It’s not easy being a bibliophile. Imagine you are at a bookstore, and you stumble upon a rare book. It’s like finding a diamond in the rough. The book indeed could come at the price of a 4-carat diamond. You are holding one of the world’s most expensive books ever. It’s that same feeling Gollum experienced when he first laid eyes on the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings—a singular obsession that eclipsed the entire book.
Similarly, a single volume of an old leather-bound book with slightly yellowed pages could cover the cost of a luxury car or a vacation home. Many of these books are available for purchase on the internet if you are a Richie Rich. A quick search and, voila! You can find yourself bidding on a rare first edition or even the manuscript of a historic work.
Even if you aren’t from the ultra-wealthy, you could take a look at these books that are worth a lot of money and giggle at the absurdity of these prices. Prepare yourself to be stunned, amazed, and possibly a little jealous of those who could afford them. As a hardcore bibliomaniac, I, for one, am.
Why Are Some Books So Expensive?
There are many most wanted rare books that are priced exorbitantly. But why are they so expensive? Let’s explore the key reasons behind such high price tags:
- 1st edition books and early prints: 1st edition books and early prints are always highly priced because of the authenticity in the printing. For example, the early prints of Don Quixote go on sale for somewhere between $414,000 to $621,000. Some more vintage books that are worth millions include The Birds of America and The Bay Psalm Book.
- Debuts of famous authors: There are many authors who weren’t famous during their lifetime but went on to shatter the glass ceiling posthumously. Their rare and limited edition books are some of the most valuable books to collect. For instance, writers like Franz Kafka, Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath, and John Keats did not gain widespread recognition when they were alive
- Author and signature: A book holds immense value if it has the author’s original signature. The autograph not only enhances the book’s authenticity but also adds more financial worth. The book becomes an artefact which now carries a historical significance
25 Of The World’s Most Expensive Books — And Why They Are Priced So High
Books are rare treasures that hold infinite stories. But some books, due to their rarity, age, and historical significance are priced so high that they seem like a museum artefact. Even if the price tag is steep and it feels like a dream to own a rare book, you can still read about them and gain some useful insights. Here are 25 of the world’s most expensive books and the reasons why they cost an arm and a leg at auctions and bookstores:
1. The Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci (Manuscript, Sold)
Price: $30.8 million
This is, hands down, the most expensive book ever sold. It’s not just a book. It’s a window into the genius mind of Leonardo da Vinci, the man behind the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. However, the book doesn’t contain his masterpiece paintings.
The manuscript has all his scientific findings, writings, diagrams, and sketches. It has 72 pages with topics ranging from astronomy, the movement of light, the structure of the Earth, and the nature of the cosmos. This rare manuscript was purchased by Bill Gates in 1994.
The Gospels of Henry the Lion by the Duke of Saxony (Manuscript, Preserved)
Price: $30 million
Created in the late 12th century, this illuminated manuscript belongs to the category of Romanesque art and is a surviving example of medieval gospel books. This is the most expensive book ever written.
It was commissioned by Henry the Lion, the Duke of Saxony. The book reflects his immense wealth and it contains the four gospels of Christianity’s New Testament. It is preserved in near-mint condition in a library in Germany.
3. The Birds of America by John James Audubon (On display)
Price: $13.8 million
Why is Birds of America so expensive? Published between 1827 and 1838, it is the most expensive book written by an American. This monumental book is on permanent display in Trinity College. Written by John James Audubon, the book features 435 life-sized, hand-colored prints of North American birds. This is a remarkable feat in ornithology, and it has four volumes.
4. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $75,000
Charles Dickens is my personal favorite author and has also written a rare book called A Christmas Carol. It is loved and wanted by book collectors owing to the book’s unique themes. It is a heartwarming story that has become synonymous with Christmas.
The book talks about kindness, generosity, and redemption, which can resonate with readers of every generation. There are some editions with Dickens’ signature which are priced higher than this one.
5. Ulysses by James Joyce (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $300,000
Ulysses, published in 1922, is regarded as a part of the greatest writings in modernist literature. This groundbreaking novel is inspired by Homer’s Odyssey. The events in this book take place in one day in the city of Dublin.
Owing to its literary contributions and achievements, Ulysses’ first edition copies belong to the books that are a collector’s pride. Plus, the first edition was printed with just limited copies. Hence, the book’s first edition value is higher than other books from that era.
6. Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies by William Shakespeare (The First Folio, Sold)
Price: $10 million
William Shakespeare is the greatest playwright of all time. A key reason the First Folio holds such value is that it represents the earliest efforts to preserve the Bard of Avon’s complete body of work for future generations.
The book is titled Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies, and it contains 36 of Shakespeare’s plays. was purchased by Stephen Loewentheil, an American Antiquarian and a rare book and photograph collector.
7. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (First Edition, Sold)
Price: $7.5 million
Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales was first published in 1477. It is considered the first major work written in Middle English and is a cornerstone of medieval English literature.
Only 12 copies were printed out of which one was sold in London for a record price of 4.6 million pounds ($7.5 million) to the billionaire philanthropist Sir Paul Getty.
8. The Book of Mormon (Printer’s Manuscript, Sold)
Price: $35 million
The Book of Mormon is a foundational religious text of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was first published in 1830 by Joseph Smith.
This manuscript contains nearly all of the original text of the Book of Mormon and it played a crucial role in bringing this sacred text to life. In 2017, the LDS church purchased it for $35 million.
9. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling (Book sold at auction in 2007)
Price: $3 million
This book comes from the writer of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, my most favorite author. Someone whom I’ve looked up to and dream of meeting one day. She handwrote and illustrated seven copies of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a story about a king who wants to keep all the magic to himself.
This book is among the world’s most wanted rare books and she gave six to the ones who were closely associated with Harry Potter. The seventh one was auctioned and it was sold for $3 million. It was purchased by Amazon and the money was donated to a charity campaign.
10. Poems by William Shakespeare (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $275,000
This edition contains all the sonnets including the famous ones lime Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece. Just 8 of his sonnets are missing in this collection out of which some aren’t believed to be written by Shakespeare.
This first edition is a reminder of Shakespeare’s poetic genius, and it remains a valuable and iconic work in the world of rare books.
11. Omnia Opera by Plato (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $137,500
Published in the year 1513, Omnia Opera by the famous printer Aldus Manutius in Venice. It contains the complete works of Plato in its original language, Latin. This edition of Omnia Opera is considered an important early printed work in Western philosophy.
For book collectors and hoarders, this book is a treasure trove. It’s a priceless piece of artefact that preserves the mind of one of history’s greatest minds.
12. In Our Time by Ernest Hemingway (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $277,000
Ernest Hemingway is known for his short and clear sentences. He belongs to the modernist era of American literature during the 20th century.
In Our Time contains a collection of short stories reflecting the years before, during, and after World War I. The first edition book was sold last year but nobody knows who the buyer is.
13. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $975,000
The Great Gatsby is considered Fitzgerald’s finest work and a literary masterpiece. It was published in 1952 and has his signature. 5 movies are based on this book. Yes, five. That’s how much the book is loved by the audience.
14. Jacob’s Room by Virginia Woolf (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $330,000
Virginia Woolf is yet another author belonging to the modern literature era. Published by Hogarth Press, this is the first edition of Virginia Woolf’s first full-length novel.
Only 1,200 copies were printed and it comes with the very rare original dust jacket which was designed by Woolf’s sister, Vanessa Bell. After this, Vanessa Bell went on to design many dust jackets for the Hogarth Press.
15. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $61,949
An early representation of feminism can be found in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Jane, the main character, is a strong, independent woman.
She submitted this book under the pen name Currer Bell. The book was way ahead of its time as it talks about gender roles, equality, and self-respect.
16. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $225,000
The cornerstone of Economics, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, was first published in 1776. It contains 576 pages and offers an explanation of what constitutes a nation’s wealth.
First editions of this work are quite rare and if it is particularly in good condition, it is even more expensive. You can purchase this book online or look for book auctions where they are auctioning this book.
17. Poetical Sketches by William Blake (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $92,000
William Blake’s Poetical Sketches contains a mix of his poetry and original illustrations. Most of the poems reflect the poet’s love for nature.
It was written between 1769 and 1777, and only 40 copies were printed. Every single copy was hand-stitched with a grey back and a blue cover.
18. The Rothschild Prayerbook (Sold)
Price: $13.6 million
You probably live under a rock if you don’t know who the Rothschilds are. They are perhaps the wealthiest family of all time. They have a multigenerational banking empire, and there are many theories that suggest they are the ones who secretly run the world. It’s like their family has been rich for all time.
The Rothschild Prayerbook was part of the private collection of the Rothschild family for many years. It was sold at auction in 1999 for a record-breaking price of $13.6 million. It was purchased by Australian businessman Kerry Stokes in 2014, and it is included in the list of the most expensive books ever sold.
19. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (First Edition, Sold)
Price: $305,000
Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass contains 12 poems. It falls into the category of classic and modern books. The poems talk about individuality, society, and democracy. It was purchased by Christie’s in New York.
20. The Hours of Jeanne d’Evreux by Jean Pucelle (Manuscript, Preserved)
Price: Priceless
The Hours of Jeanne d’Evreux is a work of great artistry. It is a famous illuminated historic manuscript created in the early 14th century for Jeanne d’Evreux, the Queen of France.
It is a prayer book full of Gothic illustrations and religious texts. It consists of 700 illustrations that depict the bishops, beggars, street dancers, maidens, rabbits, dogs, fantasy creatures, and musicians that filled the streets of medieval Paris.
21. The Diamond Sutra by China’s Tang Dynasty (First Edition, Preserved)
Price: Priceless
The Diamond Sutra is the oldest dated printed book to ever exist. It was printed in 868 CE and it is regarded as an important scripture in Mahayana Buddhism.
The book remained hidden for at least a thousand years and was only discovered in 1907. It is preserved in the British Library, and it is one of the priceless books to ever exist.
22. Das Kapital by Karl Marx (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $131,000
Karl Marx was a German philosopher and sociologist. He is well-known for co-authoring the Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital.
Das Kapital was first published in 1867, and it talks about how a capitalist society functions. It is not an easy book to read. He uses theoretical language, abstract concepts, and historical contexts to talk about capitalism and economics, which may seem difficult and challenging to comprehend even for an avid reader.
23. The St.Cuthbert Gospel (Manuscript, Sold)
Price: $14 million
A pocket-sized Latin book which dates back to the 7th century, The St. Cuthbert Gospel is another one of the earliest surviving books of Christianity. The British Library purchased this tiny manuscript for a whopping $14 million.
The manuscript is on display at the British Library, and it is named after St. Cuthbert, an Anglo-Saxon bishop and hermit. What adds to the enigma of this book is that it is believed to have been buried with him in his coffin when he died in 687 AD.
24. The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $173,153
The first editions of The Lord of the Rings came with beautifully designed dust jackets. This epic novel could easily be the most famous fantasy book ever written. The tales of hobbits, elves, orcs, and wizards quickly rose to fame. Its rich world building, profound themes, and unforgettable characters like Frodo and Bilbo Baggins make this book a highly sought-after one.
The first edition contains maps and illustrations by Tolkien himself. Less than 7,000 first edition copies were printed and that’s why today they are priced so high.
25. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (First Edition, Available for purchase)
Price: $15,000
Agatha Christie is known as the queen of mystery writing. It’s the first of the 33 Hercule Poirot novels, her most famous character, a moustached detective who always wears a black homburg hat. This is perhaps the most expensive book on Amazon.
The book was first published in 1920, her debut novel, which is also the beginning of her successful and enduring detective series in literary history.
Conclusion
From ancient manuscripts to religious books and fictional novels, these are some of the world’s most expensive books to ever exist. Irrespective of whether you have the money to add some of these books to your personal collection or not, these books remind us that the written word is not only a source of wisdom but, apparently, a very, very expensive hobby.
FAQs
There are many factors that contribute to the expensive nature of a book. Some of the factors include rarity, condition, author, and the book’s historical significance. Plus, the value of the book is doubled if it’s a first edition or a signed copy.
Yes. Old books can be of worth if it’s an early edition book or if the book was written by someone very famous. For example, a 19th-century novel in poor condition might not fetch much, but a well-maintained first edition of a major literary work could be worth a fortune.
Check the edition and printing of the book to find out if it is valuable. Plus, the condition of the book matters a lot. If the book is tattered, it is not of much value. However, if you want to be sure of a book’s worth, you can consult with auction houses.
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