Henry Altemus Company

The following are questions submitted via email by our visitors.

If you have a question about Altemus books that you'd like answered please click on the Questions link at the bottom left of this page.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  Would love to know a little more about this book. I have attached a couple of pics.

A:  Your book is part of a publisher’s series of reprints called the Sanspareil Series. It was published in 1898.

Originally it had a dust jacket. See here.

Valenciennes Series

Q:  I was wondering how much you would think this is worth? I read you description about the book but could not see the pricing. Poems, Longfellow

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

It is a reprint which is not in great demand by collectors.

It only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I acquired this book, The House of the Seven Gables, recently and am wondering about the year it was published. I would be grateful if you could give me this information!

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

It only has nominal value.

Three Volume Sets Series

Q:  Hi. I saw your blog and thought you might be able to help. I have a book by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is “Essays, First Series.” It was published by Henry Altemus, and the stated date is 1894. I can’t find this particular printing anywhere. Can you tell me anything about it? Thanks so much!

A:  Your book is from the "Three Volume Sets" Series. It was published in 1894.

It originally came in a labeled box with two other titles. See here.

For more info about this series see: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series175.htm

In this shape it has no monetary value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  No date?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series changed the cover year by year. This cover was published in 1897 and was seen in numerous colors. See:Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series (early numbering) 179

It was originally sold within a labeled box. See here for an example.

Wee Folks Cinderella Series

Q:  Can you please tell me the value of this book? Jack and the Bean-Stalk

A:  This book is part of the ten volume Wee Folks Cinderella Series. All of the books are reprints and originally came with dust jackets (see here). It originally was published in 1923 and then reprinted many times over the next ten years. In this shape this book has no monetary value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this book I found in a house I bought. I don't seem to find it anywhere online. Can you tell me if this is something I should safeguard? Bacon's Essays

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896. All of the titles in this series are reprints. This book which has a not very collectible title, has nominal value only.

Riviere Series

Q:  Could you tell us the value of this "Old Christmas" Riviere series?

A:  This volume is part of a publisher's series (Riviera Series) of 87 titles, all of which are reprints, and was published in 1901. These books originally came with dust jackets. Because this book is a reprint of a not very collectible title, it only has nominal value. A picture of representative dust jacket is shown on the series page.

Vademecum Series

Q:  To whom it may concern,
I have recently come across this book and was wondering what the price is. Please take a look and give me a price quote. Poems by Edgar Allen Poe

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It is a reprint and was published in 1895. During this year a number of different color covers were printed. Poe collectors may be interested at about $10 but probably not much more.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Attached is a photo of a book of Poems by your company by Edgar Allan Poe. Dated 1895 with hand written inscription on Christmas of 1986 "love from Nell". Your website said to send a photo of cover of book.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This publisher's series of reprints was printed between 1895-1910. Every year or two the cover of the titles within the series was changed. This cover was published in 1896. Several cover color variations have been seen.