List of Top 10 Most Expensive Books in the World

Books have been a crucial part in obtaining knowledge and wisdom worldwide. Moreover, they have acted as alternative historians diving through histories and cultures. Various books have a capital value that reaches millions. The reason lies in the historical significance, artistic value, and unmatched craftsmanship. Here, we have listed the 10 most expensive books in the world. 

What Makes These Books So Expensive

Before we uncover this list of top 10 most expensive books in the world, let us tell you why they are so prestigious and hold such monetary value:

• Historically Significant: Books that are solely the authentic source of major historical events or point out specific historical accounts that have paramount value. 

• Rarity of the Book: Books that are tremendously valuable, but rare or left as fragments. 

• The Origin and the Ownership: Books written by legendary authors or owned by significant figures certainly increase worth.

• Craftsmanship: The typographical styles, illustrations, binding methods, and so forth influence value due to high production costs. 

List of the Most Expensive Books in the World 

1. The Book of Mormon – $35 million

“The Book of Mormon” is known for its cultural and religious significance to the ancient people of America. The style in which this book was written imitates the writing style of the King James Bible. 

It is noticed that this book was written by many authors, as it has a distinctive literary style suggesting various genealogies, including embedded texts. Among scholars and people, this book has various interpretations. Some interpret it as the role of Jesus Christ, and for others, it is an art of fictional literature that assists in finding meaning through religious beliefs. 

• Auctioned In: 2017
• Worth: $35 million
• Bought By: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

2. Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci – $30.8 million

Codex Leicester is a 72 page manuscript written by Leonardo da Vinci himself. Today, this man is recognized as an inventor, a scientist, and an exceptional artist. This book holds artistic and scientific importance that is visible in its sophisticated sketches, detailed diagrams, and scientific writings. 

He is considered one of the great thinkers of his time due to the variety of concepts he explored in this book. This book opens a dimension of study on mechanics, mathematics, astronomy, and hydraulics, with various philosophical meditations and fables. 

This book was originally written in the Italian language following a unique and complex style of mirror writing. To decipher what is written on it, you will have to place a mirror in front of the book to make it readable. Leonardo da Vinci, being a practitioner of this style, extensively utilized it in his writings and contributed his part to it. 

• Author: Leonardo da Vinci
• Worth: $30.8 million
• Current Owner: Bill Gates

3. Henry the Lion Gospels – $30.8 million

The “Henry the Lion Gospels” is a medieval masterpiece crafted in 1188. It is believed that it was a gift to the altar of the Virgin Mary from the Duke of Saxony and Bavaria. The book is decorated with 50 pages of illuminated miniatures in gold and vivid colors that account for the historical and theological references of the cultural heritage of the 12th century. 

The book has no single author, as it was crafted by the monks of Helmarshausen Abbey on the order of Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony. It is valued at around $30.8 million and is in the preservation of the German government. 

• Who Commissioned It: Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony
• Created by: The literate monks of the Helmarshausen Abbey
• Worth: $30.8 million
• Current Owner: German Government

4. Gutenberg Bible – $5.39 million to $30 million

This centuries old sculpture of art is the Gutenberg Bible, written by Johannes Gutenberg in 1455, and was printed on a movable printer, marking a breakthrough in printing history. This book is believed to be the start of the Revolution of Gutenberg in the production of books. 

Due to the major shift to new technology, which was utilized to print this edition of the bible, it made it accessible to a wide range of the population. In the present day, only 49 original copies of the book are known, of which there are very few that are in good condition. Due to its rarity in complete editions, it has become a part of the rarest and most expensive book in the world.

• Estimated Price: $5.39 million to $30 million
• Auction Date: Last sold in 1987

5. The Magna Carta – $21.3 million

The Magna Carta is a foundational text that explores the fundamental rights of humans, the importance of liberty, and justice for the first time in history. It explains that the laws must be followed by every citizen, including the King. 

This foundational text for constitutional rights was issued in 1215, describing the protection of people against unlawful imprisonment. Due to this, it significantly influenced the constitutional procedures and systems of England and worldwide. In 2007, David Rubenstein bought the original copy of the historical charter for $21.3 million. 

• Price: $21.3 million
• Buyer: David Rubenstein
• Auction Date: 2007

6. The Bay Psalm Book – $14.16 million

The Bay Psalm Book is a historical artifact of English translations of biblical psalms, which was published in 1640 by Stephen Daye, who moved to the Massachusetts Bay Colony with the first printing press of America. 

Because it was published on the first printing press, it led to numerous typing and other errors when it was first printed. Despite this imperfection, it was widely accepted due to its cultural and religious significance. The style in which this English translation of biblical psalms was written follows a rhythmic pattern, metrical verse. 

Metrical verse is a poetic rhythmic structure that follows a specific pattern of writing, which has made the verses of this book ideal for communal singing, rather than verbal reciting. Today, only 11 copies of this culturally rich piece are left, making it so rare and unique. 

• Produced by: Puritan ministers of Massachusetts Bay Colony
• Price: $14.16 million
• Recent Buyer: David Rubenstein
• Auction Date: 2013

7. The Rothschild Prayerbook – $13.4 million

This fascinating manuscript is a 16th century masterpiece of the Flemish Renaissance. Acknowledged for its historical significance and connection to renowned artists like Gerard David, Simon Bening, and Gerard Horenbout, this book is based on personal prayers and meditation. Rothschild was originally written in Latin and decorated with gold and miniatures of saints and borders in vivid colors. 

Scholars have admired this book so much because of its aesthetics and refined artistic qualities. The elegant illustrations of realistic flowers, complex jewelry designs, and miniature paintings have made this book so admirable and artistically rich. 

Not only the aesthetics and rarity, but also the side that highlights the provenance, including its confiscation by the Nazis. But, after World War 2, it was returned to the Rothschilds and is currently placed at Kerry Stokes Collection, in Australia. It also highlights the elite European cultural and religious practices as another part of its charm. 

• Auctioned for: $13.4 million
• Auction Year: 2014

8. The Birds of America by John James Audubon – $11.5 million

This treasure of illustrative art was created by the American ornithologist, John James Audubon, who is known as a naturalist, a renowned painter, and a wildlife artist. He is well known for introducing 25 new species of birds along with 12 new subspecies. 

This is one of the most expensive books in the world, capturing 435 species of original size birds, in an era where bird illustrations were small with unclear details. In this book, he painted various North American birds, including extinct birds like the passenger pigeon and Carolina parakeet. 

Today, there are only 120 copies of the book, including one entire copy available at The Darlington Collection in the University of Pittsburgh, making this piece so expensive and valuable. 

• Price Value: $11.5 million
• Auction Year: 2010

9. The First Folio by William Shakespeare – $9.98 million

The First Folio is a collected edition of the works of William Shakespeare, which was published in 1623. It is a magnificent collection of 36 plays, such as Macbeth, The Tempest, and Julius Caesar. The works of William Shakespeare are widely studied across the world due to his major contribution to English literature. 

This Folio of his explores the themes of comedies, histories, and tragedies woven in his vivid knowledge of English literature and storytelling. It also immortalized the 18 unpublished plays of Shakespeare that were first printed in The First Folio. 

• Price: $9.98 million
• Auction Date: Last sold in 1987

10. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer – $7.5 million

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the finest and most expensive books in the world. This literary work was written between 1387 to 1400. As it was written in the period of Middle English, it served as the crucial foundation for modern English. 

The tales follow the journey of the pilgrims traveling from London to visit the holy shrine of Saint Thomas Becket, satirizing the societal norms and the hypocritical churches of the 14th century. It explores the themes of human relationships with worldly pleasures and spiritual aspirations. 

Today, it is well preserved in original bindings and illustration, just as it was published by Willian Caxton in 1476 to 1477. The 14th century’s culture and lifestyle are secured in just 10 copies that exist today. Its expensiveness can be measured by its relevance in the printing history of England. 

• Price: $7.5 million
• First Auctioned In: 1998

End Note

For centuries, books served as a great source of knowledge, wisdom, and acted as a companion of the human heart, telling stories, sharing thoughts, and recounting history. From Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to the First Folio of William Shakespeare, they have documented vast historical highlights throughout civilizations and cultures. 

What makes these books so prestigious is their rarity, artistic designs, illustrations, and handcrafting techniques that played a significant role in making these creative pieces one of the most expensive books in the world. 

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