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:  Hello, I have a copy of Black Beauty, and it appears to be in very good condition. I wanted to know what the value of it could be, plus the copyright on the title pages says it is 1897 but according to your web site, it appears to be published in 1906. Someone wrote 1906 on the first blank page inside the cover, so I'm unsure of the actual date.

Also, is something that would be worth selling?

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 3. Format 3 books were published between 1902 and 1923. The format is determined by the characteristic spine.

Despite the copyright date, the fact that this book was published by Henry Altemus Company instantly indicates that it was published in 1900 or later since Altemus incorporated in 1900. Dating this book can be done relatively simply by following the dating flowchart which is on the series page.

Without the dust jacket it has minimal value.

Young People's Library Format 1

Q:  This book is from my husband's family- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. 1895. No jacket. Probably from Format 1, and one of a set (which we don't have). Could you give us a value estimate?

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 1 and was published between 1895-1898. This is the first Altemus printing of this title. It has been seen in several different colors.

It is much rarer than the later Young People's Library Alice's even though the later ones are frequently touted as "rare and valuable".

The actual edition/year of your book can be easily determined by looking at the ads in the front and following the dating directions on the website.

For more information on the Altemus Alice's see ../alice/alice.htm

Young People's Library

Q:  I have been studying your website and wondered if you could tell me what you think the value is of the attached book (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland). From what I gather from your site, this is format 2, printed prior to 1900 because the copyright page (see next photo) says Frank Altemus, not Frank Altemus Company.

The spine is in tact, and the interior pages are in very good condition. I have seen 3 spots with pencil in the interior, which might be able to be erased. there is also what looks to be green crayon over the left heart on the cover.

The first few interior pages are slightly loose, but from other copies I've seen online, this is in reasonably good condition for the time period.

Thank you!

A:  This is a 2nd Format Young People's Library book published in 1898-1899.

The earlier (pre-1900) Young People's Library books are less common but that does not necessarily make them very valuable.

This book generally sells between $10-75 although it is frequently listed for a lot more. Easy to buy but hard to sell.

(Of note is that this reader promptly listed this book for sale on Ebay at $299. Suffice it to say, it did not sell. Even with a pristine dust jacket it is not worth close to her listing price)

Young People's Library

Q:  Hello ~ my father gifted me the copy of Black Beauty his father received December 25, 1914: the date is inside the cover along with his name. I have looked all through the book to try and identify the date it was printed to no avail. I’ve also gone through your website and did not find the cover so I was happy to see to I had the opportunity to take a picture and send it to you.

I appreciate any info you may be able to relay to me on our little piece of history!

A:  Your book is pictured on the website. This book is part of the Young People's Library. I cannot determine which format (2 or 3) it is part of by looking only at the cover. The different formats can easily be distinguished by the particular spine pattern.

The way to get more information about your book is to go here: ../ypl/index.htm. Click on the appropriate Format based on the spine design of your book.

Format 2 was published between 1898 and 1902 whereas Format 3 was published between 1903-1923.

Young People's Library

Q:  Hi I have the 1895 ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND Book 1ST ALTEMUS ED. Lewis Carroll it has a blue cover on it and is in wonderful condition. I was just wondering what it would be worth.

A:  Your book is the first Altemus edition of the individual title Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In the same year (1895) Altemus published two combination books which included Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. In 1895 there were two different editions of your book. The earlier one has 1895 at the base of the title page and the fronts ads list to Through the Looking Glass.

For more information see ../series/series202F1.htm.

Appreciate that all other Altemus Alice's Adventures in Wonderland are later editions.

Young People's Library

Q:  I picked up this book from a second hand store about ten years ago and am wondering if you can give me some information about it. It is a Grimm's Fairy Tales from 1898 part of the Young People's Library. The spine was damaged when I bought it but I'm interested in having it repaired. I'm hoping to pass this onto my son when he's old enough to appreciate and take care of it.

Any information you can give me would be great. I paid $2.00 for it which to me is a bargain for such works.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library. Based on the cover, it is a format 3 book published between 1902-1923. It originally came with a dust jacket. Except for a few titles the books of this series have little value and it probably is not worth getting the binding repaired. For more information see ../series/series202F3.htm.

Young People's Library

Q:  Would you be so kind as to confirm that this version of Lewis Carroll's "Through The Looking Glass" is part of the Young Peoples Library Series #202, Volume 31, printed 1923-1933, Format 4, #3 Variant and, if it is what a fair market value would be? Thank you for your assistance.

A:  Yes, this book is a Format 4 Young People's Library book. This format is different from the earlier Young People's Library formats in several ways. First it has the paste-on (appliqué) picture on the front cover. Next is the characteristic spine design. I am including typical spines for your information.

Originally these books came with dust jackets which for the most part matched the underlying book cover.

Dating these books more precisely between the 1923 and 1933 publication times can be difficult because of the random nature of ad placements in the back of the book.

For more on this series see ../series/series202F4.htm.

Young People's Library Format 3

Q:  Hi. I was wondering if you could tell me anything about this book (The Little Lame Prince). My grandma bought it at a garage sale, I believe.

A:  This book is part of the Young People's Library, Format 3.

See ../series/series202F3.htm

You can date the book by looking at the ads in the back and using the information on the page above. This format was published between 1902 and 1923. These books originally came with a dust jacket.

Because it is a reprint in poor shape, it has little value.

Young People's Library- Format 1

Q:  I am so glad I found your website. I have been trying really hard to find the value of a book I have. It is a henry altemus book. altemus young peoples library. I actually found the book on your site and info just not the value. It is series #202, volume #8, not the first edition. The book is in very good condition. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you could be. I have attached three pictures for your consideration.

A:  This book is part of the First Format of the Young People's Library. The books of this format are much less commonly found then the later formats of this series. Swiss Family Robinson was published between 1896-1898 in this style. The cover has been seen in several different colors.

It appears that you have a very nice book. The site does not give any values because prices can change with time and are also quite dependent upon condition. In my experience this book would sell for less than $20. Of course you never know when someone just has to have a book but that price is what I have seen over quite a number of years.

Young People's Library

Q:  I have this copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales from 1898 but I have not seen one with this particular cover on-line. I would like to sell it but it's hard to tell what it's worth when I haven't seen another like it. Would you be able to tell me more about it and who I might call to find out its worth? The fabric is quite torn on the binding.

A:  Your book is part of the Young People's Library Format 4.

It is pictured here: ../series/series202F4.htm

It was published between 1923 and 1933. The copyright is not the same as the publication date with your book.

Without the dust jacket it has only nominal value.