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 have the book "Lives of the Presidents of the United States" copyright 1896 by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia. Can you tell me if this book is rare or what the value of it is? Thanks.

A:  The Lives of the Presidents was published in several different formats from 1896 until 1911. Mostly as part of the Young People's Library but also was part of the Favorite Series and Abbott's Historical Series.

This book has a very interesting history. I am familiar with 4 variant formats. As opposed to many books in this series, these books actually change their content based on the year of publication. In other words the newer books list newer presidents. The format 1 book that I have seen lists up to William McKinley who became president in 1897. Even though this book was copyrighted in 1896, I have not seen a book which lists only up to Grover Cleveland who was president before McKinley (in 1896).

The first of the two format 2 books lists not only up to McKinley also but expand his biography in the text of the book from about one page to more than 10 pages. These 10 pages include the events of his presidency (Spanish American War). The format 1 book was clearly published just after he took office so no events had taken place. It changes the copyright to 1896 and 1898.

The later format 2 book was published later (new copyright is 1899) and includes Theodore Roosevelt in the listings (succeeded to the presidency after the assassination of McKinley in 1900). It also includes a short biography on Roosevelt including events of 1901.

My format 3 book (copyrighted in 1899) lists up to William Taft who took office in 1909. This book as with many books in this series lists the 1899 copyright on the title page. This can be confusing but it does not indicate the publication date.

There are other differences between the formats including expanded biographies, lengthened prefaces etc.

This title was deleted from the series in 1911.

The book without a dust jacket has only nominal value. Although I have seen it sold for $20 or so, this would be unusual. With a jacket maybe up to twice that amount depending on condition. The earlier books are more valuable. You can date your book rather easily by the title page if the date is at the bottom. Also, some of the books have a listing of presidents on the last page. That can help date it. If not, the spine design also is helpful. If you would like, send me a pic of the spine and I can date, within a range, your book's date.

Young People's Library

Q:  I have a book named Exploring and Discovery in the Frozen Seas (copyright 1896). Could you tell me about it, was it a series? Thanks

A:  Your book is part of the Young's People Library. It is in format #3.
This format was published beginning in 1902 and continued into the 1920s.
Dating your book exactly can be done by using the ads in the back plus the dust jacket (which unfortunately is not present on this book).
A couple of tips: If the book Vic is listed in the Young People's Library books in the back ads, then your book is pre-1907. If not, post-1907. If Circus Boys #4is listed, then it is post 1912.

Young People's Library

Q:  I would like to know how to identify Henry Altemus editions. I have a copy of a book titled Vic: The Autobiography of a Fox Terrier. It has a red cloth binding with green and black lettering and pictorial fox terrier. End pages are green flowered with little girl holding a book in her lap. 184 numbered pages. Frontispiece is a Victorian era woman sitting in a chair with her maid looking on and a little fox terrier at her feet looking up: "My poor mistress was quite blind." This book is from the Altemus' Young People's Library and is written by Marie More Marsh. There is no copyright page and it doesn't appear that a copyright page has been torn out, but I suppose it could have been. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

A:  The book you describe was included in the Young People’s Library Series (#202) between 1900 and 1906. Your volume was published later in the run than the one shown here. It was deleted from the series as of 1907. It originally came jacketed.

Vic, The Autobiography of a Fox Terrier by Marie More Marsh was first published by Henry Altemus in non series form in 1895. (non-series title #139)

Both books are seen here. The non series book is the one that pictures the woman and Vic on the cover.

Yuletide Series

Q:  I found this book in a box that was in a barn that we were cleaning out can you tell me if it's worth anything. A Christmas Carol

A:  Your book is part of the eight title Yuletide Series. These limp velvet calf covered books are all reprints and were published in a labeled box between 1912 and 1918.

They generally sell for between $10-20 in nice shape.

Yuletide Series

Q:  What can you tell me about this book? A Christmas Carol

A:  This book is part of the Yuletide Series.

This series of eight titles all were published in limp velvet calf between 1912 and 1916.

All of the books originally came within a labeled box.

Yuletide Series

Q:  To Whom it may concern,

I have a very old Henry Altemus publication of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.
It was given to me by my 92 year old Mother. She received it from hers who was 101 when she died.
I don't think for a moment that the signature is authentic but I would like to know more about it. I have attached some photos of this book for you to peruse. I hope you may be able to shed some light on it's history.

A:  This book is part of the Yuletide Series which was published between 1912 and 1916. See ../series/series203.htm

The books of this series originally came within a labeled box. Since Dickens died in 1870 the signature, as you guessed, the signature is not authentic.
Generally this book sells between $10-25.

Yuletide Series

Q:  Dear Henry Altemus company,
I am in possession of a book (A Christmas Carol) that I am selling for my church, I was wondering what the value range is? I have attached a picture; any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

A:  Your book belongs to the eight volume Yuletide Series. ../series/series203.htm

This series of suede cover books can be found in green or red. Originally the books which were published between 1912 and 1916 came in a labeled box.

As is clear from the title, most of the books have a Christmas theme. They are relatively common and generally sell for about $10.

Since it is now the holiday season bidders may not be very logical and bid it up for more than it is worth. This is a great time to sell this book.

Non Series #112 Poor Boys' Chances

Q:  Hello, In my possession I have a first edition, first impression of the John Habberton book, Poor Boys' Chances. I’ve had it in my possession for 21 years, or all of my life. The book's binding is now in poor condition, but it still has great value to me. I wanted to find out more about the printing and number of copies published. Do you have this information? The site has a very small amount of info about it, but was still interesting. John Habberton is not credited on Wikipedia and other sites for writing this book, so I assumed it was published in very limited quantities. It has been a source of great inspiration to me. Thank you for any information you can offer.

A:  Below is the section on this book and its author. I hope you find it helpful.
Non Series #112 Poor Boys' Chances

Non Series #64 Grimm's Fairy Tales

Q:  I believe that this book was published in 1888 w/Grimm's Goblins. Inside are ten beautiful illustrations. There is an introduction by John Ruskin but no publication date, etc.

It is in excellent condition. Can you give me the estimated value of this book?

A:  Your book was published in 1918. Henry Altemus Co - Non Series #64

Without the dust jacket, even in nice condition, it is worth less than $20.

Shown here is the other 1918 format.

Saalfield Reprint

Q:  I also was wondering how can you tell it's a reprint, it just seems so old, would you know when it was reprinted, I can't find a year or date on the book anywhere. The Pony Rider Boys in New England. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dust jacket, I'll have to check, and if I do find the dust jacket how much is it valued. Thanks so much for your help. I'm clueless to how this works, just trying to learn. Thanks.

A:  Your book was published by Saalfield. That company did reprints of the earlier Altemus published editions. All the Saalfield reprints had dust jackets. This reprint was published in 1935 or later.

For more about the Saalfield reprints see http://henryaltemus.com/reprints/saalfield.html

Two Saalfield jackets have been seen for this series.