Q: Hopefully you can help me with these pictures. Longfellow Poems Volume I. The date of 1842 is in the calligraphy on the right side.

A: Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896.

It originally came within a labeled box.

This title is a reprint and only has nominal value.

The 1842 date on the title page refers to the year of the establishment of Altemus & Co.

In 1896 this cover was published in several different colors. A couple are shown here.

This 6″ x 4.5 ” book was first published in 1905. It contains “cynical” pithy aphorisms related to conduct.

It was printed in two formats: A cloth book with a dust jacket (which has not been seen) for 50 cents and a boxed ooze calf book which sold for $1.00.

This title became part of the Jester life Series in 1909. The dust jacket changed in 1909 but the book itself did not.

The ooze calf book was printed until 1909.

See also Non Series #40

This 6″ x 4.5″ 95 page contains numerous pithy aphorisms.

The decorated cloth book cost 50 cents. It initially was a non-series book but starting in 1909 this title was part of the Jester Life Series.

It was published in a boxed ooze calf book for $1.00 between 1905-1909.

First Edition Dust jacket and cover

Later edition. This is the format of this title within the Jester Life Series (1909 and later)

The title page is the same for all of the formats.

Ooze calf edition was unchanged between 1905 and 1909.

See also Non Series #39

Q: Wondering if this book has any value at all. I have not been able to find this particular cover. Thank you.
Through the Looking Glass

A: Your book was published as part of the Vademecum Series in 1903.

The cover picture is part of a larger European painting. If you look on the site, you will see that picture #33 is the same as your picture.

It is a reprint in only fair shape. So generally speaking it would have no real value. There are however a lot of Lewis Carroll collectors out there, one of whom may find your book special. You may want to list it on Ebay and try your luck.

Q: Please can you help me shed some light on a book I have inherited when I lived in America. I cannot find any dates on it but the second to last page (96 in total) advertise the Mother Goose series 131 Volumes 12. I only have the one book (The House That Jack Built) and from the picture you can see it wasn’t looked after before it was given to me. Please can you advise if this book is worth anything as I will therefore get it insured. Also if you require me to give you more details from within the book do let me know.

A: This book is from the 12 title Mother Goose Series.

This title is from the first format of this series published in 1903.

These volumes were published with a dust jacket. An example from this format is shown below.

Q: We picked up the following books at an antique auction from an estate and there were other books from 1800-1929, can you please tell us what we have? There are no dates anywhere, nor copyright info. Antony and Cleopatra. Thank you.

A: You have a few books from this set: Shakespeare’s Plays

There were 39 books in total. These titles were published in a number of formats. Your books were published in the 1906-1933 range.

They are incredibly common and have only nominal value.

Q: Can’t locate info on my book. Love and Friendship

A: Your book is part of the Esperance Series. The titles in this series which are all reprints were published between 1905 and 1909.
These volumes originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

Q: My grandfather would like to know the edition of this paticular book he has from 1895 from you publishing company. Discourses of Epictetus

Any other additional information would be greatly appreciated.

A: This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1895.

As with all of the 109 titles in this series, it is a reprint and does not have a designated edition.

This format has been seen with numerous cover colors. Some are shown below.

Q: I own the hardback copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1900. Henry Altemus Company – Philadelphia.
Is it worth anything? Would anyone be interested in buying it? Do you have any suggestions on what we could do with it.

A: This book is part of the Young People’s Library.

This format of this series was published between 1902 and 1923. The titles in in this series are all reprints.

These volumes all originally came with dust jackets. An example is shown here.

Q: Hello, I’m quite stumped on when this is made (Discourses of Epictetus). I haven’t seen any other leather titles that quite look like this on your website. I would really appreciate any knowledge you have. My best guess is the mid 1890s but I’m not sure. Thanks in advance.

A: This book is part of the Fairmount Series. The titles in this series which were published in 1894 and 1895 were all reprints.

This half calf cover volume with gold vein paper sides is relatively uncommon. These books originally came within a labeled box.