Q: Good Afternoon,
Would you be able to tell me the approximate publishing date of these Altemus Publications of Milton’s Paradise Lost? Paradise Regained?

A: These book are part of the Vademecum Series and were published between 1909-1912.

They are reprints as are all of the book of this longstanding publisher’s series. The books were published with numerous different appliqués on the cover. Originally, these books came within a labeled box which is shown below.

Here is a one sided advertising piece for Natural Law in the Spiritual World. This little flyer is 6″ x 3.5″.

There is no evidence that this title was published as a non series book.

Based on the address and general look of the flyer, it was published in the 1890-1894 era.

In this time frame Natural Law in the Spiritual World appeared in three series:

Altemus Library
Fairmount Series
Laurel Series

The books in these series did not cost 50 cents and were not “maroon and white” as per the flyer.

Thus, a mystery.

This one page, one sided flyer advertises two different The Scarlet Letter formats which were published in 1892. Thus, I believe this flyer was printed in 1892 also.

The book pictured on the flyer has an identical format to an 1891 Addresses by Drummond book. It is unclear whether these books belong in a series.

This little flyer is 6″ x 3.5″.

For more information, see Non Series #124

This 249 page book written by Rev. J. G. Wood was first published in this series in 1897. The Altemus book appears to be a compilation from previous Wood’s titles. When referring to editions here, only the Altemus printings are noted. The Altemus books are not the first editions of this work.

There are two Format 1 editions noted.

The Henry Altemus first edition books:
1. Covers with the green coloring within the circle
2. A pictorial illustrated colored frontispiece
3. No ads in the back of the book.
4. Front ads list to Black Beauty

A later first edition printing has ads in the back that list to Black Beauty.

The latest first edition edition books:
1. No green within the cover circle
2. A line drawn black and white picture frontispiece
3. Back ads list to Grandfather’ Chair
4. Front ads list to Flower Tales

Here is the Altemus Edition of this title which was published for the Pilgrim Publishing Company. This book appears to be a salesman’s sample since the red cover is pasted onto a blank cloth cover and it only contains some of the 266 pages of the original book.

The advertisement in the back notes the regular price and the price to subscribers. Unfortunately no other evidence regarding this as a salesman’s sample is present.

Based on the copyright page, this volume is an early Format 2 edition and was published in the early 1890’s.
( See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/images/NS_28.htm)

This is the second copy of this title that I have now seen that Altemus published for another company. (See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/publications/HACMisc.htm)

Q: This is a book that is in my wife’s family, The Tent on the Beach. There is no copyright or any date for that matter. Can you help?

A: Your book is part of the Slip in the Pocket Classics Series. It was published in the 1909-1915 time range.

Originally it was published with a dust jacket. An example is shown below.

Because this title is a reprint with little collector interest, it only has nominal value.

Q: i was looking to find some information on a book i have called “The Courtship of Miles Standish”
was curious what year it was published. and what kind of value it holds. have sent photo of the book attached. ive had it for at least 30 years. I appreciate your time, and in hopes i will get your reply. no hurry.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1907. It originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown below.

It is a reprint and has nominal value.

During this publication year this book format was published in a number of colors with more than 40 appliqué pictures. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm

Q: Attached is a copy of the cover and title page of “Stepping Heavenward”. Can you give me any information on the book and its value?

A: Your book is part of the Devotional Series and was printed in the 1907 time frame.

It is a reprint and originally was published within a labeled box.

It only has nominal value.

Q: I have a copy of The Light Of Asia and the only date I can find is (c) 1899 under a picture of Sir Edwin Arnold. The book is very old, but I am unsure of how old or who to ask, please further advise.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1904.

This book originally came within a labeled box.

Today I am adding a dust jacket picture of the earlier Format 2 book in this series. It was published starting in 1915.
When this book was first published in 1914, the dust jacket was brown and uncoated.

For more information see: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series11.htm

Books #2-6 were first published in 1919 and this later dust jacket is shown below.