Abe's Expensive Books
The most I've spent on a single book was $200, so you can imagine that these are well and truly outside my budget. Abebooks has put together the list to celebrate its own ten year anniversary.
10 Most Expensive Books Sold at Abebooks
The Hobbit
JRR Tolkien
Published in September 1937, this first edition first printing is in its original dust-jacket. Only 1,500 copies of the first edition were printed, and they were sold out by mid-December. Purchased by a buyer in Arizona from a New York bookseller.
$65,000
Areopagitica: A Speech for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing To the Parliament of England
John Milton
Published in 1644, this pamphlet by the author of the epic poem Paradise Lost defended the freedom of the Press as the British government suppressed their opponents’ publications. Purchased by a UK buyer from an American bookseller.
$65,000
(Utopia) De optimo reip. statu, deque nova insula
Sir Thomas More
More became a Catholic martyr when Henry VIII beheaded him. This 1518 fourth edition outlines his ideal state, and pleads for religious tolerance and universal education. Purchased by a UK buyer from an American bookseller.
$60,000
Poems with elegies on the authors death
John Donne
Little written by Donne appeared in print in his lifetime but hundreds of manuscript copies were circulated by hand. This 1633 first edition was the first collection of his poems. Purchased by a buyer in Pakistan from an American bookseller.
$60,000
Historical, Military, and Picturesque Observations on Portugal
Lt.-Col George Thomas Landmann
This 1818 first edition is described as "the most beautiful illustrated English book on Portugal of the period." Landmann fought in the Peninsular War, and his book details sieges and battles. Purchased by a buyer in Hong Kong from an American bookseller.
$57,500
Koran
This handwritten version of the Koran was published in the Arabic year of 1152 (1731 in the Western world). Purchased by a buyer in Pakistan from a bookseller in Germany.
$46,061
Historical and statistical information respecting the history, condition and prospects of the Indian tribes of the United States
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
In 1847, Congress asked Schoolcraft to document the history, condition and future of the aboriginal inhabitants of the US. It is one of the most important works about the American Indian. Purchased by a buyer in California from a bookseller in Philadelphia.
$38,000
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
JK Rowling
The 1997 first edition of Rowling's debut book are hard to find. There was a hardcover print run of 500; most copies are now owned by collectors. This one is in mint condition and unread. Purchased by a buyer in California from a bookseller in France.
$36,059
Traité a'anatomie et de physiologie, avec des plan
A very rare medical handbook, it was published in 1786 in Paris and bound in full leather. Purchased by a buyer in Pennsylvania from a bookseller in Germany.
$27,582
1984
George Orwell
Orwell was hospitalized with Tuberculosis just after the book's publication. He never left alive, so signed copies are scarce. Some were given to hospital staff - this one is inscribed "For Elly with regards, Geo. Orwell." Purchased by a UK buyer from an American bookseller.
$26,500
10 Most Expensive Books Sold at Abebooks
The Hobbit
JRR Tolkien
Published in September 1937, this first edition first printing is in its original dust-jacket. Only 1,500 copies of the first edition were printed, and they were sold out by mid-December. Purchased by a buyer in Arizona from a New York bookseller.
$65,000
Areopagitica: A Speech for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing To the Parliament of England
John Milton
Published in 1644, this pamphlet by the author of the epic poem Paradise Lost defended the freedom of the Press as the British government suppressed their opponents’ publications. Purchased by a UK buyer from an American bookseller.
$65,000
(Utopia) De optimo reip. statu, deque nova insula
Sir Thomas More
More became a Catholic martyr when Henry VIII beheaded him. This 1518 fourth edition outlines his ideal state, and pleads for religious tolerance and universal education. Purchased by a UK buyer from an American bookseller.
$60,000
Poems with elegies on the authors death
John Donne
Little written by Donne appeared in print in his lifetime but hundreds of manuscript copies were circulated by hand. This 1633 first edition was the first collection of his poems. Purchased by a buyer in Pakistan from an American bookseller.
$60,000
Historical, Military, and Picturesque Observations on Portugal
Lt.-Col George Thomas Landmann
This 1818 first edition is described as "the most beautiful illustrated English book on Portugal of the period." Landmann fought in the Peninsular War, and his book details sieges and battles. Purchased by a buyer in Hong Kong from an American bookseller.
$57,500
Koran
This handwritten version of the Koran was published in the Arabic year of 1152 (1731 in the Western world). Purchased by a buyer in Pakistan from a bookseller in Germany.
$46,061
Historical and statistical information respecting the history, condition and prospects of the Indian tribes of the United States
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
In 1847, Congress asked Schoolcraft to document the history, condition and future of the aboriginal inhabitants of the US. It is one of the most important works about the American Indian. Purchased by a buyer in California from a bookseller in Philadelphia.
$38,000
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
JK Rowling
The 1997 first edition of Rowling's debut book are hard to find. There was a hardcover print run of 500; most copies are now owned by collectors. This one is in mint condition and unread. Purchased by a buyer in California from a bookseller in France.
$36,059
Traité a'anatomie et de physiologie, avec des plan
A very rare medical handbook, it was published in 1786 in Paris and bound in full leather. Purchased by a buyer in Pennsylvania from a bookseller in Germany.
$27,582
1984
George Orwell
Orwell was hospitalized with Tuberculosis just after the book's publication. He never left alive, so signed copies are scarce. Some were given to hospital staff - this one is inscribed "For Elly with regards, Geo. Orwell." Purchased by a UK buyer from an American bookseller.
$26,500