Q: Recently I came into possession of an older Henry Altemus print, “The Essays of Lord Bacon.” From what I can find online, it appears to be in the Sanspareil Series, but I am unsure because the marbled cover and binding seem different from the examples on your website.

I have included photos of the title page, as well as the cover and spine. Any help identifying this book would be greatly appreciated.

A: Your book is either from the Altemus Library (Henry Altemus Company – Altemus Library Series 37) , the Laurel Series (Henry Altemus Company – Laurel Series (Two volume sets) Series 119), or the Fairmount Series (Henry Altemus Company – Fairmount Series 83).

In order to determine the exact series the book belongs to you would need the box which the book originally came in. The boxes were labeled with the book title and series name. Unfortunately the boxes are rarely found.

Q: Could you tell me about this copy? The Scarlet Letter

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. It originally came within a labeled box.

See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

It is a reprint and in my opinion, in this condition has nominal value on a good day.

Q: Please help me determine the year of this book, The Lady of the Lake. I can not find the cover anywhere. If you can share with me the edition and history and if it’s rare I would love to hear more. Thank you so much! 

A: Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1908-1909. It originally came within a labeled box. Example below.

See: Henry Altemus Company – Petit Trianon (Third numbering) Series 143

It is not a very collectible title and therefore only has nominal value.

In 1911 the “Stories from History Series” was released. The titles were previously in the Young People’s Library. At that time 27 titles were deleted from the Young People’s Library series and those titles became this series. See: Henry Altemus Company – Stories from History Series 170

The only differences between the books of this series and those titles previously in the Young People’s Library is found on the dust jacket where the name of the series is noted on the spine and the book list of the series is on the back of the jacket and the back ads where the “Stories from History” titles are shown.

The books of this series are quite scarce.

In 1901-1902 Altemus featured illustrations copied some of the works of Alphonse Mucha, the Czechoslavakian artist, in its Petit Trianon Series.

Henry Altemus Company – Petit Trianon (Third numbering) Series 143

A new Petit Trianon cover with a Mucha illustration has been discovered. This cover is from a 1903-1904 book. It is likely that the other Mucha picture is also on a 1903-1904 book cover.

A second box style has been noted for the Format 5 books in the Devotional Series.

This box was used later than the other box.

Q: Any info available? (Kidnapped) Value it’s worth? Where could I sell?

A: Your book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898.

See: Henry Altemus Co – Vademecum Series (early numbering) 179

It is a reprint.

In my opinion it is only worth a couple of dollars. You could try Ebay.

Q: Hi – I am trying to determine the date for this book (Undine) but sadly the front page has been torn out. I would appreciate any guidance you could offer.

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

See: Henry Altemus Company – Petit Trianon (Second numbering) Series 142

Q: My grandma recently passed and my grandpa gifted me a copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. I tried to date it using the website but was unable to. Is there anything you could tell me?

A: Your book is from the Petit Trianon Series.

See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

It was published in 1903-1905.

It is a reprint.