Q: Hello, I am cleaning out some books and this is one I searched online for and found your site! Can you tell me anything about this book? Copyright is 1899. The Yellowplush Papers

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901. As with all of the titles in this series, it is a reprint. It originally came within a labeled box.

In 1901 there were more than 40 different appliqués seen with this cover.

It is not a very widely collectible title and has little, if any, monetary value.

This ad appeared in 1902 in the Publishers’ Weekly. I have not seen two different editions of this book. Although the advertisement notes the second edition now ready, I suspect that there is no distinguishing feature between the different editions of this book.
It obviously was a big seller for Altemus since it went through at least two editions within the first year of publication.

For more information, see Non Series #118- Rataplan, A Rogue Elephant.

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).

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.

For more information, see Non Series #9.

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.

Q: Hello,
I went through your website, but I wasn’t able to tell what year my book might be from. Kept for the Master’s Use. It’s not terribly important, but I would like to know if you are able and have the time.

Here are pictures. There is no other publisher information anywhere in it.

A: This book is part of the Classics Series.

The books in this series were published in five different formats. This is the earliest format.

These covers were published in the 1907-1913 era.

This format was published with a dust jacket. Shown below.

Q: I have in my possession a copy of Character, wondering what to do with it? Not sure how to grade condition, either. Any advice?

A: Your book was published in 1896 and is part of the Belles-Lettres Series.

The titles in this series of leatherette books are not very collectible and have little value.

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.

This accordion advertising flyer has eight panels per side making it the largest of its type that I have seen. It is from 1912. It noted a number of 1912 books but no 1913 publications.

The first two titles in the Range and Grange as well as the Boys of Steel series are listed. They are all 1912 volumes. The third and fourth books in these series are not mentioned. The first two books in the Young Engineers Series are advertised but the 1913 third title in the series is not.

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Q: Please any info would be great. I got book (Lucile) from my grandmother and i know nothing about it but your site was helpful thank you. i know you prolly don’t appraise books but if you could just please give me a ball park idea i would hate to give something away for nothing. Thank you for your time.

A: Hello,
Your book was published in 1901-1902 and is part of the Petit Trianon Series. It is a reprint.

In this format the left half of the book front cover has a stereotyped pattern whereas the right half either has one of sixteen flower patterns or one of two illustrations done by Alphonse Mucha. Your book has a Mucha illustration.

You can read a bit about this variant here: http://www.henryaltemus.com/about/updates112605.htm from a November 26, 2005 post.

Although your book is in nice shape, it has minimal value. Certainly less than $20.

The other Mucha cover is shown below.