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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.

We recommend that those inquiring about the identification of a particular book format send pictures along with their question.

 

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Questions & Answers
Date Series Num Information
31 Oct 2011 202

Young People's Library

Q:  I just want to know about how much this book (William the Conqueror) might be worth. I found it in my parents attic .... Looking at the website I believe it is the later 1900 edition ... Thanks in advance for trying to answer my question.

A:  Most of the books of the Young People's Library are quite common and and not widely collected. For this reason without a dust jacket this book has only nominal value. For more information see ../ypl/index.htm


30 Oct 2011 110

In His Name Series

Q:  Hi, Trying to do some research to determine the value of my book (Eternal Life). Just says Henry Altemus so I'm assuming it is pre 1900. "Copyright by Henry Altemus 1896". Am I correct in assuming this is also publication date? Thank you so much for your help. I was so delighted to find your site.

A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series110.htm

Although the Altemus copyright of this book is pre-1900, it was published in the early 1900's. Note that it says Henry Altemus Company at the bottom of the title page. Altemus incorporated in 1900.

Unfortunately most of the titles from this series of reprints are not widely collected and when they sell, it is for just a few dollars.


28 Oct 2011 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have attached a photo of a book - Allegories of the Heart - that was presented to my Grandfather in 1903. Can you tell me the approximate publication date?

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1902.

See ../series/series180.htm

This series of reprints generally changed covers every year or two. During 1902 there were a number of different possible cover colors. In addition there were more than forty paintings seen within the front cover design.


15 Oct 2011 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello, I would like some information about my copy of the book, Treasure Island by Robert L. Stevenson (picture below and attached). It was published by the Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia, but no date is given. The cover is green cloth with elaborate embossed designs that may once have been gilded. The picture on the cover is faded, but may have been a pirate ship. The dedication is to S.L.O. and the book has 271 pages plus a list of other books available from the publisher. The size is 4 1/4" x 6 1/4". The spine is embossed with Treasure Island at the top and Altemus at the bottom. This book is similar to another copy of Treasure Island that I've seen which is from the Vademecum series, but the cover is different.

Any information you can give me about this book would be greatly appreciated.


A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series is a multivolume, multiauthored series of numerous reprints ranging from fiction to poetry.

It was published between 1909 and 1912. See: ../series/series180.htm.

It originally came in a red box. The box is pictured on the website.


07 Oct 2011 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I bought this book (The Lady of the Lake) at a yardsale. I wasn't having much luck looking it up til I found your site. However, I did not find this exact combination (color and cover painting). The book has an extra page inserted that doesn't seem to go to this book ??? It also has some kind of a silver colored paper cut out embossed sticker looking thing with an image of a chariot on it. Do you know what it is? I will attempt to send photos.

A:  Your book has the 1901 cover from the Vademecum Series. ../vademecum.htm. Each year the of this series changed. Every cover came in a number of different covers.

In the 1901 books more than 40 different potential pictures exist. If you look at the pictures on the URL above, yours is #35. Each color cover can be seen with any picture. So there are 100's of different combinations for each year that these pictures were used -none rarer or more valuable than any other.

I have no idea what the sticker is. Sorry.


06 Oct 2011 202

Young People's Library

Q:  Hi. I don't know if you still check this website, but I was wondering if you can tell me about this book (A Child's Garden of Verses)? Thanks.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library Format 4. You can see it here: ../series/series202F4.htm

This format was published between 1923 and 1933. Originally it came with a dust jacket which matches the book cover. Except for a few special titles (not this one), without a dust jacket most of the books in the format have little value.


05 Oct 2011

Non Series

Q:  I have a copy of Henryk Sienkiewicz's "Quo Vadis" published by Henry Altemus, copyright 1897. As you can see from the attached photo, it has a picture of a woman praying on the front cover. I have not seen this cover before. Can you tell me anything about this edition?

A:  Your book is the second American edition of this title. This was a huge seller for Altemus. I am including a picture of the first edition cover.

See: ../images/NS_116.htm


04 Oct 2011 69

Classics Series

Q:  I am hoping that you can help. I have attached pictures of a book (Evangeline) that was left to me by my mother. It has a handwritten message inside from my grandmother to my mother for Christmas 1909. The book is 148 pages. I'm trying to find out what year it was published. I got lost on your awesome website.

A:  Your book is part of the Classics Series. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series69.htm

I would date it in the 1907-1911 range.

It originally came in a box which you can see an example of on the series site.


03 Oct 2011 99

Golden Treasury Series

Q:  I did not see this on your website.
copyright 1895


A:  Your book can be found here: ../series/series99.htm. The Golden Treasury Series was published between 1899 and 1901. There are two formats. Your book is from the first format and was published in 1899.


02 Oct 2011 44

Banbury Cross Series

Q:  My name is Emma and I recently bought a book titled "The Fairy Gifts" published by what I believe to be this company, in 1905. I have only been able to find two for sale online both for $89.99, but no information on the book itself. I was inquiring to see if you had any information on whether this book was published by this company and anything about the book at all. I am very interested in anything at all that you can tell me about this book. Also if you have any idea of how much this books is worth. I greatly appreciate any time you take to reply to this message, and any information you have about this book.

A:  Your book is part of the Banbury Cross Series. See ../series/series44.htm

Of course, everyone has an opinion - but the likelihood of anyone selling this book especially without the dust jacket for anything close to $89 is zero.

Although it is a nice book, it is not very widely sought after. Generally when the books of this series sell, it is for $15 or less.

One of the important things to note is that anyone can list a book for any price they want. Selling it is a lot tougher. There are lots of outlandish prices on line for Altemus books. These books most often stay unsold over the months and years.


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