Some people enjoy reading one book after the next, never really taking into consideration the fact that some are more valuable than others.
Every book is valuable in the sense that it can provide you with a wealth of knowledge. However, when it comes to monetary value, some stand out from the crowd.
If you’re a book collector, don’t hesitate to turn your attention to first editions that are both scarce and valuable. For a better idea of just how much value a book can carry, here is a list of the most expensive books ever sold (as shared by Bookstr):
· Codex Leicester – $30.8 million
· Magna Carta – $21.2 million
· St Cuthbert Gospel – $14.3 million
· Bay Psalm Book – $14.165 million
· Rothschild Prayer Book – $13.4 million
· Gospels of Henry the Lion – $11.7 million
· The Birds of America – $11.5 million
· The Canterbury Tales – $7.5 million
· First Folio: Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories & Tragedies – $6.16 million
· Gutenberg Bible – $4.9 million
· The Tales of Beedle the Bard – $3.98 million
It goes without saying that these books are extremely difficult to come by. For example, it’s believed that there are only 12 copies of the original Canterbury Tales in existence.
While these books may be rare, it’s not out of the question that you could stumble upon one at a local estate sale or flea market. Just the same, there are thousands upon thousands of other books that are not as valuable but are still worth adding to your collection.
If you want to improve your chance of finding a valuable/collectible book, you may want to lower your expectations just a bit. For example, books by Tom Clancy and those from the Harry Potter series are much easier to find. While they’re not worth millions of dollars, they’re still quite valuable and well worth adding to your collection. Others to search for include: Americana by Don DeLillo, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, and Heart Songs and Other Stories by Annie Proulx.
As a book collector, what’s your best find to date?