9 Most Expensive First Edition Books Ever Sold

Some books have sold at auction for astronomical sums, far more than the average person can spend on a single item. The nine most expensive first edition books sold in auction are some of the rarest and most sought-after items worldwide. From the first edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit to the first printing of The Canterbury Tales, these rare books have gone for millions of dollars.

Many are housed in the world’s most prestigious libraries, colleges, and private collections, but occasionally one of these books will make its way to an auction block.

What makes these books so valuable? It’s a combination of rarity, condition, and historical significance. Read on to learn more about these impressive first-edition books and their prices.

9. The Tale of Peter Rabbit

photo source: BBC

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a children’s book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter in 1901. The story follows Peter Rabbit, a mischievous young rabbit who goes against his mother’s warnings and ventures into Mr. McGregor’s garden to eat vegetables.

He is nearly captured by Mr. McGregor during his adventure and barely escapes. The story has become a classic of British children’s literature, and the character of Peter Rabbit has become an iconic figure in popular culture worldwide.

Potter wrote letters to her former governess’ son Noel, which provided the basis for the story. Frederick Warne published the book, and 110 years later, limited editions of twelve classic tales were published in celebration. Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator, and conservationist who loved the countryside and animals.

---

8. Pride and Prejudice

photo source: Wikipedia

Pride and Prejudice is an 1813 novel about manners by Jane Austen. It tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, the lively and spirited protagonist, and her relationship with the wealthy and proud Fitzwilliam Darcy. The novel is set in England in the early 19th century and is a satire of the manners of the landed gentry.

Austen’s sharp wit and clever observations of the social and economic standing of the characters make the novel a timeless classic.

The novel follows the Bennet family and their five daughters as their search for suitable husbands leads to romantic entanglements. Austen points to the importance of reputation and social standing throughout the novel, as Elizabeth and Darcy must overcome their pride and prejudices to find true love.

---

7. The Hobbit

photo source: Tolkien Library

The Hobbit is a classic fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, published in 1937. It follows the story of Bilbo Baggins, a small, home-loving hobbit who reluctantly embarks on an epic quest to win a share of the treasure from a dragon called Smaug.

Along the way, Bilbo encounters many creatures, such as goblins, Wargs, and Gollum, and finds a magical ring that grants its wearer invisibility.

With his dwarven companions, Bilbo must brave dark forests, treacherous mountains, and other dangers to reclaim his treasure. This is a far more light-hearted tale than Tolkien’s later work, The Lord of the Rings, and introduces memorable characters such as Bilbo, Gandalf, and Gollum.

---

6. In Our Time

photo source: Raptis Rare Books

In Our Time is a collection of short stories by Ernest Hemingway, published in 1924. The collection follows the life of Nick Adams as he grows up during the World War I era in America. The stories explore alienation, loss, grief, and separation and are known for Hemingway’s unique prose style, his “theory of omission,” or “iceberg theory,” which only reveals the bare essentials of a story.

The collection was initially composed of six prose vignettes published by Ezra Pound in 1923. Hemingway added twelve vignettes and fourteen short stories for the 1925 edition, including “Indian Camp” and “Big Two-Hearted River.” In 1930, Hemingway composed the vignette “On the Quai at Smyrna” for the 1930 edition.

---

5. Ulysses

photo source: Sotheby’s

Ulysses is a modernist novel by Irish writer James Joyce. It follows the story of a single day in the lives of several characters in Dublin, Ireland, including Leopold Bloom, Stephen Dedalus, and Leopold’s wife, Molly. The novel is known for its experimental use of language, stream of consciousness, humor, and interior monologue.

The book has come to be associated with Dublin and Ireland, Bloomsday being an annual celebration of the life and works of Joyce.

Ulysses has been described as beautiful, overrated, experimental, pornographic, dull, and genius and is often considered one of the greatest English-language works of fiction. Sylvia Beach published the first edition in 1922, and various versions have been published since, including the Hans Walter Gabler edition, which attempts to produce an accurate and complete version of the book.

Did You Know?

Ulysses is noted for its allusions to Homer’s Odyssey, with many of its episodes based on the epic poem.

---

4. Tamerlane and Other Poems

photo source: Wikipedia

Tamerlane and Other Poems is the first published book by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. The collection of poems was first published in 1827. The poem, ‘Tamerlane,’ is a dramatic monologue about the regrets of a great warrior, Timur, who looks back on his life and wonders what could have been if he had made different choices.

A critic has stated that the book combines lyrical beauty and passionate intensity, making it a monument of literature. However, the book received no critical attention when it was published anonymously by Poe at his own expense.

---

3. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

photo source: BBC

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a classic novel by Lewis Carroll in 1865. It tells the story of a young girl, Alice, who falls down a rabbit hole and discovers a strange and whimsical world filled with fantastical creatures and peculiar characters. It follows Alice on a journey of self-discovery as she navigates a dream-like world and learns lessons about life and growing up.

The novel is renowned for its witty riddles, humorous puns, and memorable characters. In addition, it is noted for its imaginative narrative and exploration of logic, language, and mathematics. It has been adapted into many forms, including television shows, films, and stage plays.

Did You Know?

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has been adapted and interpreted countless times and is a beloved and timeless classic.

---

2. First Folio

photo source: The British Library

The First Folio is a collection of 36 William Shakespeare’s plays, published in 1623, seven years after his death. It is the earliest and most authoritative source of Shakespeare’s plays and was produced by two of his friends from the theatre, John Heminge and Henry Condell. The First Folio also contains an original portrait of Shakespeare engraved by Martin Droeshout.

Out of the 36 plays included in the First Folio, 18 were never published. Without the First Folio, these plays might have been lost forever. 

These 18 plays are All’s Well That Ends Well, Antony and Cleopatra, As You Like It, The Comedy of Errors, Coriolanus, Cymbeline, Henry VI, Part 1, Henry VIII, Julius Caesar, King John, Macbeth, Measure for Measure, The Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest, Timon of Athens, Twelfth Night, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Winter’s Tale.

Did You Know?

The First Folio is also important for Shakespeare editors, as it contains lines and passages that might have been lost without it.

---

1. The Canterbury Tales

photo source: Raptis Rare Books

The Canterbury Tales, the most expensive first edition book sold in an auction, is a collection of 24 stories written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387 and 1400. The Canterbury Tales is a part of a framing device in which a group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury Cathedral tell each other stories to pass the time.

The tales, primarily written in verse, range from the comic to the tragic and include stories of romance, moral allegories, and bawdy tales.

The stories are linked together by a common Christian belief and values theme. The tales also serve as a snapshot of life in medieval England and provide insight into the culture and values of the period. Chaucer’s use of English in The Canterbury Tales helped to popularize the English vernacular in literature and demonstrate the potential of the language for high art.

---