Rare 16th Century Books Valued at £3K Actually Sold for £365K

Two rare 16th Century books were originally valued at £3,000 have sold for an amazing £365,000.

The books were considered rare because of the inclusion of a folding map that is usually missing in books this old.

The books, written by Richard Hakluyt around 1600AD, include the original 16″ by 18″ map of the world so they drew attention from many antique book collectors all over the globe. The auction house in Exeter, Devon had put their value on between £3,000 to £5,000.

A spokesman said: “Unusually the folding map of the world was present and although in a delicate state, it didn’t deter prospective purchasers.”

The folding map is usually missing, making this book very rare and valuable

The books were fought for fiercely by more than 10 bidders at the antiquarian book sale at the Bearnes, Hampton and Littlewood auction.

The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation, made by Sea or Overland, to the remote and furthest distant quarters of the Earth, had been in one family’s private library for many years until they were put up for auction.

The final price for the three volumes, bound in two books, ended up at £450,000 after buyer’s premium was included.