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:  I have a book I found in a Thrift Store a few years ago and cannot find any info on how much it is worth or if it is a collectible.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Henry Morley Introduction
Henry Altemus Publication Philadelphia

A:  Your book was published in 1901 as part of the Vademecum Series

The cover illustration was done by Alphonse Mucha as part of his seasons illustrations. It is spring.
See also Series 180

The book is very nice but has very little value.

Of interest is that I have yet to see Mucha's autumn. I have seen the other three seasons numerous times.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hello- I have a copy of copy of Nathaniel Hawthorne's , A Wonder Book - publisher Henry Altemus Company. There is no publishing date but an inscription and date: Margaret Waggener, "Xmas 1894" with additional date 1904.

The cover is grey cloth, with two short inset columns (top right and left sides) with daffodils in yellow and red. In between the columns is a very ornate design that has worn off the yellow coloring.

Can you give me any history information? Do you know what it's value would be?

A:  This is another publisher's series book. This is a 1905-1906 Vademecum Series title. The books of this series are perhaps the most common of all publisher's series books and this is one of the most commonly found covers (years).

The cover has been seen in a number of colors and 4 different applique flowers have been seen.

Because the title and format are not widely collected, the book has only nominal value.

I am unsure what the significance of the inscription of 1894 is except to note that it has nothing to do with the date of this book.Series 180

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have a copy of Uncle Toms Cabin. I believe it to be a first edition from Henry Altemus, can you confirm?

A:  The first edition of Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852 by John Jewett.

Your book was published in 1899 as part of the Vademecum Series. It originally came in a labeled box. Altemus published this title numerous times in numerous formats beginning in 1894. All Altemus copies are reprints.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I am attaching a picture of the Kipling book, Plain Tales From the Hills, which I recently found among my mother's things. I wonder if you can tell by the cover what year it might have been published. The only address in the back says, Henry Altemus' Publications, Philidelphia, PA and then goes on to list all the series for sale. It is intact except for the all-important title page. At least, I assume it is missing. It begins with the Rudyard Kipling intro paragraph and then jumps to page 3 and 'Lispeth.'

Any information would be appreciated.

A:  Your book is part of the multi volume Vademecum Series. This series of reprints was published between 1894 and 1926. Your cover style was published in 1899.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi…I have a book Ten Nights In A Bar Room by T. S. Arthur…Philadelphia …Henry Altemus Company…It has no dates…Can you tell what date this book is from?

A:  Your book is part of the multi volume Vademecum Series. This series of fiction and nonfiction reprints was published between 1894 and 1926. You cover was used between 1909 and 1913. This book originally came within a box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have attached a scan of the cover of my copy of Drummond's Addresses, recently purchased at a library book sale. I find it an unusually handsomely produced volume and didn't see a cover anything like it in your collection. I would be very interested to know a publication date for this volume, if you happen to be able to enlighten me.

A:  This is a 1903 Vademecum Series book. This series which was published between 1894 and 1926 included numerous reprints of fiction and nonfiction works. The covers generally changed from year to year. Several years had covers with appliques of European artists' paintings. Presently 37 different paintings have been found. Your cover is #18. For more information about these books see: Vademecum Series

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have found a very old Henry Altemus book. I am waiting for my batteries to recharge to send you a photo.

The title page contains:
Honore De Balzac
Shorter Stories
Philadelphia
Henry Altemus
All lettering in Red with Green decorative. The back of the title page lists in red: Copyright 1895 by Henry Altemus

The cover looks strikingly like Series 180 Vademecum. I don't seem to be able to identify this book. I would appreciate any help you can provide.

A:  Your book is a 1901 Vademecum Series book. For several years the Vademecum books had various cover styles within which was a painted picture such as yours. These pictures (of which I know of 27) were used randomly with all of each year's books. The 1901 book came in at least 6 different colors. Thus for any given title there would be at least 162 different combinations of pictures and cover colors. Although any one book might be hard to find, the books of this series are relatively common. Certain titles are a bit more collectible than others. This is not because of scarcity but rather just because the title or author is more widely known. The Alice in Wonderland books by Carroll would be an example. They usually only bring nominal value when sold.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have the "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" 4 1/4" by 6 1/4" with no date of publishing. Date and value?

A:  Your book was published in 1907 as part of the Vademecum Series. Although it is obviously a great book in nice condition, it has only nominal value. Perhaps if it had the original box it came in it would be worth a few dollars.

Vademecum Series

Q:  The attached file (jpeg) shows the book titled "Idle Thoughts Of An Idle Fellow". It measures 6.5 inches x 4.25 inches. No copyright/publication is present Philadelphia and Henry Altemus Company is shown near the bottom of the title page. The book has 226 pages plus 24 pages of book publications for sale. It also has one (1) each double-sided blank page in the front and back of the book.

It would be appreciated if you could tell me what you know about the book, as well as its publication. Also appreciated would be a price range.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series published in 1903. This series was a multi volume series of reprints of fiction, poetry, essays, etc.

Each book in the series originally was boxed.

The picture on the front was used in several different formats in the early 1900s.

Value is between $0-15.

Although it is a very nice book, it is not a book of great collector interest.

Vademecum Series

Q:  We found a copy of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. The title page (which is attached) does not have a print date. The cover of the book is also attached. We are interested in discovering the print date of the book. Thank you.

A:  Hi. This book is part of the Vademecum Series. This multi volume series of reprints of essays, fiction, poetry, etc. was published between 1894 and 1926. Every year or so the front cover design was changed. Your book which originally came with a box was published between 1909 and 1913.