Q: Do you have any idea if this is part of the first edition collection? The Light of Asia

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1898.

All of the books in this publisher’s series are reprints.

During 1898 the covers of the books in this series had a stereotyped pattern on the left half of the front cover and one of many
decorative patterns on the right half. These books came within a labeled box.

Below are some of the other covers that have been seen.

Q: Hello, Trying to identify this book published by Henry Altemus company. In the pink border is the date of HA 1842 but I know this is probably the date of the company inception. On the website I could not find this cover color or any other information except in the prose book section on this piece. Any information that you could shed on this piece would be appreciated. The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897.

The 1842 date noted on the title page does represent the year of Altemus and Co.’s establishment.

Q: What can you tell me about this book? Blue Beard
Here is what it looks like.

A: Your book belongs to the ten book Banbury Cross Series.

This series was first published in 1904 and 1905 and reprinted for a number of years thereafter. It consists of various fairy tales.

All of the books have the same decoration on the left half of the cover and a book appropriate illustration on the right half.

Each volume came with a dust jacket. See below for examples of the early and later jacket.

Early dust jacket	Later dust jacket

Q: Hi, I have a 1896 copyrighted book by Emerson called “Love and Friendship” that was my fathers. It says it is published by the Henry Altemus Company. I can’t seem to find an example of this book with the same cover as mine anywhere. Can you help me? Is the copyright correct?

Here is the cover:

A: Your book belongs to the Love and Friendship Series.

This series had five different formats. This volume belongs to the first one published between 1901 and 1902.

Format 1 has the stereotyped design on the left half of the cover. The right half of the cover has either one of sixteen flower pictures or a picture of multiple little flowers (as is seen in your book).

These books came with a dust jacket (shown below).

The copyright of your book is correct but the publication date in this instance is years later.

Q: I have this book…Silas Marner…there is no copyright page or no indication who author is exceptionally on the binding….wondering if there is any value to it.

A: This book is a reprint and part of the publisher’s series: Vademecum Series

This cover was published in 1899. During this year, these books were printed with various color covers.

Q: My cover does not match any I saw on your site. Appreciate any info. The Light of Asia

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1897. All of the books in this series are reprints and originally came within labeled boxes.

See: Vademecum Series

During 1897 the covers of this series came in multiple covers. Some example are shown below.

Today I am adding an interesting Photographic Album to the database.

The album pictured here is 7.5″ x 9.5″. This album was published in 1863 or later (the 1863 patent date is noted at the base of the spine) but the cover design is different from most of the post-1863 albums. Rather the cover appears more like the pre-1863 covers.

This album has pages for cabinet cards as well as tin-type size photos. There are thirteen leaves.

Different from most other Altemus albums is that the imprint of Altemus & Co. lists Philadelphia and New York, not just Philadelphia. The title page also does not indicate the patent date. This may mean that this album is an early publication that is post 1863 but before all the title pages were changed to reflect the patent date.

For more about Photographic Albums see http://www.henryaltemus.com/albums/photoalbums.htm.

Virtually all Altemus books came with either a dust jacket or within a box. The Waistcoat Pocket Series is a ten book series of miniature books.

Here is an example of a book and box from this series. These books were published between 1906 and 1921.

For more information see: Waistcoat Pocket Series

This 25 book series of reprints is interesting because not only are the books boxed but each volume has a piece of holly attached to the front cover.

This series is quite uncommon and it is not listed in any Altemus catalogues or advertisements.

For more information see: Christmas Gift Series

Q: I recently purchased a copy of ‘With Fire and Sword’ that looks like the ‘5th edition’ picture you have at the henryaltemus.com website but does differ.

Here are the differences between my copy and the website copy:
1) Title page: the website version title is in all caps, mine: caps and lower case
2) Title page: website – “HENRY ALTEMUS”, mine: “HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY”
3) Opposite Title page: mine doesn’t have the pic
4) Spine: my version has the letters ‘Si lwi’ by the sword handle – could this be library markings?

2 questions:
1) Would you know the published year of the version I have?
2) Do you know why both ‘5th edition’ books are different?

A: Your book is a later version than the one on the website. Altemus incorporated in 1900. Thus any book that has the imprint Henry Altemus Company was published in 1900 or later. The later version may not have originally had the frontispiece picture. I suppose someone could have also removed it.

The lettering on the spine was a later addition. By whom or for what purpose is anyone’s guess.

Both books were from the Polish fifth edition. They are essentially the same except that your book was published a couple years later.

I suspect your book was published in the 1900 to 1902 era. The exact date is impossible to know.

The earlier book is shown below.