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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently picked up a book and it seems to me that it is part of the Vademecum Series. It is Ralph Waldo Emerson's Essays Second Series. Just wanted to know the publishing year and perhaps any more info regarding the painter of the applique. Picture is attached.

A:  You have a 1907 book. See Vademecum Series for more information.

During the early 1900's there were several Vademecum Series formats that had parts of European paintings as paste-on's on the front covers. Your book's paste-on (appliqué) is part of a larger picture.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi - I don't know if your site is still maintained or not, but found this book recently and figured it couldn't hurt to ask you to identify it. Based on what I've read, I've only figured out that it was after 1900. It is the Courtship of Miles Standish.

Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1908. It originally came with a box. A representative sample of a box is shown here.

As with all of the titles in this series, it is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Non Series #45

Q:  I could not find this cover anywhere online, have you?
Don'ts for Boys
1902, Henry Altemus Company

A:  This non-series title was published in five different formats. This one is the fourth edition. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/images/NS_45.htm

This edition has been seen in numerous linen cover designs. The books originally came with dust jackets.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  i bought this book (A Christmas Carol) and would like an appraisal. thank you

A:  This book is part of the Beauxarts Series and was published in 1902. It originally was published within a labeled box. It is a reprint and although a nice book, has very limited value. Reprints of The Christmas Carol were published by numerous publishers and are very common.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am looking to see if this book (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) has any value. Thank you!

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901.

It is a reprint and originally came within a labeled box. These 1901 publications have been seen with more than 40 different front cover paste-on paintings. Five different color 1901 books are known so far.

Unless an Alice in Wonderland collector has to have this format, the book has little value.

Boys and Girls Classics

Q:  I didn't find any information on your site about the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book that I own, dated 1897. I have attached images to see if you have any information about it. Thank you.

A:  This book is part of the 15 volume Boys and Girls Classics Series.

The books in this series were published between 1908 and 1926 and are all reprints of previously published Altemus books. All of the books originally came within labeled floral decorated boxes. There are a number of different covers on these books. Your cover was published in the early-mid teens.

Diplome D'Honneur Series

Q:  Hello, While going through boxes from my mother's estate, I came across this book (The Song of Hiawatha), and wonder if you can give me more information about it. While the interior pages are in good condition, the covered is somewhat soiled and a little worn, as you can see. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

A:  Your book was published in 1902 as part of the Diplome D'Honneur Series.

The cover is quite unique. The right half is made of brocaded satin.

The book is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Front cover and inside illustration The Scarlet Letter, printed 1900 (Henry Altemus Company Philadelphia), Vademecum Series. Your website shows this cover on 'Black Beauty'. What is value? Someone is selling same on ebay, item # 360563665636 for $1,499.95. Thanks for info.

A:  This book was published in 1900 as part of the Vademecum Series. It originally came within a labeled box. As with all the titles in this series, it is a reprint.

This is a book that sells, if at all, for a few dollars.

Anyone can list anything on EBay for any price. The trick is to sell, not just list, at the high price.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Can you help me pin point a year for this one (Lucile)? I have found similar, but not exact on your web site. Think I have narrowed down the dates from 1909 - 1926, but would like a more precise date if available. Photos attached. Thank you for any help you can give.

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

This book as well as all the other books in this series is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Idylls of the King. Any help would be amazing. I can't find any title page giving copyright or anything. Thank you!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published between 1909-1912.

Originally it came in a red labeled box.

At one time there was a paste-on (appliqué) on the bottom middle of the front cover. You can see what this looked like on the site.

Your book is a reprint and unfortunately has no value.