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.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I was wondering if you could give me some information on this particular book of poems by Edgar Allan Poe.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1902. It originally came with a labeled box. This title is a reprint and was published in numerous formats by Altemus and other publishers of the era. It has minimal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I was trying to do some investigating about a book that I was given by my mother in 1968. It was given to her by a school teacher for Christmas in 1932. The book is Black Beauty. There is no copyright date other than by a photo inside that shows a date under the picture of a man and a black horse. That says Copyright 1899, by Henry Altemus. The cover is light blue with gold & burgandy flowers on the cover. The spine of the book is also decorated with the same gold & burgandy colors. The book measures 6.75" x 4.5". Attached is a photo that may help you help me. If this can be identified, do you also know the value. Is this something that should be insured?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. It was published in 1900.

During this year the covers have been seen in many different colors. These books originally came within a labeled box.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Wondering value of this book (Walden). Condition is soiled, few pages curled and two sets of pages missed trim blade on bottom in the section listing publishers other work at back. more pic to follow.

A:  This book is part of the Vademecum Series. Each year the covers changed. This book's cover is from 1905-1906. During this publication year the covers came with several different color covers and four different flowers pictured on the appliqués. Your book has the Nasturtium flowers. Other cover flowers are Orchid, Queen Anne's Lace and Iris. These books also came within a labeled box.

Because your book has a common title and is in poor shape, it will be a hard sell at any price.

Vademecum Series

Q:  This book (Song of Hiawatha) was given to me by my mother. Can you tell me when it was published, if its an original or reprint? And possibly a value on it? I can not find a date any where on it, seems to be in great shape other than what looks like a water drop on the front you can see in the picture. And some one wrote something on the first page and it was later blacked out with marker.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series. This series includes only reprinted titles.

The Vademecum books can be dated by their covers. Your book was published in 1915. It originally came within a labeled red box. An example is shown on the series page.

Because it is a reprint, it only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Please let me know when this book (In Black and White) was published.

Thank You Very Much.

A:  This book was published in 1900 as part of the Vademecum Series.

This is a publisher's series in which all of the titles are reprints and have little value.

During this year the cover picture of flowers was stereotypical but the color of the cover had a number of variations.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I've inherited a box of old books, including the attached copy of Emerson's Essays. I have been unable to find a similar cover on any of the rare/used book sites on the internet. I'm hoping you can help me to identify and date it. The gold artwork is embossed.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

A:  Your book was published in 1902 as part of the Vademecum Series.

It originally came in a labeled box. This title is a reprint and only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  I have had this book (Black Beauty) for about four years and it came from an estate. The handwritten inscription inside dates it as a 1903 Christmas present. Would you be able to verify when it was printed? If so, do you know it's current value?

A:  Your book was published in 1903 and is part of the Vademecum Series. All of the titles in this series are reprints.

In 1903 the books of the Vademecum Series had one of several colored covers with the same basic cover template. Any one of more than 40 paintings have been seen on the front cover.

../series/series180.htm

It only has nominal value.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Can you give me information and possibly the probable value of this book, A Christmas Carol? See attached photos.

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series, is a reprint and was published in 1904. See ../series/series180.htm.

During this year the front cover style came in a number of different colors. In addition, any one of four flower patterns have been seen on the paste-on (appliqué).

The books of this series originally came in a labeled box.

Because of its condition, you will be fortunate to sell it for more than a few dollars.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, I have this Black Beauty book that I can't find any information on. It has a black cover, possibly leather, and it doesn't have a date printed in it at all. It does say Henry Altemus Company, which I read means it was printed in 1900 or later. I don't really know anything else about it. Thank you for taking time to help me out!

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1902. It is a reprint and originally came in a labeled box.

For information about this series of books see ../series/series180.htm.

Most of the books of this series do not have significant value because the titles were reprinted so many times by so many publishers.

Vademecum Series

Q:  Hi, Can you tell me anything about this copy of Black Beauty?

A:  Your book is part of the Vademecum Series and was published in 1903. In 1903 the Vademecum books had the same cover template in a number of different colors. The appliqué (paste-on) is one of over 40 pictures that were used that year for the covers. Your cover is designated #43 on the site.

This book originally came with a labeled box. It is a reprint and has minimal value.

For more information see ../vademecum.htm and ../series/series180.htm.