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.

Children's Gift Series

Q:  I looked on your website to see what book I have and the front cover is not the same of any other Robinson Crusoe cover you show on your website. Just wondering how I can find out more about the book I got through my family. See attached image of book cover. Each page has a fancy light blue border with black printed font.

A:  I believe the book picture you have sent is exactly like the one here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series64.htm.

This series of ten books all originally came with dust jackets and in nice condition are very collectible.

Children's Gift Series

Q:  Howdy,
I just found an old Altemus book: Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. It's got a different cover from the ones I could find on your website and doesn't seem to be part of a "young people's library" based on the lack of spine decoration. It's dated 1897, but obviously might not be from that early. It has four color plates and numerous Tenniel illustrations. (Color do not seem to be Tenniel.) No Tweedle Dee and Dum on the cover - rather it's the queens and Alice.

Any idea what series this is from? Or what year it was published?

A:  What applies to Alice applies to Through the Looking Glass. This answer was given as a response previously.

False description of Alice in Wonderland book on Ebay

I received two questions about a particular book up for auction on Ebay. The price was going through the roof but the description of the book was totally inaccurate.

Regarding Alice in Wonderland 1897 'rare' edition

That is the sale I am interested in, and rather relieved to hear you say that it is not all it is cracked up to be. I'm just beginning my foray into antique books, having purchased a few as gifts for friends and such, I've become quite fond of collectors items. You mentioned certain statements in the description that were inaccurate, and I was curious as to what these are. I am tremendously interested in eventually getting my hands on a copy of Alice in Wonderland but, as you have pointed out, there are a lot of people out there willing to pay far too much, and I'd rather learn it before burning 2-3 times the value of the book. Any information you can provide is deeply appreciated.

I became the highest bidder and came across your review on a site with a reference to your email to explain further some incorrections in the description? please elaborate for me as i do not want any ill bidding or buyers remorse and would appreciate your expertise.

A: First. Since Henry Altemus incorporated in 1900 to become Henry Altemus Company, any book with the imprint Henry Altemus Company has to be published in 1900 or later. You will see on one of the pictures that this is the case.

The copyright of this book comes from an 1897 edition that Altemus did publish. Altemus published this title in a myriad of formats-most all were actually published prior to this edition.

Go to my website-henryaltemus.com and put Alice in the Title Search to see all of the many formats.

This book is part of either Series #64 or #200 (they are the same series except for a name change). See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series200.htm and http://henryaltemus.com/series/series64.htm.
These books were published between 1912 and 1920.

This book is not the "rare" Altemus first edition although I have to say that even if it were, it would not command this type of money.

The first Altemus editions actually were published in 1895. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm

This book (or one just like it) had been on Ebay for several years. The description at that time was very similar to this description. Whether this is the same seller or someone just using that description is unclear to me.

I certainly do not know everything but I have studied Altemus and its books for many years and maintain the website about Altemus.

I wrote an article last year about the Altemus "Alices" for the Lewis Carroll newsletter.

This is a nice book but its description is incorrect. In my opinion it is not worth near the present bid price. But I guess if a buyer pays this kind of money, it is worth the price to him/her.

Children's Gift Series

Q:  False description of Alice in Wonderland book on Ebay

I received two questions about a particular book up for auction on Ebay. The price was going through the roof but the description of the book was totally inaccurate.

Regarding Alice in Wonderland 1897 'rare' edition

That is the sale I am interested in, and rather relieved to hear you say that it is not all it is cracked up to be. I'm just beginning my foray into antique books, having purchased a few as gifts for friends and such, I've become quite fond of collectors items. You mentioned certain statements in the description that were inaccurate, and I was curious as to what these are. I am tremendously interested in eventually getting my hands on a copy of Alice in Wonderland but, as you have pointed out, there are a lot of people out there willing to pay far too much, and I'd rather learn it before burning 2-3 times the value of the book. Any information you can proivde is deeply appreciated.

I became the highest bidder and came across ur review on a site with a reference to your email to explain further some incorrections in the description? please elaborate for me as i do not want any ill bidding or buyers remorse and would appreciate your expertise.

A:  First. Since Henry Altemus incorporated in 1900 to become Henry Altemus Company, any book with the imprint Henry Altemus Company has to be published in 1900 or later. You will see on one of the pictures that this is the case.

The copyright of this book comes from an 1897 edition that Altemus did publish. Altemus published this title in a myriad of formats-most all were actually published prior to this edition.

Go to my website-henryaltemus.com and put Alice in the index to see all of the many formats.

This book is part of either Series #64 or #200 (they are the same series except for a name change).
See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series200.htm and http://henryaltemus.com/series/series64.htm.

These books were published between 1912 and 1920.

This book is not the "rare" Altemus first edition although I have to say that even if it were, it would not command this type of money.

The first Altemus editions actually were published in 1895. See http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F1.htm

This book (or one just like it) had been on Ebay for several years. The description at that time was very similar to this description. Whether this is the same seller or someone just using that description is unclear to me.

I certainly do not know everything but I have studied Altemus and its books for many years and maintain the website about Altemus.
I wrote an article last year about the Altemus "Alices" for the Lewis Carroll newsletter.

This is a nice book but its description is incorrect. In my opinion it is not worth near the present bid price. But I guess if a buyer pays this kind of money, it is worth the price to him/her.

Christmas Gift Series

Q:  I am writing to you to ask for your assistance in a book.
I have this book by Holmes and can find it nowhere on your website. I am looking for an approximate value. I have attached a picture of the front and side of the book. All of the pages inside are in excellent condition. It really looks great on the inside. The outside has some stains. I would appreciate any information you may be able to provide.

A:  Your book is part of a series which has not been uploaded onto the website as of yet.

The series is the Christmas Gift Series and was published in about 1907. The books originally came in a labeled florally decorated box. I have seen books colored pink, brown and light green. Initially within the box there was an attached piece of holly on the front cover. See below.

All of the books of this series are reprints and so to sell one for more than nominal dollars ($5-10) you need to find someone who specifically collects that title or author or someone like me who collects anything that Altemus published.

With many Altemus books that have no major collector interest, people list on Ebay with a starting price of $4.99 or 9.99 and see what happens.

Pictured here is the front cover of the box.

Classics Series

Q:  I am hoping that you can help. I have attached pictures of a book (Evangeline) that was left to me by my mother. It has a handwritten message inside from my grandmother to my mother for Christmas 1909. The book is 148 pages. I'm trying to find out what year it was published. I got lost on your awesome website.

A:  Your book is part of the Classics Series. See http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series69.htm

I would date it in the 1907-1911 range.

It originally came in a box which you can see an example of on the series site.

Classics Series

Q:  Can you tell me the printing date for this book by Charles Dickens? The Cricket On The Hearth. PIC. Attached. I would also like to know if this is a common book or if I should store it for safe keeping.

A:  Your book can be found here: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series69.htm. The 76 books of this series are all reprints.

Without the dust jacket I can only estimate the book's printing to be between 1907-1915.

It is relatively common and has very little value.

Classics Series

Q:  Greetings! I have a book from the Altemus Classics Series, A Child's Garden of Verses. It has a different cover on it than the ones you have pictured on your website. I have attached it and am wondering if you have an approximate date of the book.

A:  I do not have the Classics Series books shown as of yet on the website. This series was first published in 1907 with the name changed to the Slip-in-the-Pocket Classics Series in 1909. The series had three different formats of which yours is the first. Your book was deleted from the series in 1913. In order to distinguish if your book was part of the Classics or the Slip-in-the-Pocket Classics Series you would need the dust jacket which states the series name on the front. I am including a couple of pics to show you what I mean.

Classics Series

Q:  I am not a bibliophile but I've come into possession of 15 copies from the Altemus Classics Series. They measure 5 1/2 x 4 1/4, green covers with gold colored embossed cover designs with floral and vines. The only dating I can find is in The Man Without A Country of which there are two copies in the collection. The dating is: Copyright, 1908, by Howard E. Altemus Published June, 1908.

I found your website but can't find any reference to this series of books which has been handed down to me from my father. I'd be interested in finding more information about these little books -- can you help me find a resource? I thank you in advance for taking time with this for me.

A:  The website is only for new information not in the book. Thus, the Classics Series (Series #69) is not on the website.

The Classics Series was first published in 1907 and was in print until 1921. There were a total of 76 books in the series but in certain years particular books were added or deleted to the list such that only in a few years of publication was the entire list actually done. The name of the series was changed in 1909 to the Slip-in-the-Pocket Series (Series #166) presumably because the size of the books was perfect to slip in the pocket. Only the jackets (which all of these books had originally) ever had the name Slip-in-the-Pocket however.

There are 4 different formats. Most of the books are dark green but the soft leather book has been seen in brown. The format you have is the most common.

I hope that this is helpful. The complete listing with additional information about this series is in the bibliography.

Dainty Series

Q:  Dear experts, here is some pics.of a book young robin hood. copy right.1900 can you tell me anything more concerning this book?

A:  Your book is part of the Dainty Series.You can find out more about it here: http://www.henryaltemus.com/series/series74.htm

It is part of the last format (5) of this series published at the end of its print run in around 1908-1909. It originally had a dust jacket.

It has only nominal value.

Dainty Series

Q:  I would like to get some history on the book “The Children’s Shakespeare by Edith Nesbit, published by Henry Altemus Company, Copyright,1900. My wife and I just found this book in an old antique chest that use to belong to her Grandmother. I attached a couple .jpgs (cover and title page) for you to look at.

A:  Your book is part of the Dainty Series. A review of this series can be seen at http://henryaltemus.com/series/series74.htm. As you can see your book is a later reprint. Originally it had a dust jacket.