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.

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  I believe my book (Milton's Paradise Lost) is Format 2 #2. Can you tell me if I am correct? How many copies were published? Do you know the value? I would be interested in any information you can provide.

A:  Your book is definitely part of the six volume Dore's Masterpieces Series.

The difference between Format 1 and Format 2 is that the Format 1 books were printed with plain cloth whereas the Format 2 books were printed with full Morocco. The latter books are much more elegant. Note the difference between the two. My Morocco book is on the right.

Having said that, most buyers are seemingly only interested in the Dore illustrations and the cover quality usually is lost on these purchasers.

In nice shape this book generally sells for $50-200.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I inherited this book (The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin) along with a dozen or more other books all dated between 1850-1910. I've been trying to look this particular one up and get some more information about it. But I've been unable to do so. I'm hoping that you can gave me some insight on it. I'm am avid collector so I won't be selling it. But perhaps you could include a possible value.

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published within a labeled box in 1898. It is a publisher's series that includes only reprints.

It only has nominal value.

Dore's Masterpieces

Q:  I have the following book to sell, but I'm not sure if Ebay is the place to do so, and I don't know what the value of the book is. Here is the information:

Dante's Inferno
Altemus' Edition
Illustrated (75 w/blank back side) by Gustave Dore, some dated 1860
A Gore Masterpiece
Edited by Henry C. Walsh
Translated by Henry Francis Cary
No date indicated any place in the book
Size 9" x 12"
Published: "Altemus Edition" -- Cherry Street addresses
Has inserts of both one-page and fold-out advertising flyers - original with $3 and $6 prices The spine is loose, but the pages are in perfect condition, though slightly off-white.

Any pricing information is helpful. Thanks.

A:  This book is part of the six volume Dore's Masterpieces Series and is a very collectible volume. The numerous Gustave Dore illustrations make this book very desirable. It originally came in a box or thick red canvas dust jacket.

Although these books are very common they still generally sell for $25-100. Occasionally more if the condition is excellent. Unfortunately your book is in very rough shape and probably will sell at the lower end.

The flyers for this series are very nice. Some can be seen at ../flyers/flyer-S78.htm.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hello, I have a copy of Black Beauty, and it appears to be in very good condition. I wanted to know what the value of it could be, plus the copyright on the title pages says it is 1897 but according to your web site, it appears to be published in 1906. Someone wrote 1906 on the first blank page inside the cover, so I'm unsure of the actual date.

Also, is something that would be worth selling?

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 3. Format 3 books were published between 1902 and 1923. The format is determined by the characteristic spine.

Despite the copyright date, the fact that this book was published by Henry Altemus Company instantly indicates that it was published in 1900 or later since Altemus incorporated in 1900. Dating this book can be done relatively simply by following the dating flowchart which is on the series page.

Without the dust jacket it has minimal value.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I wish for you to help me. I have found this book and I was wondering about the print date. It is called “Two Years Before The Mast.” Thank you in advance for any help in this matter. If you need a better description of this book then you may call me at (936)xxx-xxxx

A:  This book is part of the 40 title Boys and Girls Classics series.

All of the books originally came within a labeled box. Two formats have been seen. Yours, with the gold gilt decorative pattern between the vertical lines, and books without this decoration. Each book has a book appropriate picture on the front cover. Your book was published between 1900 and 1902.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi There, This book was a gift to my great grandmother by a friend. My grandmother had it among her things when she passed. I'm wondering if you have information on it, as I couldn't find any photo's that were the same as this one. I'm sure it was probably given to her in the late 1800's or very early 1900's. I'm also wondering if it has some value? Thanks for your time!

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Vademecum Series. This 1899 format has been seen with numerous cover colors and originally was sold within a labeled box.

All of the titles in this series are reprints so the books of this series have only nominal value unless the title is a valued one. Unfortunately this is not the case with Bryant's Poems. It will be a hard sell at any price.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, I recently came across a large collection of rare books. This book (Tanglewood Tales) is part of it. It is listed as Altemus from 1898. Any ideas? Thank you so much.

A:  This book was published as part of the Beauxarts Series between 1899-1901. It originally came within a labeled box. This format was printed with a number of different color covers. Some are shown on the series page. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I have a book that I would like some help with. It seems that you know the most on this subject, so I will send you some pictures. It's “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” published in 1896 by Henry Altemus, Copyrighted in 1895. I can’t find a whole lot of information on it, but it has a handwritten ‘No. 71’ in the top right corner, so I think there’s at least 70 others running around somewhere, but I haven’t seen one yet. It was given to Dan B. Hoover by someone named Leila, Dec. 25th, 1896 according to what she wrote in it. Then ’Dan Hoover’ promptly stamped his name in the book.

A:  Your book was published in 1896 as part of the Vademecum Series. During this year the covers were published in a number of different colors. See series page for some examples.

The number 71 has no meaning to me. Probably just the book owner's notation. The book is a reprint and has little to no value (unfortunately).

Life of Service Series

Q:  Good morning. Attached are two photos of a book I found (Manners). Could you please tell me about it and if it has any value. Thank you.

A:  This book is part of the 28 volume Life of Service Series. It originally was published with a dust jacket which matched the front cover. It also was sold within a box that had a cover similar to the book cover.

This series was published between 1912 and 1933. Your book is part of the third (out of five possible formats). These books are not widely desired and consequently have little value. A sample box and dust jacket are shown on the series page.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book Essays-Lord Francis Bacon? There are no inscriptions on the front cover. Inside just Philadelphia Henry Altemus. No apparent date.

A:  Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Sanspareil Series. This publisher's series of reprints included 104 volumes. Each book originally was sold with a dust jacket. An example is shown on the series page.