As book lovers, we are always intrigued by the value and rarity of books. We often find ourselves wondering about the most expensive books in the world, and what makes them worth their exorbitant prices. With the rise of digital books and e-readers, we may assume that the days of expensive physical books are behind us. However, we were curious to find out what are the most expensive paperback and hardcover books available for purchase, and we were pleasantly surprised by the results.
After conducting thorough research, we have compiled a list of the top 15+ most expensive books that you can actually buy on Amazon, ranked in ascending order. From rare first editions to limited printings, these books have captured the attention of avid collectors and book enthusiasts alike.
1. “Codex Leicester” by Leonardo da Vinci – $30.8 million
Topping our list is the “Codex Leicester,” a scientific and personal notebook of the legendary artist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. This manuscript, written in the early 16th century, contains over 72 pages of da Vinci’s scientific observations and theories on astronomy, physics, and water. In 1994, it was purchased by Bill Gates for a staggering $30.8 million.
2. “Tales of Beedle the Bard” by J.K. Rowling – $3.98 million
Best known for her “Harry Potter” series, author J.K. Rowling also released a limited edition of “Tales of Beedle the Bard” in 2007, with only seven copies in existence. This book features hand-written and illustrated fairy tales from the wizarding world, and one copy was sold at an auction for $3.98 million.
3. “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer – $7.5 million
One of the oldest and most significant works of English literature, “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer is a medieval collection of stories told by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. Only twelve copies of the first edition exist, and one of them was sold for $7.5 million in 1998.
4. “Voynich Manuscript” – $9.8 million
Rumored to be the most mysterious book in the world, the “Voynich Manuscript” is a handwritten and illustrated codex dating back to the early 15th century. It contains an unknown language and is filled with illustrations of plants, astrological charts, and naked women bathing in green pools. In 2017, a collector purchased it for $9.8 million.
5. “Bay Psalm Book” – $14.2 million
The first book ever printed in America, the “Bay Psalm Book” was published in 1640 and is one of only 11 copies known to exist. It contains the Book of Psalms from the Old Testament and is still considered the most expensive book ever sold in the world, with a price tag of $14.2 million.
6. “First Folio” by William Shakespeare – $6 million
Considered one of the most influential books in the English language, the “First Folio” is a collection of William Shakespeare’s plays, published in 1623, seven years after his death. Of the 850 copies printed, only 233 are known to survive, and one was sold for $6 million in 2001.
7. “Les Roses” by Pierre-Joseph Redouté – $300,000
Known as the “Raphael of flowers,” Pierre-Joseph Redouté was a prominent botanical artist in the 18th and 19th centuries. His collection of rose paintings, “Les Roses,” was published in 1817 and is considered a masterpiece in the world of botanical art. A first edition copy of this book was sold for $300,000 in 2014.
8. “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville – $185,000
Considered a literary classic, “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville was first published in 1851. A first edition copy of this book, which is now scarce, was sold for $185,000 in 2009. Its enduring popularity and rarity make it a must-have for any collector.
9. “The History of British Birds” by Thomas Bewick – $94,000
Published in 1797, “The History of British