There are allegedly only 118 of this book in the world and reportedly only 10 that are privately owned and not in place in museums or historical collections. The bay psalm book is probably best known for being the first printed book in british north america and it was first printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts. Released in 1944, shop keepers decided not to stock it, due to its offensive cover, which featured a woman about to be attacked by hooded assailants bearing swastikas. It includes 874 diamonds, a total of 201 carats of the precious gemstones, making it an incredibly rare and very expensive timepiece. These lists provide a remarkable insight in the world of rare book collecting and reveal what the big spenders are adding to their libraries. Jun 08, 2011 the most expensive rare book by the bookworm on june 8, 2011 market analysis towards the end of last year, 66year old british book dealer michael tollemache, spent 11. These lists provide a remarkable insight in the world of rare book collecting and. Apr 21, 2019 currently, the most expensive original printings available on socalled retail shelves are taschens leibovitz monograph and goat, a muhammad ali photobook. Below are the worlds 10 most expensive books ever sold. This is the rarest and most expensive book ever sold at auction. The prices that such books can bring are staggering and you may be surprised to learn how much book enthusiasts were willing to pay at auction for the worlds most expensive books ever sold. Find out what bigspending collectors are purchasing through the online marketplace.
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. This rare example is a timepiece that was created by the chopard watchmakers. When it was sold in november 20, it broke the records as the most expensive american book ever. Most would never go through the trouble to obtain original copies, especially. This was the most expensive book ever sold when it. 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. Yes, some people have spent such a huge amount just for a single book. Can you think of any book that can be sold in millions of dollars. Most expensive items sold at auction in the past decade insider. There were only 200 copies of it printed on july 4th, 1776, and only about 26 copies survive to this day. So lets have a look at the most expensive books that have been sold all around the world.
Storia naturale degli uccelli trattata con metodo e adornata di figure intagliate in rame e miniate al naturale. Americas biggest rare book sale to date goes to a copy of poes very first book. Most expensive items sold at auction in the past decade. Jerry garcias first of two axes on the most expensive guitar list, built by doug irwin, wolf named for its distinctive artworkwas initially sold at the same auction as another guitar of his, tiger, selling for. Apr 26, 20 americas biggest rare book sale to date goes to a copy of poes very first book. Abebooks most expensive sales of 2016 shop for books. The first appearance of the dark knight from 1939, created by bob kane and bill finger, is a book all comic book lovers would want to own. A first edition of tamerlane and other poems, a book that poe claimed he wrote just before he turned 14, sold at. The ongoing comic book series was created by stan lee and jack kirby in 1962. The king edward viii stamp is very expensive because of the fact that it was never officially released.
I totally need the copy of the the wonderful wizard of oz in my life. The book was printed in a total of 750 copies and back in the days it was sold for something between 15 shillings and one pound when it came out. Over the last 31 years, governments, billionaires and private collectors have repeatedly trumped auctions prices for rare manuscripts. Cuthbert gospel is an early 8thcentury pocket gospel book which is written in latin. The most expensive items ever sold through sothebys. The camera was a leica 35mm film model, which was one of only 25 produced in 1923 for testing. The wonderful story of a wonderful wooden dog who was the jolliest toy in the house until he went out to explore the world.
How much are you willing to spend on the first edition of a book. Abebooks most expensive sales abebooks periodically publishes a list of the most stunning books recently sold. A splendid association copy from the library of major roger alden. The top 10 most expensive rare books sold on abebooks this.
If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold. A first edition of tamerlane and other poems, a book that poe claimed he. The most expensive books in the world readers digest. They say you cant put a price on a good book, but these works proved that some of us can and a sizeable one at that. The incredible hulk, issue 1, is the 10th most expensive comic book ever sold.
The 10 most expensive books in the world flavorwire. Apr 15, 2018 the incredible hulk, issue 1, is the 10th most expensive comic book ever sold. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a. Also known as the stonyhurst gospel, this book is one of the most valuable religious books urizen in the world. The rivetingly strange story of the worlds most expensive bottle of wine, and the even stranger characters whose lives have intersected with it.
While far from the most expensive book on this list, beedle was the priciest book ever. Abebooks periodically publishes a list of the most stunning books recently sold. Jan 20, 2012 definitely the most expensive book ever written about fruit trees featuring sixteen different varieties. It is a collection of translations of biblical psalms by the congregationalist puritans who emigrated to massachusetts bay. Due to its very limited numbers, in our time is considered one of the rare books for book collectors around the world. These are some of the worlds most expensive books ceoworld. Top 10 most expensive rare books sold one can ask himself what makes a particular book an expensive one.
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. Audobon is a noted illustrator who pioneered much of early wildlife research, and the books dimensions reflect his attention to detail. First edition of the federalist, the most soughtafter of all american books. The 20 most expensive comic books in the world 2020. This book is considered as the highestpriced book in the history of publishing. First editions of wellloved books can become the most prized in literature. The item was printed to honor a new australian king in 1936, but. The worlds most valuable childrens books do you have one.
Definitely the most expensive book ever written about fruit trees featuring sixteen different varieties. If you have one of these rare books sitting on a shelf, get ready to cash in. Today, the first folio is one of the most valuable printed books in the world, thing which makes it quite expensive. 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. Top 10 most expensive rare books sold topteny magazine. The first edition of james joyces labyrinthine sophomore novel ulysses sold at auction in 2009 for. Audobon is a noted illustrator who pioneered much of early wildlife research, and the books dimensions reflect his. This brilliant item features an etching of the king in his naval uniform. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold mine. Ornithologia methodice digesta atque iconibus aeneis ad vivum illuminatis. When this book sold, it became the most expensive illuminated manuscript in the world. The bay psalm book is the first book ever to be printed on the territory of the united states. An exceptional copy in the original boards, with the edges untrimmed. List of most expensive books and manuscripts wikipedia.
Watch collectors are always on the lookout for unique, rare and valuable pieces. In fact, these are some of the most expensive ever sold. Nov 05, 2014 over the last 31 years, governments, billionaires and private collectors have repeatedly trumped auctions prices for rare manuscripts. In 1994, however, the journal was purchased by no other than bill gates himself, who paid 29 million euros for it making this manuscript the most expensive book ever sold. At 72 pages, this is arguably the briefest book sold in the millions too. King edward viii twopenny scarlet is considered to be one of the most valuable australias stamps. Affordable alternative marjory williams also wrote a book with a very long title called poor cecco. The most expensive rare book by the bookworm on june 8, 2011 market analysis towards the end of last year, 66year old british book dealer michael tollemache, spent 11. Currently, the most expensive original printings available on socalled retail shelves are taschens leibovitz monograph and goat, a muhammad. The original declaration of independence, signed by thomas jefferson, benjamin franklin, and john adams, is easily one of the rarest, most sought after documents of all time. 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. List of most expensive cars sold at auction wikipedia. Earlier this year, when the online book marketplace abebooks released a list of the most expensive books it sold in 2015, topping the list was an 18th century italian tome with a longwinded title.
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