First, in 1987, it set a record for the most expensive book ever purchased. Feb 23, 2014 extremely rare, kept in special conditions on the shelves of the world s most famous libraries, first edition books are a slice of history, and their value can hardly be measured by money. These lists provide a remarkable insight in the world of rare book collecting and reveal what the big spenders are adding to their libraries. 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. Find out what bigspending collectors are purchasing through the online marketplace. Exploring the worlds most expensive cars, the worlds rarest cars, and cars of the future hedditch, peter, boyle, chris on. Apr 01, 2020 most expensive rare books ever sold 1. This is a list of printed books, manuscripts, letters, music scores, comic books, maps and other. More rare and endangered than old books, lately, are bookstores and public libraries. The most expensive piano in the universe is the heintzman piano which was created entirely from crystal, one of the most expensive instruments in the world. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with bring me. These are some of the worlds most expensive books ceoworld. However, the cost fluctuates over time, depending on the availability of rare material and what people are willing to pay for it.
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 most expensive books in the world readers digest. The top 10 most expensive rare books sold on abebooks this. Nov 05, 2014 over the last 31 years, governments, billionaires and private collectors have repeatedly trumped auctions prices for rare manuscripts. Also known as the stonyhurst gospel, this book is one of the most valuable religious books urizen in the world. 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 helped found. The dates of composition of the books range from the 7thcentury quran leaf palimpsest and the early 8th century. Johannes gutenberg, printed 1456, 180 copies known to exist.
On friday, christies new york auctioned a copy of john james audubons birds of america, which already holds the title of most valuable printed book in. So lets have a look at the most expensive books that have been sold all around the world. Each sold at auction for thousands, and in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars. 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. Top 10 most expensive rare books sold topteny magazine.
Time and again, the gutenberg bible has made it to the most expensive book list. It is estimated that, when adjusted for inflation, five of the 10 most expensive books ever sold were copies of birds of america. His character proved to be a big success which led to his own title shortly after. In 1455 johannes gutenberg built the world s first moveable type printing press. Extremely rare, kept in special conditions on the shelves of the worlds most famous libraries, first edition books are a slice of history, and their value can hardly be measured by money. 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. There are some rare collections of books which are considered to be the most expensive in regard to its historical value and significance.
Top 10 most expensive rare books sold one can ask himself what makes a particular book an expensive one. Many of the most famous names in literature are found on our list, including lewis carroll, ernest hemingway, james joyce, harper lee, salman rushdie, jk rowling, jrr tolkien, john steinbeck, mark. The unique and beautiful instrument is not just eye candy, although it certainly is a beautiful sight to behold. Exploring the worlds most expensive cars, the worlds rarest cars, and cars of the future. If youd have bought this book when it was new it would have cost you 1s 2d thats about 14p in todays money. Below are the worlds 10 most expensive books ever sold. The 20 most expensive paintings in the world 2020 wealthy. Cuthbert gospel is an early 8thcentury pocket gospel book which is written in latin. It includes 874 diamonds, a total of 201 carats of the precious gemstones, making it an incredibly rare and very expensive timepiece. Next up is a book that has all of the value of a remarkable book. In this issue, a brand new superhero emerges, that goes by the name of barry allen, or the silver age flash.
The 10 most expensive books in the world the atlantic. First editions of wellloved books can become the most prized in literature. While there are a handful of books in the world that may be worth more, until 20 birds of america held the record for the most money paid at auction for any single printed work. Here are the top 10 most expensive world war ii collectibles ever sold. Recently, a rare firstedition copy of harry potter and the philosophers stone sold. Books once illuminated manuscripts reserved for the wealthy were suddenly available to all and the spread of knowledge this created changed the world forvere.
If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a. Cars, houses, jewelry, and watches arent the only ones that can fetch ridiculous amounts of cash. List of most expensive books and manuscripts wikipedia. Yes, some people have spent such a huge amount just for a single book. First editions of books that made literary history, books signed by the worlds most influential figures, stunning art books illustrated by the greatest artists, ultrarare. To compile this article, we looked at the most expensive books to have ever sold and adjusted their sale price for inflation in 2019 dollars. 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. 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. As well as being one of the most expensive paintings in the word, the scream is also one of the most famous and iconic. 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. Due to its very limited numbers, in our time is considered one of the rare books for book collectors around the world. In the united states, more than a thousand bookstores closed between 2000 and 2007. When this book sold, it became the most expensive illuminated manuscript in the.
Here are 20 of the most expensive things in the world today. Discover the incredible books that the world s richest collectors added to their bookshelves during 2014. Most expensive and rare books in the world youtube. Below are the world s 10 most expensive books ever sold. 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. 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. This rare example is a timepiece that was created by the chopard watchmakers. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold mine. 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.
Purchased by london dealer, simon finch rare books. 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. Books are considered to be the biggest companion of those who want to explore the depth of knowledge and information at its best. The 10 most expensive books in the world flavorwire. 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. Top 60 most valuable comic books from the modern age. Abebooks most expensive sales abebooks periodically publishes a list of the most stunning books recently sold. Jk rowlings first book since the conclusion of the harry potter series fetched a huge chunk of change. Jan 01, 2020 the most valuable and rarest substances in the world tend to be expensive. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold. 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. Or, you know, today plus 35 business days for shipping.
In 1455 johannes gutenberg built the worlds first moveable type printing press. In the world of book collecting, old means very, very old. The most expensive books in the world are the works of seminal masters whose legacies are all but impossible to ignore. This story about the worlds bestloved rabbit commands a hefty price tag. Top 50 rare and valuable books the following books are considered by many collectors to be the most rare and valuable.
In fact, these are some of the most expensive ever sold. Over the last 31 years, governments, billionaires and private collectors have repeatedly trumped auctions prices for rare manuscripts. Discover the incredible books that the worlds richest collectors added to their bookshelves during 2014. There are four versions of the scream, and this one is a lot less valuable than the 1893 oil painting rendition, which is currently on display in oslo, norways national gallery. The top 10 most expensive books ever sold used since hundreds of years ago, books are probably the most important step in mankinds evolution. Top 10 worlds most expensive rare books justcollecting.
When this book sold, it became the most expensive illuminated manuscript 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. Some of them come with a high price tag because of the illegal activity and criminal risk involved in selling and buying of these products. The 20 most expensive comic books in the world 2020. The exceedingly rare first volume was the only one. Online literary marketplace abebooks recently revealed the most expensive books sold in 2016, which collectively sold for more than. Its over 100 years old and was one of the first books in potters childrens book range. Nov 24, 20 more rare and endangered than old books, lately, are bookstores and public libraries.
The manuscript was compiled by several artists circa 1500 ce and has 254 folios. Today, christies new york will auction off a copy of john james audubons birds of. I totally need the copy of the the wonderful wizard of oz in my life. The most valuable and rarest substances in the world tend to be expensive. From the papyrus scrolls used in the ancient egypt and the manuscripts in the monasteries of the middle ages, books evolved into what we know today and even appeared more and more in digital form.
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