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Books - General

Book lovers enjoy antique books for their impact on history and culture and thought-provoking contents. Vintage books may also be adored for their physical characteristics, such as the artwork on an original cover or for notes made in the margin by the creator or a famous person. A Salvador Dali "Alice in Wonderland" book for sale is valued for its illustrations by the famous painter and its originality. A biography of Queen Victoria titled "Queen Victoria from Her Birth to Her Bridal" is rare and interesting because of the disapproving notes scribbled in the margin by Queen Victoria herself. Similarly, these little discrepancies also make antique maps and rare manuscripts valuable.

Collectors can find rare books online or at traditional auction houses. Rare book dealers and librarians often compete for these treasures, which has the double effect of making a book more collectible and unobtainable. Contemporary works can also bring high prices at auction.

Currently, editions by Ernest Hemingway are more valuable than works by his contemporaries because they are more widely read. Rudyard Kipling works, which were favored in the '20s, became less sought after in the following decades. More contemporary books which have become highly collectible are signed works by "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and signed copies of "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. Rare comic books and science fiction novels are also a growing trend in collecting.


Quick Facts

  • A signed copy of a Salvador Dali "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll realized a price of $5,625 at a Christie’s auction in 2008
  • A first edition book of poems by Scottish poet Robert Burns bound in late 19th century green Morocco gilt sold for more than $57,730 at a Lyon and Turnbull auction in 2012
  • A signed first edition of "The Order of the Phoenix" by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling sold for $7,657 at Abe Books in 2007

Recommended Items at Auction

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A Collection of Books, Marked The Adventures of Tin Tin, Sealed
Feb 15, 10:00 AM AEDT
A Collection of Books, Marked The Adventures of Tin Tin, Sealed
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD26013 Bids
Chirimenbon - Hasegawa, T.,
Feb 16, 9:00 PM CET
Chirimenbon - Hasegawa, T.,
by Zisska & Lacher
Est: €100- €150
€8009 Bids
Chirimenbon - Hasegawa, T.,
Feb 16, 9:00 PM CET
Chirimenbon - Hasegawa, T.,
by Zisska & Lacher
Est: €80- €120
€4009 Bids
Chirimenbon - Hasegawa, T.,
Feb 16, 9:00 PM CET
Chirimenbon - Hasegawa, T.,
by Zisska & Lacher
Est: €140- €200
€6508 Bids
A Book, Marked The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding Civilization
Feb 15, 10:00 AM AEDT
A Book, Marked The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding Civilization
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD1008 Bids
Athletic Model Guild Books
Feb 27, 8:00 PM EST
Athletic Model Guild Books
by Vallot Auctioneers
Est: $300- $500
$1507 Bids
A Dutch Book by Rycke, L. de, Vay, N. and Du Rieu, J.
Feb 15, 10:00 AM CET
A Dutch Book by Rycke, L. de, Vay, N. and Du Rieu, J.
by Hessink's
Est: €150- €250
€2607 Bids
A large volume of books pertaining to Vincent Van gogh
Feb 16, 7:00 PM AEDT
A large volume of books pertaining to Vincent Van gogh
by Lawsons
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD507 Bids
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Maple Leafs A-Z
Feb 23, 1:00 PM CST
Maple Leafs A-Z
by Saskatchewan Network for Art Collecting
Est: $30- $35
$226 Bids
Opportunity box of books about mushrooms
Feb 18, 5:00 PM EST
Opportunity box of books about mushrooms
by Ripley Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$506 Bids
Delabar, G.
Feb 14, 1:30 PM CET
Delabar, G.
by Schneider-Henn
Est: €100- €200
€4806 Bids
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SMOKEY JONES BULL HOOKS
Feb 15, 11:00 AM EST
SMOKEY JONES BULL HOOKS
by Freedom Auction Company
Est: $200- $400
$805 Bids
Twenty Six Volumes; Charles Dickens, Various Works, Chapman & Hall, Leather Bindings
Feb 23, 2:00 PM AEDT
Twenty Six Volumes; Charles Dickens, Various Works, Chapman & Hall, Leather Bindings
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD1405 Bids
Arno Breker Der Prophet des Schönen
Feb 20, 10:00 AM CET
Arno Breker Der Prophet des Schönen
by Auktionshaus Mehlis GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€605 Bids
A large quantity of books over three shelves
Feb 16, 7:00 PM AEDT
A large quantity of books over three shelves
by Lawsons
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD455 Bids
A shelf lot of vintage books to include Dickens in 15 vols and others
Feb 16, 7:00 PM AEDT
A shelf lot of vintage books to include Dickens in 15 vols and others
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD505 Bids
A Book, Marked The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding Civilization
Feb 15, 10:00 AM AEDT
A Book, Marked The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding Civilization
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD905 Bids
A Collection of Books on Greek Archaeology - 5 Titles
Mar 06, 12:00 PM GMT
A Collection of Books on Greek Archaeology - 5 Titles
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £40- £60
£354 Bids
A Collection of Books on Cycladic Culture - 4 Titles
Mar 06, 12:00 PM GMT
A Collection of Books on Cycladic Culture - 4 Titles
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £30- £40
£454 Bids
A Collection of Books on Ancient Gold Antiquities - 3 Titles
Mar 06, 12:00 PM GMT
A Collection of Books on Ancient Gold Antiquities - 3 Titles
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £30- £40
£354 Bids
Gandharan and Silk Road Arts: The Hirayama Ikuo Collection
Mar 06, 12:00 PM GMT
Gandharan and Silk Road Arts: The Hirayama Ikuo Collection
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £40- £60
£354 Bids
(5) 1900’s Books Of Plays, Madame Beliard
Feb 15, 10:00 AM MST
(5) 1900’s Books Of Plays, Madame Beliard
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$554 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Books - General


Purcell Auctioneers

Purcell Auctioneers

Alde

Alde

Adam Partridge Auctioneers

Adam Partridge Auctioneers