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.

Non Series #124

Q:  I have the opportunity to buy a 1892 version of the scarlet letter. I know this was a very common print, I just want to make sure I am not missing out on an opportunity, this is a picture of the cover, I haven't seen this exact cover elsewhere on the web.... I would be greatly appreciative if you could give me a value as to what its worth.

A:  Altemus published the Scarlet Letter in numerous formats. In 1892 it published its non-series Scarlet Letter. The same cover style was printed in several different colors. Early in 1892 the Altemus Scarlet Letters did not include the 1850 "Preface to the Second Edition" which appeared in all the latter Altemus Scarlet Letter printings. Because this book is relatively common and a reprint, it has little value.

Non Series #121

Q:  I have had this copy of Robinson Crusoe in my possession for over 30 years. I am interested in selling the book, now that I am older. I have attached some pictures. The book is in ok condition. As you can see there was tape put on the cover. I just want a little history of the book and would also appreciate knowing its value, if any.

A:  There are three different Non-Series Robinson Crusoes that were published prior to 1900. All have Henry Altemus as their imprint.

In 1892 the first two were published. Your book was published between 1892 and 1896. This large book (9.5 x 7.5) has "extra fine English cloth with Emblematic designs". It had numerous black and white line drawn pictures (120) by Walter Paget. The earlier books of this format had gold gilt lettering on the cover whereas the later books had silver gilt lettering. Original cost was $3.00.

For more information see ../images/NS_121.htm.

Because of its condition, your book will be hard to sell at any price.

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

Non Series #54- The Fairy Tale Book

Q:  Hi! Thank you for your website and provided information. You have done an awsome job setting this up. I bought this book (The Fairy Tale Book) a while back in Long Island NY in an old bookshop. Unfortunately, it is not dated. What can you tell me about it? Thanks for any information.

A:  This book was first published by Altemus in 1917 and reprinted for a number of years thereafter. See ../images/NS_54.jpg

Every now and then one comes up for sale. Depending on condition, I have seen prices vary from "no sale" to about $35.

henryaltemus.com

Q:  I would appreciate your help with a book I have "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. The book measures 4 1/4 X 5 1/2. I am stumped because it does not have Henry Altemus Company embossed on the cover; as I have seen in all the examples on your website. The cover is green. Could this be part of Dickens Complete Works - a reprint. Thank you.

A:  The words "HenryAltemus.com" are not actually on the books. Those words are placed on the pictures of books that appear on the website so that people will know where the pictures came from.

Non Series #23

Q:  I have attached a picture of the Black Beauty book I have. Inside the book says copyright 1897 by Henry Altemus. I saw on the internet a discussion with someone else that has this book. Just wondered if you all came to any conclusion of a value on it?

A:  I believe that this book has only nominal value when it has no dust jacket. The dust jacket is pictured at ../images/NS_23.jpg

Non Series #3

Q:  Hello, I have attached a scan of the cover. I have tried to do some research on this version of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass but I have yet to come across this cover. It does say Henry Altemus Company on the inside so I can assume it is after 1900 but it looks different than the one published in the Little Men and Women Series #125. This book does not has a dust jacket and is in OK condition. I would really just like to learn a little more about this.

A:  This version of Alice/Through was not part of a series.

You can see a copy with its jacket here Non Series #3

This format is more uncommon than the Little Men and Women Series and the Young People's Library (#202) Series Alice's.

I believe it was published in the mid to late teens and then reprinted for a number of years thereafter.

Title pages

Q:  I have a Henry Altemus book, A Wonder Book, which on the title page has a date of 1842. I thought he didn't publish any works before 1890?

A:  Hello. The title page you are referring to was used in numerous books in the 1890's. It signifies the year Altemus & Co. became an official company. You will note that directly across from the 1842 are the initials HA. These initials stand for Henry Altemus. This date and initials are purely part of the decorative pattern and do not indicate the date that the book was published.

Altemus published many 100s of different Bibles in the 1880s. Also before 1890 it published photo albums and scrapbooks. The Dore Masterpieces were published initially in 1889. Books for reading were published for the first time in 1890.

Non Series

Q:  Hello.... I have a book titled Black Beauty by Ann Sewell and it has no publishing date on it. The book was given as a gift to someone Dec. 25 1921 and I wondered if you could tell me about how old it really is???? The book is in good shape and it has a young lady in a red hat on the horse. I would like to know when Black Beauty The Autobiography Of A Horse was printed by com.

A:  Black Beauty was published in more than 25 Altemus Series and more than 40 different formats between 1895 and 1933. The only book that is consistent with your description is a Black Beauty published as non series book. Black Beauty was published in three different non series versions. This one was first done in about 1920. The exact date of your book can only be determined by an examination of the ads in the book and on the dust jacket (if available). It was reprinted numerous times. A dust jacketed copy is shown here.