 1899-1906. The later series obviously has later advertisements in the back of the back. Series 59 lists Little Men and Women Series whereas Series 58 does not.

Both series have front cover book appropriate pictures.

This variant book has a picture from the Vademecum Series. This appears to be a mistake by the publisher.
See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm

This flyer advertises various Boys’ and Girls’ Series books. Interestingly the latest book is the shown is the Pony Riders Boys with the Texas Rangers which is a 1920 book. Other series do not show books that were published in the late teens. For instance, the College Girls Series (#9) lists 4 books the latest of which was published in 1914 but does not list the 1915 book.

Usually Altemus advertising would show all the series up to a certain date and there would not be this disparity in the books listed and not listed. Nonetheless this flyer must date from 1920 based on the book listed.

The flyer has 4 panels per side and is 13 x 6.25.

Q: Hello,
Thank you very much for being out there with needed information. I actually read this book last night with pleasure, first time since the late 40’s probably, at that time with less pleasure, and this morning it occurred to me that it might be valuable. No marks on it of any kind. Robinson Crusoe
Is it worth anything?

A: This book is a reprint as are all of the titles in the Young People’s Library. Unless it is a very collectible book (e. g. Alice in Wonderland) or has a nice dust jacket, the volumes in this series have little monetary value. For more information see: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series202F3.htm

Examples of this title’s dust jackets are shown below.

This one page flyer was found in a Young People’s Library book published in 1906. It is 6 x 3.25. As noted before, I believe that virtually every Altemus book or series had an associated advertising flyer, pamphlet etc. Finding them is another matter.

Here is one for The Tin Diskers.

New Advertising Flyer discovered
This 6 x 3.25 inch one page advertising flyer for the Rose Carnation Series was discovered in the Little Lady Val book (#4). This flyer dates from 1906-1908. It is my belief that Altemus produced flyers for all of their series of this era. They are just very difficult to find.

Q: This is a Henry Altemus Company’s Publications, Mother Goose Rhymes, Jingles and Fairy Tales, some of first pages are missing, can you provide any info on this book. It was given to my grandmother in 1912. Thanks.

A: Your book is part of the Boys and Girls Classics Series.

The 15 titles in this series are all reprints and were published between 1908 and 1926.

Originally they were sold within a floral decorated box.

Dating your book can be done by looking at the ads in the back of the book and dating the latest editions listed.

Unless a book in this series is in great shape or a special title, it has little value.

Q: I am trying to find out the possible value range of an antique book that once belonged to my grandmother, entitled Poe’s Poems. I believe it is a first edition, and strangely, it has no publication date printed within it anywhere. It does appear at the back of the book under the list of “Publications of Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia” as number “…159 Poe’s Poems” under the heading “Altemus’ New Illustrated Vademecum Series.” I am attaching multiple photos of the book…sorry that my phone’s camera is not very good.

I would appreciate any info. you can provide.

A: Your book was published in 1901-1902 and is part of the Petit Trianon Series.

As with all of the titles in this series, it is a reprint. Originally it was sold within a labeled box.

The cover is interesting because of the illustration on the right which was drawn by Alphonse Mucha, a well known Czech artist. It is called “Poetry”.

Several Altemus formats feature Mucha drawings.

Ordinarily it might be worth a few dollars, but in this shape it has no monetary value.