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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Today, your expert book assessments and email address were discovered on the "allexperts.com" website. On that website your comments addressing inquiries pertaining to old copies of the "House of Seven Gables" book are exhibited. In at least one response, you mentioned that your assessment could be more accurate if the inquirer sent you a picture of their copy of the "House of Seven Gables" book.

Here (attached) are some pictures of our copy of an old "House of Seven Gables" book. Would you mind telling us the year that Henry Altemus published this particular copy and what the typical market value of this book is? Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

A:  This book was published in 1897. It is part of the Vademecum Series.( ../series/series179.htm)

This series is made up of reprints of fiction, classics, poetry essays, etc. Except for a few of the titles which are collectable, the books of this series have no significant value.

Generally speaking because this book is a reprint of a not very collectible title, it will not sell for more than a few dollars.

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.

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:  I have this book (Lalla Rookh). I have looked and looked. i eventually found your site but still have not been able to locate this. as far as i can tell it was published in 1895....mind you that this is the only date listed in the entire book. any info you could tell me would be much appreciated.

A:  You can find your book here Vademecum Series with the 1895 published books. It is a reprint and has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Attached is this cover of my book. Emerson's Essays. Is this a reprint? I'm still looking on your web site but thought this may be faster.

A:  Your book was published in 1896. It can be seen here: Vademecum Series

Vademecum Series

Q:  Would like to find more information regarding The House of the Seven Gables book that I own. Any help is appreciated. Thank you! Michelle

A:  Your book is from the Vademecum Series ( ../series/series179.htm ) and was published in 1898.

This series was very popular and consisted of various reprints of fiction, classics essays, poetry, etc. It originally was published with a labeled box. Because it is a common title, it has only nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I have a Nathaniel Hawthorne book which I believe it was published by Henry Altemus in Philadelphia. I attached photos of the book from the outside and some inside. I really just wanted to know a little bit more about the book, the history and what the value of the book is.

A:  Your book is a reprint and is part of the Vademecum Series.

More about your 1898 book can be found here: ../series/series179.htm

It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  To whom it may concern: What can you tell me about this book (The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin)? Is it part of a series? When was the first edition published? How is that indicated? How many copies were printed?

A:  Your book was published in 1895 as part of the Vademecum Series. See: ../series/series179.htm

The Altemus edition is a reprint. I am unaware of how many copies Altemus published but this book is fairly common.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I saw your description on your site referring to Gold Dust as not being published in the 1890's. I beg to differ. I hold in my hand a copy of Gold Dust and inside it specifically says "Copyright 1897 by Henry Altemus".

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1898. ../series/series179.htm

The reader is confusing the Altemus copyright date from the date of publication. But in addition we are not sure where she got the idea that we did not think this was published in the 1890's. Perhaps she saw a mention of a later 20th century Altemus version of this title.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Would like to find more information regarding The House of the Seven Gables book that I own. Any help is appreciated. Thank you! Michelle (Photos Attached)

A:  You can find your book pictured with the other 1898 books here: Vademecum Series

It has only nominal value.