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.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I found this book (Lucile) in a box of books given to my children. I would like to know more about it like when it was actually published and how old the book really is and maybe if there is a value to it. If you could help me out with this I would greatly appreciate it. In one of the pictures I attached has a date of 1842 Philadelphia Henry Altemus and that is the only date in the book. I have googled this book in a variety of different ways and cannot seem to find one like it. In this book there is no series number or copyright page nothing.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1896.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

The 1842 date which is within the decorative pattern indicates the year the company was founded.

It has nominal value only.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am not able to find this addition on your site (Longfellow's Poems). How much does Vol.2 sell for? I would like to complete the set. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1907.

The appliqué picture is #9 on this page: ../vademecum.htm

You can find the series list here: ../series/series180.htm

This edition can be seen in the 1907 books in the picture section.

You may have difficulty finding the exact title in this format. If you find it, it should not cost more than $10.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello. I’m 13 years old. When working at an estate sale this summer, I bought a book. This book was titled “Bryant’s Poems” The cover of this book looks like the 1909 book “crown of wild olive” with a different paste-on picture. When I brought the book home, I saw that on the inside cover, there were two names, one in pencil and one in pen. The first one was in pencil, and it read “Mary E. Beck. 1892” the other read “A. Marie (something in tight cursive that I couldn’t read), 1965. I researched this book on the Henry Altemus Company webpage because it read “Philadelphia, Henry Altemus Publishing Company” on the second page, but found that they didn’t have any information on any of William Cullen Bryant’s books from 1892 that I could find. The inside cover or any pages after offer any help in identifying anything about this book. If you have any information on this series and could tell me when it was written and possibly how much it’s worth, (though I have no intention of selling it.) I would be very grateful. Thank you for your help!

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909-1912. It originally came in a labeled red box.

The 1892 date does not signify when the book was published but has some other meaning. Perhaps someone's birthday.

Your book was quite popular in these years and was reprinted by many companies, including Altemus.

Because it is not a widely collectible title and because it is not in great shape, it has nominal value only.

For more information see ../series/series180.htm

A picture of a red box is shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I have a Cricket on the Hearth book by Charles Dickens. I was wondering if you would be able to tell me more about this book. I know it’s the 1899 edition from Henry Altemus Company. But I’m wondering how I could find out how rare it is or how much it might be worth. I’ve been trying to do some research and can’t seem to find a book with the same exact cover as this one anywhere online. Any help would be very much appreciated!

A:  Your book was published in 1902 as part of the Vademecum Series.

The appliqué is listed as #35 on this page: ../vademecum.htm. More than 40 paste-ons have been seen with this book cover. It originally was sold within a labeled box.

Although a nice book, it has limited value since it is a reprint and is not widely collected.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  How old is this book please?

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1895/1896. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

During these years the decorative pattern on the left side of the cover was unchanged. The right half of the cover has been seen with numerous designs.

Twelve different ones are noted on the webpage. This book originally came within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  This book (A Sentimental Journey) has an inscription dated 1921 and was bought at Herz’s Bazaar, Terre Haute, Ind. It has no dust jacket and measures 6 x 4. I can’t find a similar description on your website. Thanks.

A:  This book is from the Vademecum Series and was published in 1896.

It is pictured on the website with the 1896 books.

It is one of the scarcer formats of this long running series. Most of the 1896 books have this color (or a slightly greener version). It is a reprint as are all of the titles in the Vademecum Series.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, can you please provide information on this books information including authenticity rarity and value. Childe Harold's Pilgrimage

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1902.

It originally came within a labeled box. An example of the box is shown here.

Because this is not a title that is in any demand, this book will be a hard sell for more than a few dollars.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I picked this book (The Lays of Ancient Rome) up at a garage sale recently. It is in really nice condition. The binding is strong, pages are clean with no writing, rips, fraying or wear. The cover is a bit faded but not worn. I was wondering the age of the book. What series is it from? Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. All of the books in this series are reprints.

It was published in 1900 and originally came within a labeled box.

This cover has been seen with a number of different colors. Some examples are shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  See pics belong I'm trying to date this book. Black Beauty. I've read over the site. It looks like the format 1 version until you look at the front of the book, it has a design on the front. There are multiple ads in the back. And on the spine it says Sewell and not altemus.

A:  This book is from the Vademecum Series.

This cover is the one used for this series in 1898. Numerous different color combinations were seen with this basic cover. Some are shown here.

All of the titles in this series are reprints.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently came into possession of an old book entitled Heroes and Hero Worship by Thomas Carlyle. It doesn't have a copyright date and is in pretty poor shape as I don't think it was well taken care of. Could you please enlighten me as to when it may have been published?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in the 1909-1912 timeframe. All of the titles within this series are reprints.

It originally came in a labeled box. A representative box is shown here.