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 recently purchased a copy of Manon Lescaut by your publishing house. It has no date in it. I wonder if you could look at a few photos attached and let me know what date you think it was published and any other info you may have such as monetary value.

A:  This book was published in 1899-1900 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. See ../series/series143.htm

It is a reprint originally came in a labeled box. The left side of the cover has a stereotypical decorative vine design. The right side has various floral or other artistic patterns.

As of this time I have seen 27 different right half covers. A typical box is shown on the series page.

The books of this series only have value if the title is collectible. Your title is not and thus the book has only nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi, Can you tell me about this book (Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam)?

A:  This book was published in 1908 and 1909 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. As with all the books of this series it is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box. This book represents the last years of this series which was published with numerous different covers between 1896 and 1909. Generally, unless the title is special in some way, the books do not sell for more than a few dollars.

See ../series/series143.htm for more information.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Thank you for getting back to me so quickly! : ) Attached is a scan of the cover of my book (House of the Seven Gables). Thank you again.

A:  Your book is a 1901-1902 publication. It is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This is a publisher's series of books all of which are reprints. During this year, the books of this series were seen with any one of 16 different flowers on the right half of the cover.

See ../series/series143.htm

Because it is a reprint and not in the best shape, it only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I came across this book (Rip Van Winkle) at a yard sale today and was wondering what year it was published.

I love the nuveau cover so much the book is beautiful. Just trying to get some background on it.

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

During that year this series of reprints was published in several formats. The left half of the cover was printed in either pink, blue or beige (most common). The right half of the cover had one of sixteen flower pictures.

For more information see ../series/series143.htm.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi, I was looking for information on this book. The copyright reads 1899 on the side of the inside cover picture, but beyond the title- Black Beauty, the author and publisher of Henry Altemus, there is no information. Could you fill in the gaps about this book and it's worth?

A:  Your book is from the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899.

See ../series/series143.htm

The books of this series originally came in a labeled box. It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Here are a couple of pictures of the book I have. Thank you in advance for your help.

A:  Your book is from the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899.

See ../series/series143.htm

The 1899 books have a stereotyped pattern on the left side of the cover. On the right half of the cover are various decorative patterns or floral designs.

The books of this series originally came in a labeled box. It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I am inquiring about the value of this book, "The House of Seven Gables", Altemus, Philadelphia. The illustration is dated 1899. Please advise.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1899. During this year the books all had the same pattern on the left side of the cover. The right half of the cover had numerous floral designs or decorative patterns.

See ../series/series143.htm

Because it is a reprint of a widely available title, it is worth only a few dollars.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have in my possession the book pictured below by Washington Irving, called "Knickerbocker's History of New York Complete". There is no date on the copyright page. Any information on this book will be appreciated. I am helping a friend to sell it.

A:  Your book was published in 1903-1904 as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

The covers of this series changed every year or two. In 1903-1904 the Petit Trianon Series had the pedestal on the left side of the cover. This pedestal is either in blue, pink, beige or soft leather. On the right half of the cloth covers is one of 16 flowers. The beige colored covers are the most common.

See ../series/series143.htm

The books of this series are all reprints and consequently have very little value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I've attached a picture of the front cover and the title page of Black Rock - A Tale of the Selkirks by Ralph Connor. Published by Henry Altemus Co. of Philadelphia. The intro was by Prof. George Adam Smith L.L.D. Page following intro says Black Rock and offers a short description of the story with the initials of C.W.G. at the end.

There doesn't seem to be a copyright mark to distinguish the publication. Is this a first publication? 1898? As you can see, the front cover is not in pristine condition. Value?

Thanks for any info you may provide.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1905-1906. See: ../series/series143.htm

The book of this series are all reprints (no first editions) and originally came in a labeled box. Generally unless the title is a special one, the books do not sell for more than a few dollars (at best).

Your book is also in rather tough shape so I suspect it will be a hard sell.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have a copy of A Wonder Book Hawthorn small with no publishing or copyright dates. Can you tell me how old it is and if there is any value to it other then its cool!

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1903-1904. During this year all the Petit Trianon Books had the same pedestal design on the left of the front cover (white, pink and blue have all been seen). On the right half of the cover one of 16 flower pictures were possible. For all the possibilities see ../series/series143.htm

This book only has nominal value.