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.

Boys and Girls Classics (Old)

Q:  Any information that you can provide on this particular book (Two Years Before the Mast) will be appreciated.

A card found inside the book indicates it was a Christmas present in 1901.

A:  Information about your book can be found here: ../series/series58.htm

This series of 40 books consisted mostly of books for juveniles in addition to a few classics.

Based on format your book was published between 1899 and 1902.

It is a reprint and has minimal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi I have a book written by sir walter Lubbock printed in Philadelphia by henry altemus preface is dated January 1887 by kent down it has clovers all over the front cover I’ve sent 2 pictures

Can you help me with a value and year published?

A:  Your book was published in 1897. See: ../series/series179.htm

It is a reprint as were all of the books of this publisher's series of essays, poetry, classic fiction, etc.

It originally came in a labeled box.

It only has nominal value.

Marqueterie Series

Q:  Is this book of any value (Autocrat of the Breakfast Table)? It is in relative good shape. do you know how many were published? thank you

A:  This series of 149 volumes was published in 1899. See ../series/series130.htm

All of its volumes are reprints and except for a few widely collected titles have little value.

Your book only has nominal value.

I do not know how many were published but it really does not matter. Rarity does not necessarily equate to value.

Devotional Series

Q:  Can you please give any information regarding the attached picture of the Bible Birthday Book. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

A:  Your book was published between 1908 and 1924 as part of the Devotional Series.

See ../series/series75.htm

It originally came inside a labeled box.

It has only nominal, if any, value.

Boys and Girls Booklovers Series

Q:  Can you identify this book (The Wanderings of Joe and Little Em)?

A:  This book is part of the Boys and Girls Booklovers Series. See ../series/series56.htm.

This series of 22 books consisted of children's stories. Many, including this one, were first editions.

The books had dust jackets and were published in this series between 1905 and 1907.

The author of this book, Albert Bigelow Paine, was best known as a biographer of Mark Twain. (http://www.twainquotes.com/19370410.html)

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a very old copy of The Crucifixion of Philip Strong. Could you provide info from pictures I'm attaching? Do you have an idea what it is worth and potential buyer. The picture on the cover is a tree.

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series180.htm

It is a reprint. It was published between 1909 and 1912. Without the original box, it only has nominal value.

During this year the applique (paste-on) on the front cover has been seen with numerous pictures.

Wee Books for Wee Folks

Q:  hello, i was on your website and because i was researching a book that i have. My aunt's mother in law was a school teacher back in the early 1900s and she had a Peter Rabbit book from back when she was a teacher. I'll send you a picture of it, any help figuring out what edition it is would be great!

A:  Take a look here: ../peter_rabbit/peterrabbit.htm

You can see your book pictured as a Second Edition (second format). The earlier second edition book has the same picture on the cover but is green. This book was first published between 1908 and 1912. It was reprinted until 1917 when the third Altemus edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I noticed you had someone else ask you a question about a Treasure Island book. I am hoping if I send you a picture of mine you could give me a little info on it. I cannot seem to find it. I have attached a picture of it.

A:  Your book can be see here (../series/series179.htm) with the 1896 books.

It is part of the Vademecum series which is made up of various reprints of classics, poetry, essays, etc.

The 1896 books can be found with a number of different cover colors.

It has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  These are the pictures of the book, The Queen of the Air. Thanks for your reply. There is no date of listed anywhere of its publication.

A:  Your book is an 1899 publication. It is part of the Vademecum Series. This series consisted of numerous reprints of essays, fiction, poetry, etc.

The covers of the 1899 books have been seen in a number of different colors.

See: ../series/series180.htm

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi. I have acquired this book (The Blithedale Romance) and cannot seem to locate one like it via internet research. I am not a vintage book enthusiast so I may be overlooking some comprehensive internet resources that those of you who are involved in this field use routinely.

Mainly....I am trying to find information about rarity and value.....that is to say, I am trying to determine if this is something I want to save for my children....or post online someplace for hundreds of dollars....or put it in a Garage Sale for a buck.

The cover is embossed...or relief...or...well, don't really know the terminology but the lines of the text and graphics on the cover are recessed like grooves.

Any information and/or advice you might have would be appreciated.

A:  You can find your book with the other 1899 books here: ../series/series180.htm. It is part of the Vademecum Series which is a publisher's series of reprints of classics, essays, fiction, poetry, etc.

Unfortunately it has only nominal value since it is not a title that is widely collected. That plus the fact that it is a reprint means it has no significant value.