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.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Hi. Your website is great. I have a Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam from the Petit Trianon series, 1905-1906, with the red and gold floral on the right and the daffodil on the left. I am considering giving it as a gift but would like to have some idea of the value. Can you help?

A:  Hello,
Although it is a very nice book, it is somewhat common and the title is in no particular demand. Without the box it probably only has nominal value. It can be seen at ../series/series143.htm

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you tell me anything about this little book?

A:  Your book was published in 1901-1902 as part of the Petit Trianon Series. It original came in a labeled box.

See Series 143

The picture on the right of the cover was done by Alphonse Mucha, a well known Czech artist. It is called Poetry. See ../artists/artists-Mucha.htm

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you date this book for me?
Author Rowson, Mrs. Susanna (Haswell), 1762-1824
Title Charlotte Temple

A:  Your book was published as part of the Petit Trianon Series.

It was published in 1905-1906.

See Series 143

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you please tell me something about this book (Courtship of Miles Standish)?

A:  Your book can be found here with the 1907 books.

Series 143

It is part of the Petit Trianon Series. This publisher's series is made up of reprints of classics, poetry, fiction, etc.

This book originally came in a labeled box.

It only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I have attached pictures of a book I have called "Jessica's First Prayer and Jessica's Mother" by Henry Altemus Company with no date of publication anywhere. Any info you have on it would be appreciated.

A:  Your book can be found with the 1905-1906 books here: Petit Trianon Series

It originally came in a labeled box.

It is a reprint in the Petit Trianon publisher's series.

It only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Dear Expert: I have just found an old book, Black Beauty, and the publisher is Henry Altemus Company. I cannot find a publishing date and all pages appear to be intact with some damage to the cover and the binding. There is a notation on the front cover back of No. 49. Could you please enlighten me as to the date of publication. Should I spend money with a conservator to have it restored? My appreciation for your assistance in advance.

A:  Your book can be found here with the 1903-1904 books. Petit Trianon Series

Most of the books of the publisher's series are reprints and have only nominal value.

It would not be worth getting restored.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  Can you provide information on this book.

Evangeline and Other Poems

Henry Altemus Company

If you could provide value, that would be nice.

A:  Your book is part of the Petit Trianon Series.

During the years of this series' publication, the cover and to a lesser degree the titles were changed every year or two.

The "pedestal" books were published in 1903-1904. If you look at the pictures, you can see that this format came in suede, pink, blue, and beige.

The suede books are the least common in this format but because the books are all late reprints, they have little value.

You never know when someone just has to have a certain book so you never can be certain what price a book might bring. Generally speaking though, your book only has nominal value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I am attempting to date my pretty copy of Legends of the Province-House by Nathaniel Hawthorne. After looking at your site I am assuming 1899. Am I correct? Thank you for any information you might provide me!

A:  Well you are close on the date but not right. The actual date of publication is 1903-1904. You can see your book here: Series 143. It is part of the Petit Trianon Series that is an Altemus publisher's series of reprints. There were multiple different cover designs for this series. The key to dating it is the pattern on the left side of the cover. Note how your book's pattern matches the others in the 1903-1904 group. I suspect that a picture or copyright in your book says 1899. This indicates when Altemus first published this title not when your particular book was published.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I recently purchased a Henry Altemus book at a garage sale for 15 cents. After looking the book over I decided to research it on the publishers web site. The copyright page is dated for 1899 by Henry Altemus. Not publishing company. The book is the snow image by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I cannot find any other items in the book that refers it to a series. Is this considered an unknown book? Do you think the book has greater value? Thanks for your time.

A:  Actually that website on Altemus is mine. Your book can be found at Series 143. It is part of an Altemus publisher's series-The Petit Trianon Series. It was published in 1899. It has little collector value.

Petit Trianon Series

Q:  I can not find any information on this book and its cover. "Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Can you help?

A:  This book is part of Series #143 The Petit Trianon Series. Your book can be found here: Series 143

It is shown with the 1899 books. The key in identifying this book is the pattern on the left side of the cover. It is characteristic of the 1899 books in this series. There have been numerous right sided cover decorations. Thus far I have seen 24 different patterns. Incidentally, this format originally came in a labeled box.