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.

Standard 12 mos. Series

Q:  Hi, I was trying to research a book by Henry Altemus: Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Its the 167 series. It has a pictorial cover in silver and inks. Would you happen to know what this book would go for or valued at? The book is in great condition. Please let me know.
Thank you and your website has been a great help. I just though I could ask you on its value. Or if you don't know where I could get an answer for my question.

A:  Of all of the Altemus reprints of Alice in Wonderland, it is my opinion that this is the best. A beautiful decorative binding in a solid 1895 publication. This series published the combination Alice book in two formats. I am including a picture of the other format (maroon cover with a silver gilt decorative pattern).

See Standard 12 mos. Series for more information on the series.

The value is somewhat unpredictable. The individual Alice books from the Young People's Library which are as common as trees in a forest frequently are bid up to $50-100 even without dust jackets. This book is much scarcer and of a much better quality than that book. A price of $150-200 is not unreasonable.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  My husband found this book while cleaning. thought it was interesting. tried finding this book, I could only find the peter rabbit book that looks like this.
I did check other web sites and ebay, but nothing on this cover!! I took pictures of the cover, spine, inside cover, second page, title page, copy right page and back cover hope I didn’t take to many pictures, sorry if I did!! was curious.

A:  Your book is the Altemus first edition of Nursery Tales. It was published in 1904. Originally it came boxed.

For more information about your book see ../series/series185.htm and ../wee_books/index.htm.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I have an Altemus book of Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. IT looks very old with the preface to the 2nd edition 1850. However, there is no date as to when this edition came out. I am thinking late 1800s. Pics attached, thanks for your help.

A:  When Altemus published this title, it reprinted the book in its entirety-including the earlier dated preface.

Your book is part of the Vademecum Series (../series/series179.htm) and was published in 1897.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  The attached photos are of a book I have: Longfellow's Poems Vol. II. I've had this book for a long time, but don't know where I got it. It has three black & white pictures (art) on slick or photo type paper. Can you tell when it was published and if it has any value...no, I'm not trying to sell it, I keep books like this!

A:  When Altemus published this title, it reprinted the book in its entirety-including the earlier dated preface.

Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series (../series/series143.htm) and was published in 1901-1902.

Sanspareil Series

Q:  I recently came across 2 books at a sale and was intrigued by their covers. Both were published by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia. They are in very good condition, but I can't find a date. The information on the website informed me they were published before 1900. Would you be able to supply me with more information? The one on the left is "Essays" by Lord Francis Bacon and the one on the right is Sesame and Lilies by John Ruskin.
Thank you.

A:  I have included both pages where you can find both of your books.

This site is for the Sanspareil series. Your book (on the right) is an 1898 book. ../series/series162.htm

This site is for the Vademecum Series. Your book (on the left) is an 1897 book. ../series/series179.htm

Both books are part of an Altemus publisher's series. They are reprints and only have nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I recently stumbled upon this book (Ballads and Other Verses). I absolutely love it and was trying to find out more about it. I have looked at the Library of Congress and on the internet but nobody shows a book like this one. Can you tell me more about when it came out, worth today, etc...? I would greatly appreciate any information. All I know is that it shows having been published in 1807 by Henry Altemus.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series (../series/series179.htm) and was published in 1898.

This series consists of reprints of classics, fiction, poetry, essays, etc. Originally these books came in labeled boxes.

Generally because these books are reprints, they only have nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I was trying to figure out the value of a book and was searching by title and publisher and came across your website. Here is a picture of the cover. I did see an almost identical cover of a different title but I didn't see anything about The House of the Seven Gables. I would like to sell this book but I have no idea how to figure out its value. There are no dates listed in the book so I am not sure when it is published. Anything you can tell me about this book, including any tips on selling books, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A:  Your book was published in 1903 as part of the Vademecum Series. See ../vademecum.htm and ../series/series180.htm.

This series consists of reprints only. In 1903 there were a number of different cover colors and more than forty different paintings used as appliques on the cover.

It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Greetings, was wondering if you could give me any details on A Wonder Book by Hawthorne from 1895, and how much I should sell it for? Thanks!

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series179.htm.

It is part of the Vademecum Series of reprints. In 1895 the books of this series were seen in a number of different colors.

You should take whatever you can get since it is a book of very limited interest to collectors.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you please tell me a little about my Grandmothers Book (Uncle Tom's Cabin)? I have attached photos. Do you know around what it may be worth? Thank you,

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. This series consists of reprints of essays, poetry, fiction, etc.

Each year or two the covers were changed. During 1903-1904 there were three possible left sided colors (beige, pink or blue) and sixteen possible flowers on the right.

See ../series/series143.htm

Unfortunately in this condition it has no value.

Devotional Series

Q:  I have a copy of Gold Dust by Henry Altemus. The book measures 4 1/2" X 6 1/4" with what appears to be cloth covered. I will send pics of the cover and the first few pages inside. On the page of copyright it reads: "Copyrighted by Henry Altemus, of Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania, A.D.1897, in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Year of Independence of the United States of America." Below that at the bottom of the page it reads: "Henry Altemus Manufacturer Philadelphia". On the opposite page it reads: "To E.B.H. This little book is most lovingly dedicated". On the inside cover it has hand written "christmas 1899 from Drarish".

What can you tell me about this book, is it common or rare, what's it value???

A:  Your book is part of the Devotional Series. See: ../series/series75.htm Each year or two the covers of the Devotional Series were changed. The books are quite common and are all reprints. Your book only has nominal value.