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.

Wyncote Series

Q:  Good evening! Just hoping to get some information on this edition. A Child's Garden of Verses. No date. 137 pages, 4 color plates, many black and white (looks like) block illustrions. There's a lot of screwiness out there on amazon and ebay etc. I just trying to be exacting. Thank you in advance for your time.

A:  Your book is part of the Wyncote Series. It originally has a dust jacket.

This series of reprints was first published in 1927 and reprinted until 1933.

Wyncote Series

Q:  Each Christmas as I get this book out (A Christmas Carol) I try to find some information about it. My guess is it is from 1910 because of the illustrations but I am not sure. If I missed any information on your site, I apologize. Sometimes all that information is overwhelming to someone not used to working through all of the headings. I send this with the hope that you can tell me more about this book.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,

A:  Your book can be found here: Wyncote Series. It was published in 1927.

The books of this series have a number of possible small symbols on the lower right of the cover.

Here is a picture of the dust jacket that originally went with your book.

Young Folks Puzzle Pictures' Series

Q:  I was wondering if you could help me? I have Animal Tales with Puzzle Pictures. I have attached pictures of this magnificent book. Could you tell me which edition this might be and its value?

A:  Your book is part of the Young Folks Puzzle Pictures' Series. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series199.htm.

There are five books in this series with the Tale of Peter Rabbit with Puzzle Pictures and the Night Before Christmas with Puzzle Pictures being the most desired and therefore the most valuable.

Each book in this series had three different formats (editions). Your book is a second format edition. The first edition books have a full cover paste-on picture and the writing on the spine goes from bottom to the top.

It is always hard to know what a book might sell for. Because your book is in poor shape and does not have a dust jacket, would think it only has nominal value.

Young Folks Puzzle Pictures Series

Q:  I have an Altemus book, Mother Goose's Puzzle Pictures. The condition is not very good, but I was wondering if you could tell me anything about it - the title page is marked Philadelphia, Henry Altemus Company, and on the back of the title page Copyright, 1906, by Howard E.Altemus. No author, but the Introductory section is initialed J.H.W. at the bottom. I looked on your site to see if there was any info but was not able to find any . . . Thanks is advance for any help!

A:  This series of 5 books was published in dust jackets in 1906 (your book-Volume 1) and 1907 (Volumes 2-5). The puzzle in these books is finding the hidden object within each page. For more information: Young Folks Puzzle Pictures Series

Young People's Library - Format 1

Q:  Is this something I should keep? (Through the Looking Glass)

A:  Yes. Although the book is in terrible shape, Alice collectors are always looking for this title in the various formats.

Your book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 1. Based on the ads, it was published in 1897.

See:Henry Altemus Company - Young People's Library Series 202 Format 1

Young People's Library- Format 2

Q:  Child's Life of Christ

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 2. It was published between 1898 and 1902. It originally came with a dust jacket.
It is a reprint.
For more information see: Henry Altemus Company - Young People's Library Series 202

Young People's Library, Format 4

Q:  I’ve had this book for awhile & recently wanted to give it to my granddaughter, but her mother didn’t want it since she had so many books already!
It was from a library, I think, that said 3 day book. & then given to a Sunday school child in 1929. There’s an inscription.
Now I’m reading it to my other 5 year old granddaughter. I was looking to see when it was first published and did not see a date. That’s when I looked it up on the Internet & was curious to see about ordering other titles that were listed in the back , all $1.00 each!
What can you tell me about this book. A Child's Story of the Bible

A:  Your book is part of the Young People’s Library, Format 4. It was published between 1923 and 1933. It originally had a dust jacket.
It is a reprint. See: Young People’s Library, Format 4

Young People's Library-Format 4

Q:  Can you tell me about this book? The Pilgrim's Progress
Picked it up for a friend because it looked interesting.

A:  Your book is from the Young People's Library-Format 4. It was published between 1923 and 1933. See Henry Altemus Company - Young People's Library Series 202 for exact dating information.

The dust jacket matches the book. This title was also seen with a variant applique on the cover. (Shown here)

Young People's Library, Format 4

Q:  Hello I have a book called Tanglewood Tales by Hawthorne. Can you tell me what I have? When it was made and such. I've attached some photos. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 4.

It was published between 1923 and 1933. It originally came with a dust jacket. See here.

This volume is a reprint and has nominal value.

Young People's Library Format 3

Q:  Hello, I've found an interesting book (Grimm's Fairy Tales) and I'm having a hard time finding a date for the publishing (or honestly any information about it). I was wondering if you could help or even know of a person who could. Thanks.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library. It is a Format 3 book.

There is a flowchart on this page which can help you date your book.

Originally it came with a dust jacket.

It is a reprint with nominal value.