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.

Esperance Series

Q:  Could you tell me more information about this book? See attached. What series would it be? How much it might be worth? I welcome anything you know!

A:  Your book is part of the Esperance Series. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series79.htm. It was published between 1905 and 1909.

This series of twenty books originally came in a labeled box. All the books which are reprints can be found in either brown or green suede.

Generally these books sells for between $0-20.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hello, I was wondering if you could help me put a publication date to this book? I cannot find a similar copy online. It is The Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam published by Henry Altemus Company. I believe it is sometime around 1900. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. Cover scan attached.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series and was published in 1901-1902. It is a publisher's series and consisted of reprints of poetry, classics, fiction, etc.

See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series143.htm

The picture on the right was done by the artist Alphonse Mucha.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of 'Representative Men' by Emerson, listed by you, as European Authors #172. It seems to me under category of covers from 'sliced' paintings of greenery and trees, but I do not see this particular picture. On the list I am referring to of publications of Henry Altemus Company 4-1/2 by 6-1-2 Altemus Illustrated Vademecum Series (also found in back of book) it is #173. Can you tell me the value, of if it is sought by any collectors. The condition of the book is the cover is in good shape, some wear marks on the binding corners, page one has come loose. The rest of the book is in good shape.

A:  Your book's picture can be found at http://henryaltemus.com/vademecum.htm. It is in picture #5. Because your book is a reprint of a title not eagerly sought, it has only nominal value.

Wee Books for Wee Folks Series

Q:  Hi, I was wondering if you could give me any information on the book THE FOOLISH FOX, 1904. I haven't been able to find any information about this book with the green cover.

A:  Your book is a second format book in the Wee Books for Wee Folks Series. It was published between 1904 and 1911. It originally came with a dust jacket which matched the cover.
See http://henryaltemus.com/wee_books/index.htm and http://henryaltemus.com/series/series185.htm.

Boys and Girls Classics (Old)

Q:  Hello! I have a copy of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (photos attached). I was both surprised and pleased to learn that this might be valuable. Can you give me any more information than is included on your website about this book and its value? I have learned so far that it is included in the Series 58 - Boys and Girls Classics (old). It seems to be Format 2, according to your website's information.

A:  You have identified the correct series. It is Format 4 however. It was published by Henry Altemus Company not Henry Altemus. (See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series58.htm). Unfortunately I do not think it is a valuable book. Treasure Island was reprinted by hundreds of publishers in this era. Although many of the formats are quite nice (like yours), they have very little value on the collector's market.

For an interesting look at many Robinson Crusoe reprints see http://larryvoyer.com/RobinsonCrusoe/crusoe%20pages/crusoe-main.htm

This book generally sells for between $0-10.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am from the Netherlands so please forgif me for mij writing.

I have a copy of the book: Gold Dust. Can you tell me please if this is a rare book? On the picture i include the collor is bleu but in real it is grey.

Thanks for your time,

A:  Your book was published in 1898 as part of the Vademecum Series. This series of more than 100 books consisted of the reprints of various essays, poetry, fiction and classics. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series179.htm. All the books were originally published with labeled boxes.

This title only has nominal value.

Young People's Library Format 1

Q:  Hello, We recently found a bunch of old books from one of our relatives and in them was a copy of Robinson Crusoe published by Altemus that was given as a Christmas present in 1898. We would like some information on the book as to the real age, and approximate worth of the book for insurance purposes.

A:  Hi. Your book is part of the Young People's Library and was published between 1895 and 1898. If you look here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm you will find a flow chart that will allow you to date your book by studying the advertisements within it.

Generally since this is a reprint (albeit a nice one) it sells for between $10-20.

Beauxarts Series

Q:  Hello, I have an antique copy of the light of asia, and it says it was published by henry altemus in 1842 or so. Can i have some more information on the book, along with possible worth? Thanks so much!

A:  It was not published in 1842. The 1842 refers to when the company was started by Joseph Altemus, Henry's father. Henry was born in 1833 and probably did not do much work at the age of nine.

Your book was one of many reprints of this title that Altemus published between the early 1890's and the teens. It is part of the Beauxarts Series. (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series47.htm)

Generally these publisher's series reprints only have more than nominal value if they have a collectible title, like Alice in Wonderland for example.

Young People's Library- Format 1

Q:  Greetings,
I have attached a photo of the front cover of "The Pilgrim's Progress." There are no ads in the back and only 6 books are listed behind the cover page. Could you confirm that this is a first edition and give me some idea as to its value. Thank you very much for your assistance.

A:  Your book probably is an early Altemus edition but not the first Altemus edition. Altemus published its first edition in 1890. The true first edition was published in the 1600's.

Your book is part of the Young People's Library (http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm). The exact date of publication can be determined by using the flowchart which is on the series page.

These reprints ordinarily sell for only a few dollars.

Young People's Library, Format 4

Q:  Ten days ago, I came across a Henry Altemus Company book without a publishing date and doing my usual daily research, I came across your website and was able to roughly match my book with an image of the cover of another book, thus giving me a nice estimate for a publishing year, around 1907.

Today's book, I'm afraid, has no date and I can find no matching cover style on your site so far. Fortunately, there is an inscription inside the front cover dated Christmas 1924, but I was hoping to match a cover style as well to make that a more concrete date, if possible.

The book is 'A Child's Garden of Verses' by Robert Louis Stevenson. I have attached my images of the day for the book and I apologize that there isn't a direct shot of the cover, but I think you might be able to get a general idea just the same. My question to you is, does this look like it could be from around 1924? Or do you perhaps recognize that style of cover as another particular year?

I don't expect much, but thought I would drop a line and check with you.

A:  Your book appears to be from the Young People's Library Format 4 (see: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F4.htm) which was published for the first time in 1923. Thus based on the inscription in your picture the book probably is either a 1923 or 1924 book.

I looked at your slideshow. Very nice. If you have other questions regarding dating books, I can try to help. I have an extensive reference library for this sort of thing.

For dating issues the place to start is generally the title page.