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:  Hello, I am cleaning out some books and this is one I searched online for and found your site! Can you tell me anything about this book? Copyright is 1899. The Yellowplush Papers

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1901. As with all of the titles in this series, it is a reprint. It originally came within a labeled box.

In 1901 there were more than 40 different appliqués seen with this cover.

It is not a very widely collectible title and has little, if any, monetary value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  What do you think of this? No date. Knickerbocker's History of New York

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1903.

All of the titles in this series are reprints. The books were originally sold within a labeled boxes. An example is shown here.

During this year many different cloth colors have been seen. There were more than 40 appliqué pictures pasted on the cover template.

The picture on any one book is generally part of a larger picture. See here.

For more information about the paintings on the front covers of these books see Vademecum Series.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Poe's Poems... absolutely no dates??? Hope you can help... 1000 thanks.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1904. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

Each year to two the cover changed and was characteristic for that year. In 1904 the covers were seen in a number of different colors and there were four different flower appliques. Your book's flower is Queen Anne's Lace.

The 1904 volumes came within a labeled box. An example is shown here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I found this book in my Grandmother's trunk. Book: Line Upon Line.

I have not been able to find a date, just a series with author as unknown per you web site search. Thank you for your time in advance.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1903. During this year, the volumes in this series had one of more than 40 different appliqué pictures.

These books originally came within a labeled dust jacket. The covers were published with any one of a number of colors.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Old Christmas 1899. Excellent condition. Does it have any value?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1900. It is a reprint and since this title is not in particular demand, it only has nominal value.

In 1900 this cover was seen with multiple colors. See here for some examples. These books were originally sold within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have this book...Silas Marner...there is no copyright page or no indication who author is exceptionally on the binding....wondering if there is any value to it.

A:  This book is a reprint and part of the publisher's series: Vademecum Series

This cover was published in 1899. During this year, these books were printed with various color covers. (see here)

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I came across this book (Poems) and I am curious about its history. I can't seem to find a copyright in the book. Is it a rare book and do you know if it has any value? Thank you.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1902. All of the titles in this series are reprints and only very collectible ones have any value.

This book only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi there,
Would you be able to identify this book, please? I couldn’t find it in any edition on your web site. Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Kind regards

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1908.

It is a reprint as are all of the titles in this long running publisher's series.

It originally came within a labeled box. See here.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Would like to know it’s value. Song of Hiawatha

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. This long running publisher's series consisted only of reprints. Each year or so the titles in the series were changed as was the cover format of the books.

Your book is from 1902. There were more than 40 different appliqué paintings that appeared on the cover that year.

Since it is a reprint and the title is not widely collected, your book only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Tom Brown's School Days. Approx. 4.25 x 6.25 inches. No publishing date is noted. Do you know when it was published? The frontispiece shows a sketch of four boys, one is lying on his face. Thanks for any help.

A:  This book was published in 1915 as part of the Vademecum Series.

During this year the books were sold within a labeled box. See here.

It is a reprint and only has nominal value.