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Books are gateways to another world. They allow us to travel without actually having to step out of our house. The world of rare and antique books is even more valuable because they provide a glimpse of scientists, authors, artists, and other influential people from bygone eras through their words and writings illustrations. These aren’t just printed text—they’re windows into history, art, religion, and science. From Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester to millennia‑old Bibles, such items command staggering prices.  That’s right: People have paid not hundreds, not thousands, but millions for certain books. And for the most expensive book ever sold? It was for a shocking $ 38 million. Why do collectors feel the need to shell out this much for some books? It can be for preserving these rare books, or for some, it could be the allure of owning a piece of history. It could also serve as a diverse investment option, since these rare books sell for incredible prices and their value tends to increase over time. 

So, what titles and categories of books have fetched such incredible prices? Read on to find the top 10 most expensive books ever sold at auction, their stories and why these books fetched such an astonishing amount.

Also Read: Ultimate Guide to Rare Book Collecting

Top 10 Expensive Books

Here is a glimpse of the top 10 most expensive books ever sold:

1. Codex Sassoon (Hebrew Bible) – $38.1 million

The Codex Sassoon is an early and nearly complete Hebrew Bible, from the 9th–10th century. It contains all 24 books of the Hebrew Bible, missing only 12 leaves, and predates the Leningrad Codex by nearly a century. It was auctioned for $38 million in New York.

Why it fetched a high price:

• Historic religious value: Oldest near-complete version of the Hebrew Bible.
• Cultural relevance: A rare artefact central to Jewish history and identity.

2. Printer’s Manuscript of the Book of Mormon – $35 million

The original manuscript used to print the first edition of the Book of Mormon in 1830. The Book of Mormon is the foundational text of the Latter-day Saint (LDS) movement. In 2017, it was sold for $35 million.

Why it fetched a high price:

• Religious significance: A sacred foundational document for millions of followers.
• Historical rarity: Only one complete printer’s manuscript exists.

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

When Bill Gates purchased the Codex Leicester in 1994 for $30.8 million, it became one of the most expensive books ever sold.  The Codex Leicester is a scientific notebook by Leonardo da Vinci, believed to have had one of the highest IQs ever. The codex features ideas on astronomy, water, fossils, and planetary motion—written in his signature mirror script.

Why it fetched a high price:

• Authorship: Leonardo is a universal icon of genius.
• Scientific insight: It reveals Da Vinci’s revolutionary thinking centuries ahead of its time.

4. Magna Carta (1297 copy) – $21.3 million

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is foundational for modern democracy, establishing legal rights and limiting monarchical power. One of only 17 surviving original copies of the 1297 Magna Carta, a document that laid the foundation for modern democratic and legal systems, was sold at an auction and fetched an astonishing $21.3 million in 2007. 

Why it fetched a high price:

• Legal cornerstone: Influenced the U.S. Constitution and global human rights law.
• Extreme rarity: Few surviving copies, most in British archives.

5. St Cuthbert Gospel (Gospel of John) – $14.3 million

This 7th-century pocket-sized version of the Gospel of John is one of the earliest surviving examples of Western bookbinding. This is one of Europe’s oldest intact books, buried with St Cuthbert in the 7th century. 

Why it fetched a high price:

• Exceptional preservation: Intact after over 1,300 years.
• Historical aura: Deeply embedded in the early history of Christianity in Britain.

6. Bay Psalm Book – $14.2 million

Setting a world record, the Bay Psalm Book was sold for an incredible $14.2 million in 2013. Printed in 1640, it is the first book printed in English in North America. With only 11 known copies, it is an incredible find. 

Why it fetched a high price:

• American heritage icon: Represents the start of printing in colonial America.
• Collector’s dream: Rare, historic, and a cornerstone of American bibliophiles.

7. Rothschild Prayerbook – $13.6 million

A Flemish illuminated Book of Hours from the early 1500s, created by renowned artists. Compiled in the early 1500s, the Rothschild Prayer Book features the works of myriad Flemish scholars and artists. It’s a total of 254 separate pages—67 of which contain full-page paintings and was once owned by the Rothschild banking dynasty.

Why it fetched a high price:

• Stunning artwork: A masterpiece of late medieval illumination.
• Prestigious provenance: Returned to the Rothschilds post-WWII and sold to benefit charity.
• Museum-worthy condition: Rare in completeness and beauty.

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

Between 1827 and 1838, naturalist John James Audubon published a series of detailed, vibrant prints depicting hundreds of different North American bird species.

A complete, first-edition copy of this 19th-century naturalist’s magnum opus, printed in life-size across four massive volumes, with 435 hand-coloured plates, was sold at an auction in 2010.

Why it fetched a high price:

• Scientific art: Combines ornithology, illustration, and early American history.
• Limited run: Only 119 copies remaining

9. Gospels of Henry the Lion – $11.7 million

The Gospels of Henry the Lion, commissioned in the 12th century by Duke Henry the Lion. This manuscript contains 266 pages, including 50 impressive full-page illustrations. Sold for $11.7 million in 1983, it was the world’s most expensive book until 1994.

Why it fetched a high price:

• Artistic significance: Among the finest surviving medieval manuscripts.
• Historical patronage: Commissioned by a powerful duke.

10. Shakespeare’s First Folio – $9.98 million

Originally titled Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies, the First Folio is the 1623 first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, containing 36 works—including 18 that had never been published before. Only about 235 copies are known to survive. 

Why it fetched a high price:

• Literary foundation: Without it, we may have lost half of Shakespeare’s work.
• Global cultural impact: Shakespeare’s influence on language and drama is unparalleled.

Also Read: The Allure of Rare Books

What Drives These Auctions to Record Prices?

1. Cultural and Historical Significance

Rare books and manuscripts aren’t just old—they represent turning points in human civilization. Many of them mark foundational moments in law, religion, literature, or science. Their impact is lasting and deeply ingrained in global consciousness.

2. Rarity and Condition

Supply and demand apply here like in any market—but with antique books, the supply is often microscopic. When a single known copy or exceptionally well-preserved edition hits the market, it sparks intense competition.

3. Provenance and Prestige

A book’s backstory can be just as valuable as its content. Who owned it? Where has it been? Provenance adds mystique, legitimacy, and marketing power.

Final Thoughts

Rare books are more than artefacts—they’re living witnesses to the evolution of human thought. Whether it’s a centuries-old religious manuscript or a hand-annotated scientific notebook, these works capture ideas that reshaped our world.

If you’re captivated by the mystique of rare books, auctions such as the Giftex Online Auction are the ultimate arena. Rare book auctions are where collectors, scholars, and institutions compete for literary immortality. 

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just fascinated by the world of manuscripts, auctions remain the best place to get your hands on rare, investment-grade books—where price meets provenance, and passion meets the page.