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.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of Outre Mer that has no copyright date, I would very much like to know it’s publication date. I thought perhaps that it was part of the L’Art Nouveau series. In the first few pages there is a picture of a man on a horse in battle if that is of any help. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1908-1909.

It is a reprint.

Originally it was sold within a labeled box. See here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I found your webpage while trying to research background on books we are selling from our too extensive collection! I’ve been placing many of these on eBay but I don’t want to give improper information.

This book Plain Tales From The Hills, Rudyard Kipling, Philadelphia, Henry Altemus is dated 1898 but there is a loose page – I thought might have broken free from book. Is photo of author Rudyard Kipling – This photo is dated 1899 which contradicts the actual date of the book.

I have found many books listed stating this date and publishing but the do not look like this one. I would like any information you can give me on this book and edition.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. The Altemus copyright date is not necessarily the same as the publication date.

This title is a reprint and originally was sold within a labeled box. See here.

The covers of this format have a stereotyped pattern on the left. As of this time 28 decorative patterns have been seen on the right half of the cover. See website.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi, I tried to send from website but I could not. Can you help with information on this? I was so surprised to see your website and the amount of books. Through the Looking Glass

A:  This book is a part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1901-1902.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. Several formats of this style exist. On the right half of the cover one of 16 different flower pictures were used. On the left half the lady and her decoration are either in beige, pink or blue. The beige is the most common with the blue being quite scarce.

Originally the box was sold within a labeled box.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I found this book and was wondering how old and how much is it worth. The is no title page and I had no idea who the author was until I looked it up. The Chimes. Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1908-1909.

It was originally sold within a labeled box. See here.

It is a late reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I was recently going through some old books I have that either came from my grandmother’s house or from a library book sale. I’m thinking it came from my grandmother’s house, though, as there are no library markings on it. Longfellow's Poems Volume II

Anyway, I was curious as to when it was published; but there is no date listed anywhere in the book. So I did some research on your website and have come to the conclusion that it was either printed in 1903 or 1904. I found a picture of a book with the same cover, but different title on your website. This is based on information I found on your website at the links below:

http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/images/S143_1903_v224.jpg

Attached are a picture of the cover and of the inside title page. Would you say this is a rather accurate assessment of the publishing date?

As you can see, it’s not in the greatest of shape; but I don’t really care about that as I love antiques. And if it did come from my grandmother’s house, it also has sentimental value. I find it interesting that it starts at page 187, though. But I’m assuming that’s because it’s Volume II.

Anyway, I was just curious to know what else you may know about it; and I thought you may find these pictures interesting.

A:  Your research is right on target. This title is part of a publisher's series. These series which were produced by numerous firms generally included a number of books that required no author reimbursement. All the titles here were reprints.

In this series the cover had a stereotypical left sided pedestal design and one of 16 flower pictures on the right. The volumes originally came within a labeled box. (An example is here.)

Interestingly the pedestal design area has been seen in beige (most common), blue, pink and this format was also published in ooze calf (least common).

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I recently purchased this book entitled "Marmion" by Sir Walter Scott. Any information you can provide about its provenance and value would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book was published in 1905-1906 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

It is a reprint and originally came within a labeled box. See an example here.

During this format's run, the book covers had one of four flower designs.

It has nominal value only.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Do you have any information about the book (Black Rock)? Like publish date, and the like.

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. The titles in this publisher's series were all reprints. Books with this cover were published in 1908 and 1909 and originally were sold within a labeled box (See here).

This title is not in great demand so without the box it only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I can't seem to find a copy with this cover. Lady of the Lake

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

The left half of the cover of this format has been seen in blue, pink or beige. The right half has one of sixteen different flowers.

These books originally came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  This book has no copyright page. Can you tell me the date of my book? The Song of Hiawatha

A:  This book is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This particular cover was published in 1903-1904. During these two years the left half of the cover pictured a pedestal with the title above it. On the right half of the cover was one of sixteen different flowers.

The titles in this series are all reprints and came within a labeled box originally (see here).

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Attached are pictures of Spines and Covers we are unable to identify.
Two Years Before the Mast

A:  This cover format is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1907. During this year there is a center front cover appliqué surrounded by acorns. There are four different flower picture appliqués in this 1907 format.

These books originally came within a labeled box. All of the titles in this series are reprints. The four flower pictures as well as a representative box are shown here.