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The 10 Most Expensive Books in the World

No matter how much a book costs me it is still priceless once it’s in my possession;  I have several first editions that were bought accidentally and a few (less well known authors) signed copies but they’re never going to make me rich.

It appears however, that books can and do make people rich and more often than we imagine. Here are the top ten most expensive books ever sold (as of 22 July 2015)

(exchange rates correct as of 22 July 2015)

 

Codex Leicester

This little gem is a collection of scientific writings by Leonardo Da Vinci, written and named for Thomas Coke (Earl of Leicester) who bought it in 1719. Sold to Bill Gates in 1994, this original and unique manuscript sold for $30,802,500 (£19,753,866).
Below are slightly cheaper copies.

Codex Leicester US
Codex Leicester UK

Magna Carta (exemplar)

A 1297 exemplar copy of the Magna Carta was bought by David Rubenstein (co founder of The Carlyle Group) in December of 2007 for the princely sum of $21,300,000 (£13,659,844) at Sotheby’s New York.
Again, the copies below are slightly less expensive.

Magna Carta US
Magna Carta UK

St Cuthbert or Stonyhurst Gospel

The smallest surviving Anglo Saxon manuscript and the earliest example of book binding, this 8th century manuscript of unknown authorship was acquired by The British Library for $14,300,000 (£9,156,764)  after the most successful fundraising campaign in its history, in April 2012.

St Cuthbert Gospel US
St Cuthbert Gospel UK

Bay Psalm Book

The first book printed in the United States, printed by Stephen Day(e) press, it was printed as a result of dissatisfaction at the two Psalter translations that were available to the early residents of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
11 copies survive today of which only 5 are complete. This one sold to (once again) David Rubenstein for $14,200,000 (£9,092,539) making it the most expensive ‘printed’ book ever.

Bay Psalm US
Bay Psalm UK

Rothschild Prayer Book (Hours)

A Flemish illuminated manuscript which was compiled by a group of artists in the years between 1500-1520. Sold in 2014 for $13,600,000 (£8,708,347) it remains the world record price for an illuminated manuscript.

Rothschild Canticles US
Rothschild Canticles UK

Gospels of Henry The Lion

Made for the Duke of Saxony for the Altar of the Virgin Mary at Brunswick Cathedral in the late 12th century; this masterpiece of Romanesque illumination was bought by the German Government for $11,700,000 (£7,491,739) in December 1983.

Gospels of Henry the Lion US
Gospels of Henry the Lion UK

The Birds of America.

First published as a series between 1827 and 1838 this book of illustration and information about America’s varied bird life was written by painter and naturalist John James Audubon.
A complete copy was sold at Sotheby’s London for $11,500,000 (£7,363,675) in December of 2010; Michael Tollemache the successful bidder.
Two further copies sold for $8.8m and $7.2m respectively.

The Birds of America US
The Birds of America UK

The Canterbury Tales

This 15th century, first edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales sold for $7,500,000 (£4,802,397) in July of 1998. Only a dozen of the 1477 William Caxton prints still exist, with this copy being bought by London Book Dealers the Mags Brothers.

The Canterbury Tales US
The Canterbury Tales UK

Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (The First Folio)

Containing 36 plays and compiled by Shakespeare’s colleagues John Heminges and Henry Condell this is considered the only reliable source for the text of roughly 20 plays. Published in 1623 and sold in 2001 at Christie’s to Microsoft co founder Paul Allen for $6,100,000 (£3,905,949) this posh prose is one of  220 copies believed to be in existence and one of only 40 that remain complete.

The First Folio US
The First Folio UK

Gutenberg Bible

The first book printed in the west using movable type ths Bible marked the age of the printed book in the west and the Gutenberg Revolution.

Printed in 1455, this calfskin bound copy sold at Christie’s in 1987 for $4,900,000 (£3,137,566) to Japanese Book Dealers Maruzen Co.

Gutenberg Bible US
Gutenberg Bible UK

I’ve scoured my shelves, checked my loft and questioned my relatives but sadly not found any of the above. I suppose I shall just have to keep playing the lottery and hoping.

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