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.

Young People's Library

Q:  I was going through some old family property and found this edition of Through the Looking Glass. I was wondering if you have an insight on its value and the other books that may accompany it.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 2. It was published between 1898-1900. It originally had a dust jacket. Henry Altemus incorporated in 1900 so your book had to be published in 1900 or earlier.

You can date it exactly by looking at the dating information here: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series202F2.htm

This is a very collectible book although it generally does not sell for as much as Carroll's Alice book.

Even though it is quite common, I have seen it sell for anywhere between $10-100. This price range is inexplicable.

Young People's Library

Q:  I have attached pictures of a book (A Child's Life of Christ) I have and am wondering if you have any idea of the value. It looks like, from the description on your website, it is a 1st Edition? Anyway, please take a look and see what you think!

A:  Your book is part of The Young People's Library, Format 1. It was published in 1895. There were two 1895 editions. The earlier one (yours) has only six books listed on the copyright page. Later 1895 editions have a book list that ends with Gulliver's Travels.

It is not a widely collected title and in average shape it has only nominal value.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hello, I found this book (Through the Looking Glass) at an estate sale and was wondering if you could give me any information about it at all? It's a hardback Blue in color. Altemus on the binding. The inside cover is dated 1895. I have attached a photo of the book and one of its title page. Thank you for your time.

A:  This book is part of the first format of the Young People's Library.

It is the first of the Altemus Alice individual titles. See ../alice/alice.htm

I think you have one of the better Altemus Alice books. The later 1897 and on Young People's Library editions frequently are sold for $50 and up. Your book is scarcer and in my opinion overall nicer. It is not unreasonable to think $50 or more. But since there is no true market price, it could sell for a lot less or a lot more.

Young People's Library, Format 1

Q:  Rarity? Value? Thank you. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

A:  I am asked about the Altemus versions of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass frequently.

All of Altemus' formats are reprints and there are quite a number of them. All are described here: ../alice/alice.htm.

These titles are very collectible. The value of course is in the eyes of the beholder. Of interest is that the format that frequently sells (and is listed) for significant money is extremely common. That cover is from the Young People's Library Format 2 and 3. This book is listed with the copyright of 1897 but most copies advertised for sale were actually published in the teens.

The very common cover 1898-1923 version here

Your book is from the first format of the Young People's Library. It is scarcer than the book with the queen on the cover.

Young People's Library Format 1

Q:  A friend has a what seems to be a Late 1895 Edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. We are interested in the current value. Can you help her or suggest who can? Please see the attach photos.

A:  Your book is part of the first format of the Young People's Library. It was clearly published in 1895 as is noted at the base of the title page. The earlier 1895 books have a different list of books in the front advertisements. It list six books not eight as in the later 1895 ad (shown here).

There is no price guide and "experts on price" are suspect. I have seen this book sell for as much as $125 and for as little as $10 (in similar conditions). No rhyme or reason.

Young People's Library Format 4

Q:  Please place a value on my book (The Pilgrim's Progress). I have looked everywhere and can't seem to find pictures of the cover. There is no publishing date printed in the book? Images included. Thank you so very much!

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 4 and was published between 1923 and 1933. A closer publication date could be determined by studying the ads in the back of the book. Two covers of this title have been seen in this format. The other cover is also shown here.

More information as well as pictures can be found here: Young People's Library, Format 4

This book originally came with a dust jacket.

It may sell for a few dollars.

Young People's Library

Q:  This book (Rip Van Winkle) has been in my possession for over 50 years, given to me by my Mother and I was wondering if it has any value, other than sentimental? Thank you for any information you can give me.

A:  This book is part of the Series 202 the Young People's Library, Format 3. Originally it had a dust jacket. This format was published between 1903 and 1923. All of the titles of this series were published originally with a dust jacket.

Unless the title has special significance to collectors, there is little value. Your book is in this category.

Of unrelated interest is the variant cover that has been noted. It is shown here. It is common for Altemus to vary some colors on the cover of a book that is published over many years.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hi can you send me information regarding the attached book (Grimm's Fairy Tales). The cover is not shown in your posting.

A:  The Young People's Library is a series of books for juveniles. There were four formats which are easily distinguished by their covers and spines. This book which has the appliqué on the front cover is part of Format 4. This format was published between 1923 and 1933. Because of this ten year span, these books are relatively common. The dust jacket matches the book's cover.

This cover as well as other pictures of the books in this series are shown here: ../series/series202F4.htm

Young People's Library

Q:  My father just passed away and I found this book (Exploration and Discovery in the Frozen Seas) amongst his belongings and I was wondering about this book due to its age and the little research I did online about it. Can you shed some light on it?

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library. This series was published from 1895 to 1933. This book is part of Format 1 which was published between 1895 and 1898. Each format has a characteristic spine decoration. The Format 1 spine is shown here.
The Format 1 books with this title have been seen with two different cover illustrations and in several different colors. They are shown on the series page. The edition of your book can be determined by examining the ads in the front and the back and looking at the website information. ../series/series202F1.htm
The Format 1 books are slightly smaller (6.5 x 5) than the Format 2-4 books.

Young People's Library, Format 4

Q:  As per your information on your website, I assume this book is format 4, #63. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. What what this book be priced at? It is in excellent condition, however a name on the inside.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 4. This format was published between 1923 and 1933. The books all have a book appropriate appliqué on the cover. The dust jacket matches the cover of the book.

The books in this series only have nominal value unless a dust jacket is present or the book has a very collectible title, i.e. Alice in Wonderland.
Your book will be a hard sell for more than a few dollars.