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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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37 Leather Bound Easton Press Books
Jul 13, 6:00 PM EDT
37 Leather Bound Easton Press Books
by Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC
Est: $0- $0
$45016 Bids
42 Leather Bound Easton Press Books
Jul 13, 6:00 PM EDT
42 Leather Bound Easton Press Books
by Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC
Est: $0- $0
$40015 Bids
NESTS AND BIRDS AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA
Jul 13, 12:00 PM AEST
NESTS AND BIRDS AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA
by Sydney Rare Book Auctions
Est: AUD400- AUD600
AUD3757 Bids
Magnificent jewels and jewelry, (7) volumes
Jul 18, 10:00 AM EDT
Magnificent jewels and jewelry, (7) volumes
by Millea Bros Ltd
Est: $150- $250
$2006 Bids
Book Lot: Tarzan / Tom Sawyer
Jul 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Book Lot: Tarzan / Tom Sawyer
by Copake Auction Inc.
Est: $25- $50
$706 Bids
28 Leather Bound Easton Press Books
Jul 13, 6:00 PM EDT
28 Leather Bound Easton Press Books
by Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC
Est: $0- $0
$1106 Bids
Inside Bordeaux by Jane Anson, signed - BB&R Press 2020, 700+ pages
Jul 17, 4:00 PM AEST
Inside Bordeaux by Jane Anson, signed - BB&R Press 2020, 700+ pages
by Lawsons
Est: AUD120- AUD180
AUD606 Bids
William Nicholson Lot
Jul 12, 10:00 AM EDT
William Nicholson Lot
by Copake Auction Inc.
Est: $50- $75
$1756 Bids
Antique 1855 Railroad Exploration & Survey Book
Jul 12, 10:00 AM MST
Antique 1855 Railroad Exploration & Survey Book
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$1206 Bids
SLIGHTLY FOXED - THE REAL READER'S QUARTERLY
Jul 13, 12:00 PM AEST
SLIGHTLY FOXED - THE REAL READER'S QUARTERLY
by Sydney Rare Book Auctions
Est: AUD100- AUD150
AUD1305 Bids
(33) Jewelry Books
Jul 12, 10:00 AM MST
(33) Jewelry Books
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$305 Bids
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The Life and Death of Crazy Horse
Jul 11, 9:00 AM MDT
The Life and Death of Crazy Horse
by Davis Brothers Auction
Est: $25- $50
$305 Bids
Assortment Of J.R.R. Tolkien Books
Jul 12, 10:00 AM MST
Assortment Of J.R.R. Tolkien Books
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$755 Bids
TWAIN, Mark (1835-1910). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn...
Jul 24, 10:00 AM CDT
TWAIN, Mark (1835-1910). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn...
by Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Est: $800- $1,200
$6504 Bids
1945 AUSTRALIAN HOME JOURNAL
Jul 13, 12:00 PM AEST
1945 AUSTRALIAN HOME JOURNAL
by Sydney Rare Book Auctions
Est: AUD100- AUD150
AUD904 Bids
A new Atlas of Australia Published by John Sands Sydney 1886, leather 51cm x 32cm
Jul 14, 9:00 AM AWST
A new Atlas of Australia Published by John Sands Sydney 1886, leather 51cm x 32cm
by Artvisory
Est: AUD50- AUD100
AUD704 Bids
ARTHUR RANSOME
Jul 13, 12:00 PM AEST
ARTHUR RANSOME
by Sydney Rare Book Auctions
Est: AUD120- AUD200
AUD1204 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Books - General


Purcell Auctioneers

Purcell Auctioneers

PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers

PBA Galleries Auctions & Appraisers

Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.

Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.

Sydney Rare Book Auctions

Sydney Rare Book Auctions