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.

Slip in the Pocket Classics

Q:  Can you tell me anything about this book? I couldn't find it on the website.

A:  The Classics Series (../series/series69.htm) and later the Slip in the Pocket Series (../series/series166.htm) were first published in 1907. Your book is from the first of the five different formats and was published in the 1907-1909 era. It originally came with a dust jacket. To date this book exactly you need to be able to see the advertisements on the back of the dust jacket.

Regardless, it is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Standard 12 mo. Series

Q:  Hello, I was reviewing your website http://www.henryaltemus.com and decided to contact you regarding the series 167 "Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass" pictorial cover. I have a blue cloth cover with silver, red and orange colors on the front dated 1895. It also has gilt text block at the top. It is in fair shape but solid reading copy with floral end plates. This issue is more likely the "best made and most valuable" you stated. I'm a bit confused about selling this book. What would be your best guess for selling this book?

A:  In 1895 Altemus published the Carroll books for the ?rst time. Two combination books (Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass) were published in two different series. Within Series #167 Standard 12 Mo. the book was printed in two different formats. One book has crushed levant with a silver decorative pattern on a maroon cover (Other colors have been seen). The other book has a wonderful pictorial cover in silver and inks (Your book). These books are 7.5 x 5.5 and probably Altemus' best made Alice books. My opinion notwithstanding, these two books should be the most valuable of all Altemus Carroll's. They are very scarce and are the first Altemus combination books. This pictorial cover format is especially unique.

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.

Stories We Love Series

Q:  I found this book (Cranford) in an attic. Could you please give me any information you have? Thank you.

A:  Your book is part of the Stories We Love Series and was published between 1912 and 1916. The books of this series were published in red, green and brown. Originally the book was sold with a labeled box.

For more information see ../series/series171.htm.

Story Book Series

Q:  I don’t have a picture..trying to find a copy of a book that was my father’s. Circa 1920 It was a volume of the Peter Rabbit Stories, author Linda Stevens Almond. The cover was Navy Blue and had an illustration of Peter Rabbit on it. The book was about 8 x 10..maybe a little smaller, and about 2 inches, give or take thick. My mother had a yard sale back around 1977 and the book disappeared. I really would love to find a copy as I spent many childhood hours reading it. It contained many of the stories I see in singular..but I have yet to see the volume with many stories. Any help would be much appreciated.

A:  I believe the book that best fits your description is the one shown. It is part of the two book Story Book Series. ../series/series172.htm

It is a compilation of the first 14 books of the Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series. It was first published in 1924. With the dust jacket it is quite scarce.

Three Volume Sets

Q:  Hello. I read through your site and I just couldn't seem to figure out when this book was published. The Princess and Maud
These are the only real pages with information. Just curious, if you have any ideas!

A:  Your book is part of the "Three Volume Sets" Series and was published in 1897. See:Henry Altemus Company - Three Volume Sets Series 175

As per the title of the series, it was one of three books by Tennyson that were sold as a boxed set.

It has nominal value.

Here is a picture a boxed set.

Three Volume Sets Series

Q:  Hi. I saw your blog and thought you might be able to help. I have a book by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is “Essays, First Series.” It was published by Henry Altemus, and the stated date is 1894. I can’t find this particular printing anywhere. Can you tell me anything about it? Thanks so much!

A:  Your book is from the "Three Volume Sets" Series. It was published in 1894.

It originally came in a labeled box with two other titles. See here.

For more info about this series see: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series175.htm

In this shape it has no monetary value.

Three Volume Sets

Q:  Hello, I figured I would write to your company to get the particulars of when you believe this book (In Memoriam) was printed and its approximate worth. I have tried researching it but am at a loss. Any help you could provide would be appreciated. Here are the pictures I can provide.

A:  Your book was published as part of the Three Volume Set Series and was printed in 1897.

In this series there were a total of six three volume sets published between 1894 and 1897 of which your book is part of Set #5. All of the sets originally came within a labeled box. It only has nominal value.

Trevose Series

Q:  Here are two pictures of my book maybe you can tell me about it and let me know if it's worth anything. The Greatest Thing in the World

A:  Your book is from the seven book Trevose Series (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series176.htm) and was published between 1915 and 1933.
It originally came within a labeled box.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Trevose Series

Q:  I was wondering if you could tell me the age of my little copy of The King of the Golden River. It is a very plain cover, which looks like none of the others on your site save A Shropshire Lad.

Thank you for any information you can give me.

A:  Your book is part of the seven volume Trevose Series. These reprints were published between 1915 and 1933 and originally came boxed.

A representative series picture is shown here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series176.htm

There is no point that distinguishes an early printing from a later printing.