Each sold at auction for thousands, and in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our time is considered one of the rare books for book collectors around the world. The gutenberg bible is probably the most valuable book or type of book in the world. Jan 23, 2012 the 10 most expensive books in the world. Jan 20, 2012 the 10 most expensive books in the world. Jan 26, 2017 most expensive and rare books in the world unique or extremely rare books part of humanity legacy which were sold for a great amount of money. The dates of composition of the books range from the 7thcentury quran leaf palimpsest and the early 8th century. The most valuable rare books in existence the telegraph. While far from the most expensive book on this list, beedle was the priciest book ever purchased that was written and published in the twentyfirst century.
If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold. Purchased by london dealer, simon finch rare books. Initially released as an edition of 2000 in 1865, these copies were soon recalled due to complaints from the books illustrator, john tenniel. When this book sold, it became the most expensive illuminated manuscript in the world.
Aug 28, 2018 among the valuable items they stole, according to the authorities. The works of william shakespeare are amongst the most influential in the world, continuing to have great precedence in western literature 400 years after his death in 1616. Johannes gutenberg developed the movable type printing press in the 1440s in fact, any printed book dating from 1500 or earlier is known as an incunabulum. We specialize in making it easier for you to get the books. The 10 most expensive books in the world flavorwire. The 10 most expensive books in the world the atlantic. Books are considered to be the biggest companion of those who want to explore the depth of knowledge and information at its best. These rare books cost thousands of dollars but heres where you can find them. Top 10 rare books howstuffworks entertainment howstuffworks. Also known as the stonyhurst gospel, this book is one of the most valuable religious books urizen in the world. It was printed in 1493 and only one copy survives of that printing. Most expensive ever sold books in the world top ten. Our friends at are definitely in the know when it comes to sought after books.
However, the rarity of original editions combined with shakespeares reputation make this one of the most valuable rare books in the world. Jul 22, 2017 this is a book by naturalist and painter john james audubon that includes a vast array of bird species, 6 of which have become extinct since the time of illustration. If youd like to know how much a gutenberg bible is worth, how many there are in the world and why it. Vast theft of antiquarian books sends a shudder through a. Johannes gutenberg, printed 1456, 180 copies known to exist. Sep 18, 2017 30 of the world s most valuable treasures that are still missing. The tales of beedle the bard was referenced in harry potter and the deathly hallows, and j. A look into the dwindling world of rare books fortune. Today, christies new york will auction off a copy of. A collection of childrens stories by british author j. First editions of books that made literary history, books signed by the world s most.
The rarest books in the world from the tale of peter rabbit to a collection of shakespeare plays, these are the rarest books in the world. This story about the worlds bestloved rabbit commands a hefty price tag. Or, you know, today plus 35 business days for shipping. May 10, 2017 the most valuable rare books in existence. The 20 most expensive comic books in the world 2020.
The wonderful story of a wonderful wooden dog who was the jolliest toy in the house until he went out to explore the world. Most expensive and rare books in the world unique or extremely rare books part of humanity legacy which were sold for a great amount of money. First editions and signed copies are the two cornerstones of the rare book business. Deemed as the most enduring work in english literature, the remaining copies are the some of most soughtafter books among book collectors around the globe. Due to its very limited numbers, in our time is considered one of the rare books for book collectors around the world. John or also sometimes called the stonyhurst gospel. Books can sell for millions of dollars, but only if they are rare. The works of william shakespeare are amongst the most influential in the world, continuing to have great precedence in western literature 400. By owen jarus live science contributor 18 september 2017.
We have thousands of rare and antique treasures brought to you by our network of trusted sellers from all around the world. Here within are found books rare and ancient, starting with the earliest printed works encompassing incunabula, 15th century. Here is the list of top 10 most expensive books in the world 2018. The most expensive books in the world readers digest. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with bring me. There are four versions of the scream, and this one is a lot less valuable than the. The following are top 10 most expensive books ever sold in the world. Use the search box above to find fond treasures from your childhood or that one book that has escaped your collection thus far. Many early comic books from the golden age are now considered rare and valuable since very few complete copies exist. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a. In fact, these are some of the most expensive ever sold.
Look out for first editions, a full set of volumes, or titles that were manufactured as a oneoff, as these tend to be the most valuable. Well, wait no longer, heres a list of the 20 most expensive comic books in the world. Top 10 most expensive rare books sold one can ask himself what makes a particular book an expensive one. In what is possibly not a surprise, the most expensive rare book ever sold is a religious book, and interestingly, it was bought by the religious body, the church of latterday saints, the church this book. Jan 16, 2007 in an evermore digitized world, the printed word takes on special valueespecially if it happens to be enshrined in a rare, beautiful and historically significant book. In the world of book collecting, old means very, very old. Some book lovers are willing to pay millions even on the books.
Mostly the books on the biography of famous personalities are very expensive in the world and not affordable for everyone. Alibris is one of the premier rare and outofprint book sites on the internet. Top 10 worlds most expensive rare books justcollecting. The answer is a little complicated and depends on your definition of what constitutes a book. Find out what bigspending collectors are purchasing through the online marketplace. The most expensive book in the world and 7 bonuses.
His first folio is so rare because it is the first authoritative collection of his plays, compiled by his friends and business partners who helped run his theatre company. The worlds most valuable childrens books do you have one. Other books featured multiple times on the list are the gutenberg bible, the first folio of shakespeare s plays and the north american indian with four separate copies. Johannes gutenberg developed the movable type printing press in the 1440s in fact, any printed book dating from 1500 or earlier is known as an incunabulum, and is virtually guaranteed to be rare and valuable. Mar 22, 2018 most of the books on the below list dont get anywhere near the most expensive books ever soldbut unlike any of those, the books below could be yours today.
In 1455 johannes gutenberg built the world s first moveable type printing press. First editions of wellloved books can become the most prized in literature. Abebooks most expensive sales abebooks periodically publishes a list of the most stunning books recently sold. The most valuable rare books in existence books telegraph. This is a list of literary works including novels, plays, series, collections of poems or short stories, and essays and other forms of literary nonfiction sorted by the number of languages they have been. Dec, 2004 old books from the new world while anything printed in the united states is of comparatively recent vintage, that hasnt prevented demand for rare american works from going through the roof, too. List of literary works by number of translations wikipedia. Over 75 of the world s most celebrated, controversial, rare, and seminal books are examined and explained in this stunning treasury. The most expensive books in the world are the works of seminal masters whose legacies are all but impossible to ignore. These lists provide a remarkable insight in the world of rare book collecting and reveal what the big spenders are adding to their libraries. Most of the books on the below list dont get anywhere near the most expensive books ever soldbut unlike any of those, the books below could be yours today. Explore unique, collectible and unusual items from the finest booksellers in the world.
The top 10 most expensive rare books sold on abebooks this. Old books from the new world while anything printed in the united states is of comparatively recent vintage, that hasnt prevented demand for rare american works from going. Rumour has it that there are only 11 copies of the book. Books once illuminated manuscripts reserved for the wealthy were suddenly available to all and the spread of knowledge this created changed the world. The 20 most valuable books you might have at home daily. Abebooks periodically publishes a list of the most stunning books recently sold. If youd have bought this book when it was new it would have cost you 1s 2d thats about 14p in todays money. Visit howstuffworks to learn the top 10 rare books.
Henry the lion was the duke of saxony from 1142 to 1180 saxony, in case you were. Its over 100 years old and was one of the first books in potters childrens book range. Top 50 rare and valuable books the following books are considered by many collectors to be the most rare and valuable. Most expensive and rare books in the world youtube. There are still several copies floating around, usually on rare book websites, where they sell for several thousands of dollars. These are some of the worlds most expensive books ceoworld. A new set, dated 1866 were released in their place. When you look at every other book that is oneofakind, and you factor in how sought after this one is, its safe to say that codex leicester is the most rarest book in the world. Dec 21, 2017 the seasonal crush creates a festive phenomenon, a category of rare books that collectors seek like mad for one part of the year, then ignore for the next eleven months. Rowling went on to hand write and illustrate seven copies of this beautiful leather bound rarity. Rumour has it that there are only 11 copies of the book remaining, one of which. May 24, 2019 this is the most recent of all the rare books featured on this list.
The rarest books in the world are highly sought after by collectors because theyre. Paul allen, the cofounder of microsoft and evidently an avid reader, spent 5. Traite des arbres fruiiers treatise on fruit trees. List of most expensive books and manuscripts wikipedia. Cuthbert gospel is an early 8thcentury pocket gospel book which is written in latin. We know what youre thinking wouldnt the price make book of mormon the most expensive book in the world. Turn the pages of the most famous books of all time and marvel at the stories behind them. Since then, the comic book industry has not slowed down and comic book collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Affordable alternative marjory williams also wrote a book with a very long title called poor cecco. Only just beating out the birds in this list of expensive books is a lion. It could be a recordbreaking afternoon in the book world. Cuthbert gospel is one of the most valuable religious books in the world and it is also known as the st.
This is a book by naturalist and painter john james audubon that includes a vast array of bird species, 6 of which have become extinct since the time of illustration. Today, christies new york will auction off a copy of john james audubons birds of america, which already holds the title of most valuable printed book in the world, having sold for about. Top 10 most expensive rare books sold topteny magazine. This is a list of printed books, manuscripts, letters, music scores, comic books, maps and other. Rare books for sale, buy antique books from alibris. The first folio is widely sought after by book collectors the world over. This list contains some of the rarest and most important comic books. Through their powerful search engine, they keep track of what titles are in demand, compiling a comprehensive look at the outofprint titles most searched for.
Remarkable books is a unique encyclopedia spanning the history of the written word, from 3000 bce to the modern day. There are countless rare books in the world, but by most experts standards the rarest of them all is the gutenberg bible. As well as being one of the most expensive paintings in the word, the scream is also one of the most famous and iconic. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold mine.
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