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.

World's Classics Series

Q:  I would appreciate it if you could provide info on our Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Attached are photos of the cover and cover pages.

A:  This book is part of the World's Classics Series. The ten book series of reprints was published between 1912 and 1916. All the limp velvet books originally came in a labeled box. The velvet has been seen in brown, green and red.

In this condition it has no monetary value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you tell me the history of this book? Thanks

A:  Your book is a part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. During this series publication history, every year there was a new cover. This one is the 1899 format.

In 1899 the left half of the cover remained constant while the right side had numerous different decorative patterns. I have seen 27 up to this point.

These books originally came in a labeled box. (An example is shown here.)

All of the books in this series are reprints. Thus, only special collectible titles have more than nominal value.

La Belle Fleur Series

Q:  I have THE SONG OF HIAWATHA book from my Grandfather. Could you please tell me any information you have so that I may pass it & the book on to my son. On the top right of the inside cover NO - 58 is written. Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1901. It is part of the 131 volume La Belle Fleur Series. It originally came with a dust jacket. (An example is shown here). As with all the the titles in this series, it is a reprint.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  Hello. Here is a lovely little book (Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam). I’d love to know more about it and any value it may have. Many of the pages are uncut. Gilt on cover and top of pages is in wonderful condition. Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia on the inside. More pics available from every angle if wanted. Thanks.

A:  Your book is part of the Poems We Love Series. This ten book series was published between 1912-1915. The books are bound in limp velvet calf and have been seen in green or brown. When originally sold it came in a labeled box. A picture of the box is here.

The titles are all reprints, not especially collectible and thus have only nominal value (despite the very fine condition of your book).

Non Series

Q:  Hello I am sending 3 pics of this book (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) I have acquired. I cannot locate another like it. Would you be so kind as to identify, date and any other info. Much appreciated

A:  This 1916 book came in two different formats. The earlier books have illustrated endpapers and a color picture opposite of the title page. The later books have plain endpapers and a tipped in picture opposite of the title page. It measures 11.25 x 8.5.

This is one of the scarcest Altemus Alice formats. Certainly it is many times rarer than the Alice's of the Young People's Library. In my opinion, it is also a much nicer book.

It came in a labeled box (which has not been seen).

Click here for more information and to see the endpapers.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I stumbled upon this copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin but unfortunately I've been unable to find any information on it. Can you give me any info you have on it, should I keep it, does it have any value, and if so where would I sell it. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and thanks for your time.

A:  This book was published in 1901 as part of the Vademecum Series. It originally came within a labeled box. It is one of a myriad of reprints of this title that were done by the reprint publishers of the era. It has little value.

This 1901 Altemus format has been seen with many color covers. More than forty paste-on (appliqués) pictures have been noted. See: ../vademecum.htm

Sanspareil Series

Q:  Hello there Sir, so I'm a fairly novice book collector and recently my uncle passed and left me this beautiful Altemus book of Weird Tales. It looks like one of the later series of reprints but the 1895 copyright page confused me. Is that because when they reprinted they reprint everything including the original copyright page? Anyways any help identifying would be appreciated, thanks!

A:  This book was published in 1899 as part of the Sanspareil Series. It originally came with a dust jacket, an example of which is shown here. All the books in this series are reprints.

The 1895 on the Altemus copyright page indicates either when this title was first published by Altemus or when this edition was first published by Altemus. Unfortunately this can make it difficult to know what you have in terms of whether your book is a reprint or an actual first edition. The publisher's series' titles that Altemus published are all reprints. This includes your book.

Vademecum Series

Q:  The Sketch Book Washington Irving
I cannot find any copyright, printing or date within the book. I'm hoping that you can help me date it. approx size is: 6.50 x 4.50 inches
Thank you

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. This publisher's series included only reprints of books of fiction, essays, poetry, etc. Your book was published in 1898. During that year the books were sold within a labeled box. There was only one cover format but it has been seen in a number of different colors. Some are shown on the series page.

Waistcoat Pocket Series

Q:  My mother was given this book (Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam) and I found it going through some of her things. Could you tell me anything about it?

A:  This book is part of the Waistcoat Pocket Series.

The ten book series was published between 1906 and 1921. These miniature books came in several formats and sizes. They all were originally sold within a labeled box. An example of a box is shown here. Covers of limp lambskin, velvet calf and boards have all been seen.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have The Merchant of Venice, with The Adventures of Giannetto, and other Illustrative Pieces. There are no dates, and the book itself is small in size. I bought it at an antique shop and was curious about how old it is and if it has any value other than how much I like it. Can you assist me?

A:  This book was published in 1903 as part of the Vademecum Series. This series is comprised of numerous reprints of fiction, essays, poetry, etc. The cover of this format has been seen in numerous colors. In addition the painting on the cover of your book is one of more than forty that have been noted.

These books originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.