List Of 25 Most Expensive Books Ever Sold In The World

Books have long been treasured not only for their content but also as prized collectibles. Throughout history, rare manuscripts, first editions, and historically significant works have fetched staggering sums at auction, sometimes reaching millions of dollars. The combination of rarity, historical importance, condition, and provenance plays a key role in determining the value of these exceptional books. Below is an overview of some of the most expensive books ever sold, showcasing the intersection of literature, history and investment.

1. Codex Leicester – Leonardo da Vinci

•    Price: $30.8 million (1994)
•    Description: A scientific notebook written by Leonardo da Vinci, containing notes, drawings, and theories on water flow, astronomy, and geology. Purchased by Bill Gates.

2. Magna Carta (1215)

•    Price: $21.3 million (2007)
•    Description: One of the original surviving copies of the Magna Carta, a key legal document establishing the principle that everyone is subject to the law, including the king.

3. Bay Psalm Book (1640)

•    Price: $14.2 million (2013)
•    Description: The first book printed in British North America. It contains metrical Psalms translated for congregational singing in the Puritan tradition.

4. Birds of America – John James Audubon

•    Price: $11.5 million (2010)
•    Description: A large-format, hand-colored work showcasing 435 illustrations of American birds. Noted for its detailed and artistic representation of wildlife.

5. Shakespeare First Folio (1623)

•    Price: $6.2 million (2020)
•    Description: The first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, critical to preserving many plays that might otherwise have been lost.

6. Gutenberg Bible (1455)

•    Price: $5.4 million (1987)
•    Description: The first major book printed using movable type in the West, making it a revolutionary step in mass-producing texts and spreading knowledge.

7. The Canterbury Tales – Geoffrey Chaucer (First Edition)

•    Price: $7.5 million (1998)
•    Description: A first edition of Chaucer’s seminal work, illustrating a series of stories told by pilgrims traveling to Canterbury, foundational to English literature.

8. The North American Indian – Edward S. Curtis

•    Price: ~$2 million+
•    Description: A multi-volume work documenting Native American tribes with photographs and detailed ethnographic information.

9. Smaller Edition of Birds of America – John James Audubon

•    Price: $1.5 – $3.5 million (varies by copy and condition)
•    Description: A smaller folio edition of Audubon’s work, still prized for its beautiful plates and rarity.

10. Principia Mathematica – Isaac Newton (First Edition, 1687)

•    Price: $3.7 million
•    Description: Newton’s groundbreaking work on laws of motion and universal gravitation, forming the foundation of classical physics.

11. Gutenberg Psalter (Mainz Psalter, 1457)

•    Price: $4.4 million
•    Description: An early printed book following the Gutenberg Bible, containing Psalms and other religious texts with hand-colored illustrations.

12. Ulysses – James Joyce (First Edition, 1922)

•    Price: $460,000 (2019)
•    Description: A highly influential modernist novel, notable for its stream-of-consciousness technique and experimental prose. First editions are extremely collectible.

13. On the Origin of Species – Charles Darwin (First Edition, 1859)

•    Price: $500,000+
•    Description: Darwin’s groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection, which revolutionized biological sciences.

14. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll (First Edition, 1865)

•    Price: $1.5 million+
•    Description: The first edition of Carroll’s classic children’s book, highly collectible, especially in excellent condition or signed copies.

15. Birds of the West Indies – James Bond (First Edition, 1936)

•    Price: $150,000+
•    Description: A key ornithological reference that inspired the name of the fictional spy James Bond.

16. The Codex Sinaiticus (Ancient Bible Manuscript)

•    Price: ~$30 – $50 million (estimated, privately held)
•    Description: One of the oldest complete Christian Bibles, written in Greek on parchment in the 4th century, preserved by major institutions.

17. The Declaration of Independence (Dunlap Broadside, 1776)

•    Price: $4.4 million
•    Description: An original printing of the Declaration of Independence, extremely rare and highly significant in U.S. history.

18. Le Petit Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (First Edition, 1943)

•    Price: $250,000+
•    Description: First edition, often highly sought after, particularly signed copies of this beloved philosophical tale.

19. Birds of Paradise (First Edition by George Edwards, 1743)

•    Price: $1 million+
•    Description: Early ornithological work with hand-colored illustrations of birds-of-paradise, rare and artistically significant.

20. The Works of William Blake (First Editions)

•    Price: $1 million+
•    Description: Collectible first editions of Blake’s illuminated poetry and artworks, combining literature and visual art.

21. Gutenberg Missal (1450s)

•    Price: $4 million+
•    Description: One of the earliest liturgical books printed with movable type, highly valuable to collectors and historians.

22. Voynich Manuscript

•    Price: ~$30 – $50 million (estimated, not sold publicly)
•    Description: A mysterious, undeciphered illustrated manuscript from the 15th century, whose origin and content remain unknown, making it invaluable.

23. The Complete Works of Charles Dickens (First Editions, Various)

•    Price: $500,000+
•    Description: Collectors prize complete first edition sets in pristine condition, especially signed copies.

24. The Book of Mormon (First Edition, 1830)

•    Price: $150,000+
•    Description: First edition of the religious text of the Latter-Day Saint movement, highly collectible due to historical and religious significance.

25. Tamerlane and Other Poems – Edgar Allan Poe (First Edition, 1827)

•    Price: $662,500
•    Description: Poe’s first published work, extremely rare and prized by collectors of American literature.

Factors Influencing Book Value

•    Rarity: Books with limited surviving copies are naturally more valuable.
•    Condition: Near-perfect condition drastically increases value.
•    Historical Importance: Works connected to key historical events or figures are highly sought after.
•    Provenance: Books with notable ownership history or unique signatures command higher prices.
•    First Editions & Printings: First editions of classic literary works are particularly prized.

Why Collect Expensive Books?

For collectors and investors, rare books represent both cultural heritage and financial asset. These books are not just vessels of knowledge but also works of art and historical artifacts that can appreciate in value over time. Libraries, museums, private collectors, and investors alike compete in auctions, driving prices to record-breaking heights.

Conclusion

The world’s most expensive books are far more than mere texts. They are pieces of history, beauty, and culture that bridge generations. Whether it is a Leonardo da Vinci notebook, an ancient religious text, or a seminal literary work, these books continue to fascinate collectors and historians alike. As auctions and private sales reveal new record-breaking purchases, the allure of rare books remains as strong as ever.