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.

Poems We Love Series

Q:  I am a used book seller and was looking to get some help on possibly identifying the publish year of this book below? (Idylls of the King) Seems to have a type of hide for the cover maybe.

A:  Your book is from the ten volume “Poems We Love Series”. These books are all reprints and were published between 1912 and 1915. They originally were sold within a labeled box. Altemus described them as being bound in “Limp velvet calf”. Several cover colors have been seen.
For more info see: Henry Altemus Company - Poems We Love Series 146

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have in my possession Emerson's Essays First Series and Second Series and am trying to determine their edition/age as there is no date indicated that I can see. I've searched your site, and they seem to most resemble the Petit Trianon series, but not exactly. I'm wondering if you can give me any more information?
Thank you!

A:  Your books are from the Petit Trianon Series and were published in 1898. They are reprints and originally came within a labeled box.
See: https://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series142.htm

Shakespeare's Plays

Q:  I have a collection of these books that were my grandparents.  There is an inscription that says Frank Wright Hamline University December 1907, so I know that the books are at least that old, but know little more as there is no publication date.  My guess is Hamline used them as textbooks maybe?

A:  This set of 39 books was published by Altemus between 1899 and 1933. The books originally had dust jackets and some were sold in large box sets. There are a number of different formats and they are well described on the website page noted below.

The Shakespeare Play books are among the most commonly found Altemus publications. They generally do not sell or, if they do, for a couple of dollars each.
See: Shakespeare's Plays

Petit Trianon (Third numbering)

Q:  Can you help me with this book and its value?
The Thoughts of the Emperor by George Long Philadelphia Henry Altemus copyright 1899 published 1899

A:  This book is part of the Petit Train Series and was published in 1899.
It is a reprint and originally came within a labeled box.
It has nominal value.
For more info see: Henry Altemus Company - Petit Trianon (Third numbering) Series 143

Non-Series #121 Robinson Crusoe

Q:  Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

A:  Your book is the first of a number of non-series Robinson Crusoe books published by Henry Altemus.
This format was published between 1892 and 1896 in various colors.
For more details See: Henry Altemus Co - Non Series

Vademecum Series

Q:  I'm having trouble finding the age and value of this book, Treasure Island. My husband recently received it as a gift and I'm wondering if we need to insure it. Thank you for your help!

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

See: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series (later numbering) Series 180

Since it probably would not sell for much more than $10-$15, insurance, in my opinion, is not necessary.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  I am helping my dad go through some older books he acquired.
This is one of them: The Pleasures of Life by Sir John Lubbock.
Just curious if you could please give any information about it and it's monetary value?

A:  Your book is part of the Beauxarts Series. It was published in 1897.
It is a reprint with nominal value.
See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series47.htm

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello! I just acquired a copy of Kiplings "barrack-room ballads and ditties" published by henry altemus and was wondering if it’s value, publishing date, rarity and any other information of interest you might have.

A:  Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. See: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

It is a reprint with nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, This book is Marcus Aurelius's Thoughts. Could you tell me any information about when it was printed?

A:  Your book is a reprint which was published between 1909-1912 as part of the Vademecum Series. See: Henry Altemus Company - Vademecum Series (later numbering) Series 180

It originally came within a red box. An example is shown here

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello I have a small green hardback of Sesame and Lilies by John Ruskin. The only identifying items are:
—no title page but Henry Altemus, Philadelphia
—my aunt's name with “Christmas 1897” inscription

Can you determine if this is of any value?

A:  This book was published in 1896 as part of the Vademecum Series.
It is a reprint with nominal value.
See: https://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm