We’ve already established that people who love reading [**raises hand**] spend a lot of $$$ on books.
…and in that, I regret nothing.
But when I got curious about how much other people spend on books (the kind of people who… you know… own a small Caribbean island chain and drive a gold plated Land Rover)…
My eyes nearly EXPLODED from seeing so many dollar signs!!!
Now I know these rare/ expensive/ unique books are not bought because the person thought, “Oh! I read a review on Goodreads about this… the characters sound so interesting. Plus, my best friend told me the main guy has an accent and is super-hot!”
(What? This is how I choose 80-90% of what I read. Anyway, moving on…)
***IF*** you’re a rare book collector or you’re just curious AF like me 😁 and enjoy drooling over gorgeous, old books… then keep scrolling!
Here’s my (only lightly researched—don’t use me for a citation) list of the Most Expensive Books in the World!!!
Mr. William Shakespear’s, Comedies, Histories & Tragedies [The First Folio]
Amount Sold For: $8.2 million
Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies
[The First Folio] was published in London in 1623 by William Jaggard and Edward Blount.
Harry Potter Philosopher’s by Rowling [First Edition]
Amount Sold For: $185,000
A spectacular copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION with the word “Philosopher’s” misspelled “Philospher’s” on the back (Glad I’m not the only one isn’t great with spelling check).
Photo Credit: Abe books
A Christmas Carol [First Edition]
Amount Sold For: $75,000
The classic novel by Charles Dickens about a grumpy, selfish, melancholy old man named Ebenezer Scrooge. Who 100% reminds me of my grandfather (who is also a fan of saying “ba-humbug” at Christmas).
Photo Credit: maisilba
The Great Gatsby
Amount Sold For: $10,850
The authorized text which restores all the language of Fitzgerald’s 1920’s story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.
This is one of those covers that I’ve always loved.
Photo Credit: Book Fabulous
The Maltese Falcon [1930 First Edition]
Amount Sold For: $10,850
The Maltese Falcon is probably the best known of the Sam Spade stories. This is a real gem. The language, situations, and changes in fortune make this book an outstanding read… but maybe I’ll take the $.99 Kindle version 😜.
Photo credit: Good Reads
The Birds of America
Amount Sold For: $9 Million
Told to be one of the finest ornithological works ever printed.
For $9 million, it better be true!
Photo Credit: Joel Opemheirmer
The Canterbury Take
Amount Sold For: $15,235
Look at this cover! So pretty! A first edition of the book designed and issued by Golden Cockerel Press and one of the most popular books of the entire private press movement (which I thought was pretty cool).
Photo credit: Abe Books
Thoughts, ponderings, rants?
Feel free to hit “reply” and shoot me a note back (FYI – this is my personal email address)
Have a great week and talk soon!
Your book-addict partner in crime,
❤️ Olivia Savage
PS. For the reader in us all! No one gets it, but us ❤️❤️❤️
