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Vademecum
Series (Series 180)
The titles of this
series are
all reprints. Not only are they reprints of earlier non Altemus
editions, but for the most part they are not even Altemus first
editions. This title Poems by Poe appeared in more than 15 Altemus
series but in 100's of different cover formats. One could say that any
one cover is hard to find but since there are 100's of different covers
all using the same text, the value of any one book has to be miniscule.
This is especially true if the book has no jacket or box.
This is a great example of paying way too much. To the seller's credit,
it opened at $9.99. But it has been bid up to $203.50. I would like to
meet the purchaser of this book because I have a few items he hopefully
would be interested in buying.
Description: 1899 EDGAR ALLAN POE POEMS RAVEN BELLS RARE ILLUSTRATED
The Poems of Poe ~ Beautiful Fine Binding ~ Color Illustrations
There are out of line
prices and then there is this book. Look at this ad.
Count TOLSTOI 1898 1ST ED BOOK "WHAT IS ART?" EXQUISITE
Buy It Now price: US $299.99
YOU ARE BIDDING ON A COUNT LEO TOLSTOI (TOLSTOY) 1898 US PRINTING BY
ALTEMUS. APPROX 6.25" X 4.25" X 1". THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL HARD COVER
WITH ORNATE GOLD IMAGES AND SCRIPT AS WELL AS BEAUTIFUL FLORAL IMAGES.
1905-1906 Vademecum
Series
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Non Series #144 -
1898
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Reality:
This is a 1905-1906 Vademecum Series (#180) book. One of the numerous
reprints that Altemus did of this title. Relatively common reprint and
of no particular collector interest.
Henry Altemus did publish this book in 1898 as non series book #144.
The first however was published earlier in 1898 by Crowell.
This reprint edition in this marginal condition should not bring more
than $5. Presently there are 7 books of this title published by Altemus
on ABE. They range from $2.78 to $20. The price of $299 is truly
extraordinary. Good luck getting this price.
How to say beyond
outrageous.
This book listed as a starting bid of $349 is worth $5-10 on a good
day. Granted the Christmas Carol by Dickens is a classic. But does that
make every one of the myriad of reprints rare and special books worth
big money? I suspect not.
Here is the ad:
A CHRISTMAS CAROL-1905-DICKENS-BEAUTIFUL COPY!!!!!
HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY WITH THIS CLASSIC STORY!!!!
Book Description: Henry Altemus & Company, Philadelphia, 1905.
.. Very Good++. Green ornate covers with gilt decoration to cover and
two vertical Orchid pastedowns, darker green stamped titling to spine,
green and red title page with frontispiece opposite. Fifteen pages of
undated ads in the back, interior pages clean with light age toning,
tight spine and hinges with all pages fanning easily...... Stunning
copy of a Christmas classic!!!!
Reality:
This is a Vademecum Series (#180) published in 1905-1906. These books
are relatively common and are certainly nothing special in terms of
Dickens' collectors.
It always amazes me when these Vademecum books go
for anything more than a few dollars. Sure, a lot of the authors and
titles are well known. Sure, the books can look very attractive on a
shelf.
But these books are just common reprints and have no real collector
value or interest. Generally, if anyone buys them at all, it is a
novice collector who just isn't very sophisticated.
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