Most Expensive Books and Manuscripts Ever Sold in History

This isn’t a complete list, and probably never will be, since rare books and historic papers are always being discovered or sold. But every item here sold for over one million US dollars. These are books, handwritten manuscripts, letters, musical scores, comic books, maps, and other printed works. Some were written as early as the 600s CE. Others were published just a few years ago.

The oldest manuscript on the list is a Qur'aan leaf from the 7th century. Close behind is the St Cuthbert Gospel, which dates back to the early 8th century. On the modern end, there's a signed handwritten copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling, written in the 2000s.

The oldest printed book that sold for over $1 million is a woodblock-printed edition of the Book of Tang, made during China’s Southern Song dynasty around 1234. The first book ever to cross the one-million-dollar mark at auction was a Gutenberg Bible. It sold for $2.4 million in 1978.

Most Frequently Sold Rare Book

John James Audubon’s The Birds of America shows up more than any other title. It was printed between 1827 and 1838 and has eight separate copies that have each sold for over $1 million.

Other Repeat Appearances

Shakespeare’s First Folio is on the list five times, each from different sales of different copies. The Declaration of Independence appears five times, too, in five separate broadside printings. The Gutenberg Bible and Edward Curtis’s The North American Indian both show up four times each.

Other titles that show up more than once include De revolutionibus orbium coelestium by Copernicus, two separate printings of the Emancipation Proclamation, and two copies of the Thirteenth Amendment. There are also two different illustrated folios of the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp. Other books with more than one million-dollar sale include Newton’s Principia Mathematica, the botanical work Hortus Eystettensis, the ancient atlas Geographia Cosmographia, and William Caxton’s English translation of Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye.

Most Featured Authors in High-Value Sales

Abraham Lincoln and Isaac Newton each have three separate works in this list. Other authors with multiple entries include Albert Einstein, George Washington, Martin Waldseemüller, André Breton, Robert Schumann, and Charlotte Brontë. Each of them has two separate works that sold for over a million dollars.

 

Most Expensive Books and Manuscripts Ever Auctioned

The highest known price paid for a single manuscript was for Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester. It's a collection of his personal scientific notes, written by hand in the early 1500s. It was once owned by Giuseppe Ghezzi, Thomas Coke, and Armand Hammer. Bill Gates bought it in November 1994. He paid $30.8 million at the time, which would be about $65.3 million today.

Next on the list is a first-edition printing of the United States Constitution from 1787. It was once owned by collector S. Howard Goldman. Billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin bought it in November 2021 for $43.2 million. Adjusted for inflation, that’s roughly $50.1 million today.

Letters from Zhao Mengfu to Guo Tianxi

In November 2019, a pair of handwritten letters by Zhao Mengfu sold for $38.2 million. He was a painter, calligrapher, and scholar during China’s Yuan dynasty. These letters were addressed to his friend Guo Tianxi. They are some of the most valuable Chinese calligraphy pieces ever sold. The sale price adjusted for inflation is around $47 million.

Printer’s Manuscript of the Book of Mormon

A rare early copy of the Book of Mormon went for $35 million in September 2017. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $44.9 million. This copy is a printer’s manuscript written by Oliver Cowdery and once owned by David Whitmer, both early leaders in the movement. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought it and now holds it in its collection.

Letter from Zeng Gong to a Friend

In May 2016, a rare original letter by Song dynasty scholar Zeng Gong sold for $31.7 million. That’s roughly $41.6 million today. It’s believed to be his only surviving work in his own hand. The letter was written on the back of a woodblock printing sheet and once belonged to famous collector Xiang Yuanbian. Chinese businessman Wang Zhongjun bought it at auction.

Codex Sassoon 1053

One of the world’s oldest and most complete Hebrew Bibles, Codex Sassoon 1053, sold for $38.1 million in May 2023. It dates to the late 9th century, making it older than the Leningrad Codex and almost as old as the Aleppo Codex. Alfred H. Moses bought it for the ANU Museum of the Jewish People.

The Sherborne Missal

An illuminated missal made for Sherborne Abbey in England was bought by the British Library in June 2001 for $21.21 million. That would be about $37.7 million today. It was mainly illustrated by John Siferwas and had been in the private collection of Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland.

Gospels of Henry the Lion

This gospel book was created around 1175 for Henry the Lion and used in Brunswick Cathedral. It's filled with detailed illuminated pages. The German government and private donors teamed up to buy it in December 1983 for $11.7 million, which is about $36.9 million today. It’s now kept at the Herzog August Library.

1297 Magna Carta

A 1297 version of the Magna Carta, issued after the original 1215 charter, sold for $21.32 million in December 2007. That’s now equal to about $32.3 million. It had been owned by the Brudenell family and then the Perot Foundation. David Rubenstein bought it and later loaned it to the National Archives.

Annotated Book of Tang by Stone Wall Studio

A rare annotated woodblock-printed edition of the Book of Tang sold for $17.06 million in June 2018. That’s about $21.4 million today. This version, printed around the 1230s, includes detailed notes and was edited by Chén Jiàn. One of its past owners was Cao Kun, a Chinese general and president during the early 20th century.

St Cuthbert Gospel

This small gospel book dates to around 710 to 730 CE. It was buried with Saint Cuthbert and later recovered in 1104 when his tomb was opened. The British Library bought it in April 2012 for $14.34 million, or around $19.6 million today. It’s one of the oldest intact European books still in its original binding.

Bay Psalm Book

The Bay Psalm Book, printed in 1640, was the first book ever printed in what is now the United States. In November 2013, David Rubenstein bought a copy for $14.2 million, which would now be about $19.2 million. It was originally owned by Boston’s Old South Church.

Rothschild Prayerbook

In January 2014, Australian businessman Kerry Stokes bought the Rothschild Prayerbook for $13.6 million. That’s equal to $18.1 million today. It’s an illuminated book of hours created around 1505 to 1510. It was once part of the Rothschild family collection in Europe.

Einstein-Besso Manuscript on General Relativity

In November 2021, a 54-page manuscript written by Albert Einstein and Michele Besso sold for $13.2 million. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $16 million. It’s one of only two known drafts that detail the early development of Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp (Illustrated Page)

One page from the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp sold in April 2011 for $12.15 million. That was the auction price for just a single illustrated folio. It was part of the 16th-century Persian epic poem by Ferdowsi. The artwork is credited to Aqa Mirak. Past owners include Edmond de Rothschild and Arthur A. Houghton Jr.

Audubon’s The Birds of America

Another copy of The Birds of America sold for $11.57 million in December 2010. That’s around $16.7 million today. It’s one of only 119 complete sets in existence. This copy was originally owned by Henry Witham, a 19th-century British landowner and scientist. It was sold by London art dealer Michael Tollemache.

Waldseemüller Map

In June 2003, the Library of Congress bought the only known copy of Martin Waldseemüller’s 1507 map for $10 million. It’s the first map to use the name “America” and the first to show that the continents of North and South America are separated from Asia. Adjusted for inflation, the price comes to about $17.1 million.

Record-Breaking Sales of Rare Books and Historic Manuscripts

Many of the world’s rarest books and handwritten works have sold for jaw-dropping prices. Each piece in this list crossed the $1 million mark and comes with its own story. Some were owned by royalty, others by scholars or collectors. All are tied to major moments in world history, literature, or science.

Shakespeare's First Folio with a Personal Note

One of the most important books in English literature, Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories & Tragedies, also known as the First Folio, sold in October 2020 for $9.98 million. It came with a handwritten letter of authenticity by Edmond Malone, a major Shakespeare scholar. Mills College once owned this copy before it was bought by rare book dealer Stephan Loewentheil.

George Washington’s Own Copy of Founding Documents

In June 2012, a personal copy of the Acts of Congress, owned and annotated by George Washington himself, sold for $9.83 million. It includes the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association purchased it to preserve it at Washington’s historic estate.

Audubon’s Birds of America Keeps Setting Records

Another copy of The Birds of America by John James Audubon sold in June 2018 for $9.65 million. This one was once owned by the 4th Duke of Portland. Only 119 full sets of this rare illustrated work are known to exist, making it one of the most expensive books ever sold multiple times.

Rare Babylonian Talmud from the Early 1500s

Printed between 1519 and 1523 by Daniel Bomberg, this complete set of the Babylonian Talmud is one of only 14 that still exist. It was previously held by Westminster Abbey and the Valmadonna Trust Library. Stephan Loewentheil bought it in December 2015 for $9.32 million.

Volumes of the Lost Yongle Encyclopedia Found in France

In July 2020, two long-lost volumes from the Yongle Encyclopedia, a massive 16th-century Chinese work, were found in France and sold for $9.19 million. They were written for the Jiajing Emperor. These volumes are among the roughly 400 that still survive from the original 11,095.

Casanova’s Memoirs Sell to France’s National Library

Giacomo Casanova’s Histoire de ma vie, a handwritten manuscript that included previously unpublished sections, sold for $9.06 million in February 2010. The Bibliothèque nationale de France acquired the work to bring it into public hands.

Original Olympic Manifesto Bought for the Olympic Museum

In December 2019, a 14-page handwritten speech from 1892 by Pierre de Coubertin sold for $8.80 million. This document outlines his vision to revive the ancient Olympic Games. It was bought by billionaire Alisher Usmanov for the Olympic Museum.

Another Audubon Copy Breaks Records in 2000

A different full copy of The Birds of America sold in March 2000 for $8.80 million. It once belonged to George Lane Fox and later to John Crichton-Stuart, the 4th Marquess of Bute. The book remains one of the most auctioned high-value printed works.

Gold-Speckled Qur'aan from the 1400s

In June 2020, a rare Qur'aan manuscript sold for $8.76 million. It was written on colored Chinese paper from the Ming dynasty, decorated with gold flecks. Experts believe it was made under the Aq Qoyunlu Confederation or the Timurid Empire during the 15th century.

Luzzatto Mahzor: A Rare Jewish Prayer Book

A richly illustrated Ashkenazi Mahzor used for High Holiday prayers sold in October 2021 for $8.31 million. Once owned by scholar Samuel David Luzzatto and the Alliance Israélite Universelle, it dates back to the late 1200s or early 1300s.

Original Broadside of the Declaration of Independence

In June 2000, a copy of the Dunlap broadside of the United States Declaration of Independence sold for $8.14 million. This version, labeled as #23, was purchased by a group of buyers, including Norman Lear.

First Edition of The Canterbury Tales by Caxton

Printed in 1477 by William Caxton, the first edition of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales sold for $7.57 million in July 1998. It had belonged to John Radcliffe and was purchased by the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam in 1776 for just £6.

Manuscript of The 120 Days of Sodom

The original manuscript of The 120 Days of Sodom by Marquis de Sade sold in April 2014 for $7 million. It was previously owned by Charles de Noailles and bought by Gérard Lhéritier for the Musée des Lettres et Manuscrits. French authorities later declared it a national treasure and blocked it from leaving the country after Lhéritier’s arrest for fraud.

More Audubon: A Copy Held by Deerfield Academy

In December 2019, yet another complete Birds of America set sold for $6.64 million. This copy had once been owned by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, then held by Deerfield Academy between 1973 and 1985.

Shahnameh Illustrated Folio from the Court of Shah Tahmasp

A richly painted folio from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh sold for $6.33 million in March 2022. It was part of the manuscript presented by Shah Tahmasp to Ottoman ruler Selim II. This particular illustration is believed to be by Aqa Mirak and had passed through the hands of Edmond de Rothschild and Arthur A. Houghton Jr.

Chivalric Romance Owned by French Royals

The Deeds of Sir Gillion de Trazegnies in the Middle East sold in December 2012 for $6.2 million. This illuminated romance on vellum once belonged to Louis de Gruuthuse, then passed to Louis XII of France and later to William Cavendish.

Another Shakespeare First Folio Finds a Buyer

A third issue of Shakespeare's First Folio, printed in 1623, sold for $6.17 million in October 2001. The copy once belonged to Allen Puleston and later to the Dryden family. It was purchased from the Library of Abel E. Berland by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Francis Crick’s Letter Reveals DNA Discovery

In April 2013, a letter Francis Crick wrote to his son in 1953 sold for $6.06 million. In it, he explained the structure of DNA, calling it "the secret of life." The letter was written weeks before the public announcement of the double helix discovery.

First Appearance of Superman in Action Comics #1

In April 2024, a copy of Action Comics #1, published in 1938 and featuring Superman’s debut, sold for $6 million. This comic is widely seen as the starting point for the superhero genre.

Superman #1 from 1939 Brings in Millions

Superman #1, the first standalone Superman comic, sold in January 2022 for $5.3 million. It was once owned by collector Tony Arnold and remains one of the most valuable comic books ever sold.

Northumberland Bestiary Bought and Resold

The Northumberland Bestiary, created around 1250, sold in November 1990 for $5.8 million. An anonymous buyer first purchased it. In June 2007, it was resold to the J. Paul Getty Museum for an undisclosed price.

Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 Manuscript Changes Hands

In November 2016, Gustav Mahler’s handwritten score for his Symphony No. 2 fetched $5.68 million. It was gifted by Alma Mahler to conductor Willem Mengelberg and later owned by Gilbert Kaplan.

Audubon’s Birds of America Bought by a Library

A full set of The Birds of America owned by the Providence Athenaeum sold in December 2005 for $5.62 million. This remains one of the most famous illustrated books ever published.

Les Liliacées Owned by Empress Joséphine

A copy of Les Liliacées by botanical artist Pierre-Joseph Redouté, once owned by Empress Joséphine, sold in November 1985 for $5.5 million. The botanical plates in this edition remain unmatched in quality.

Gutenberg Bible Sells Again in the Late 1980s

One of the surviving copies of the Gutenberg Bible, once owned by Carrie Estelle Doheny, sold in October 1987 for $5.39 million. It was bought by Maruzen, a Japanese bookseller, and later resold to Keio University in 1996.

Shakespeare Folio Held in a London Library

Another third-issue First Folio sold for $5.17 million in July 2006. It was first owned by William Bates, then passed to Daniel Williams. It remained in Dr Williams’s Library in London for almost 300 years before the sale to Simon Finch Rare Books.

Mamluk Qur'aan with Royal Ties

In May 2019, a royal Qur'aan written for Sultan Qaitbay in 1489 sold for $4.86 million. It had once been owned by collector Hagop Kevorkian. The manuscript is notable for its size and detail.

Burdett Psalter Made for a Grand Master

The Burdett Psalter, a 13th-century illuminated manuscript, was created for Jean de Villiers, who led the Knights Hospitaller. It sold for $4.59 million in June 1998 to a private collector.

Traité des Arbres Fruitiers Botanical Masterpiece

Traité des Arbres Fruitiers, painted between 1804 and 1809, sold in December 2006 for $4.47 million. The illustrations show detailed studies of fruit trees, blending science and art.

Cornaro Missal Owned by Renaissance Nobility

The Cornaro Missal, an illuminated work from 1503, was once owned by Cardinal Marco Cornaro and later by Rothschild heir Nathaniel Meyer. It sold in July 1999 for $4.45 million.

Official Stone Copy of the Declaration of Independence

A copy of the Declaration printed by William J. Stone and presented in 1824 to signer Charles Carroll sold for $4.42 million in July 2021. These Stone copies are among the most accurate printed reproductions of the original document.

Mozart’s Nine Symphonies Manuscript

In May 1987, a manuscript containing nine symphonies by Mozart sold for $4.34 million. It was later given on permanent loan to the Pierpont Morgan Library by the anonymous buyer.

Original Basketball Rules by James Naismith

James Naismith’s typewritten first draft of the rules of basketball sold for $4.34 million in December 2010. Businessman David Booth bought it and gave it to the University of Kansas.

Book of Hours Painted by Simon Bening

The Hours of Albrecht of Brandenburg, created around 1522 by artist Simon Bening, was sold in June 2001 for $4.17 million. This illuminated manuscript is known for its stunning miniatures.

Another Audubon Set from a University Collection

In April 1992, The Birds of America sold again, this time a copy owned by the University of Edinburgh. It fetched $4.07 million, continuing its run as one of the most frequently auctioned high-value books.

Rowling’s Handwritten Book for a Charity Auction

J. K. Rowling’s The Tales of Beedle the Bard, one of seven handmade copies, sold in December 2007 for $3.97 million. It was bought by Amazon at a charity auction through Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox.

Ptolemy’s Geographia from 1477

A copy of Claudius Ptolemy’s Geographia Cosmographia, once owned by explorer Hieronymus Münzer, sold in October 2006 for $3.96 million. It was bought on behalf of a private collector.

Columbus Letter Printed After His Voyage

In October 2023, a printed edition of a letter from Christopher Columbus describing his first voyage to the Americas sold for $3.92 million. It was addressed to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain.

Hebrew Torah from 1482

An early printed Hebrew Torah, including Aramaic paraphrases, was sold in April 2014 for $3.86 million. It was printed in Bologna and acquired by an anonymous buyer.

Rare Emancipation Proclamation Signed by Lincoln

In December 2010, a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, printed as part of the Leland-Boker edition to raise funds during the Civil War, sold for $3.78 million. This particular copy was owned by Robert F. Kennedy.

Illuminated Grail Legend from Medieval France

The Rochefoucauld Grail, a three-volume set of illuminated manuscripts, sold in December 2010 for $3.77 million. It includes the full Lancelot-Grail cycle and was owned by Guy VII de La Rochefoucauld.

Newton’s Principia Mathematica with Historical Ties

A first edition of Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica, noted as an association copy, sold in December 2016 for $3.72 million. This scientific landmark remains one of the most valuable physics books ever printed.

The Deeds of Sir Gillion de Trazegnies

This illuminated chivalric romance was handwritten on vellum around 1464. It belonged to Louis de Gruuthuse, later passed to Louis XII of France, and eventually to William Cavendish. In December 2012, it sold for $6.2 million. Adjusted for inflation, that would be about $8.5 million today.

Shakespeare’s First Folio: Berland Copy

This is the third issue of Shakespeare's First Folio, printed in 1623. The copy once belonged to Allen Puleston and the Dryden family of Canons Ashby. It later became part of Abel E. Berland's library. In October 2001, Paul Allen bought it for $6.17 million, which equals around $11 million today.

Francis Crick’s DNA Letter

In 1953, a month before the world learned about DNA, Francis Crick wrote a letter to his son explaining what he called "the secret of life." That handwritten letter sold in April 2013 for $6.06 million. In today’s dollars, that’s close to $8.2 million.

Action Comics No. 1

This is where Superman made his first appearance in 1938. The comic is one of the most valuable ever printed. It sold in April 2024 for a clean $6 million.

Superman No. 1

Printed in 1939, this was the first standalone Superman comic series. One copy, owned by collector Tony Arnold, was sold in January 2022 for $5.3 million.

The Northumberland Bestiary

This illuminated bestiary, made between 1250 and 1260, was once owned by the Dukes of Northumberland. An anonymous buyer purchased it in November 1990 for $5.8 million. It was later sold again in 2007 to the J. Paul Getty Museum for an undisclosed amount.

Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2

Mahler’s handwritten score for his Resurrection Symphony was given by Alma Mahler to conductor Willem Mengelberg. It was later owned by Gilbert Kaplan. The manuscript sold in November 2016 for $5.68 million, which now equals around $7.4 million.

The Birds of America: Providence Copy

Audubon’s The Birds of America is a frequent high-seller. One of the 119 full sets known today is held by the Providence Athenaeum. It was sold in December 2005 for $5.62 million. That would be about $9 million now.

Les Liliacées: Empress Joséphine’s Copy

This botanical work by Pierre-Joseph Redouté was printed in 1802. One special copy belonged to Empress Joséphine. In November 1985, it sold for $5.5 million, which would now be worth around $16.1 million.

Gutenberg Bible: Doheny Copy

One copy of the Gutenberg Bible once belonged to Carrie Estelle Doheny, who donated it to St. John’s Seminary in California. It was later bought by Japanese book firm Maruzen and then sold to Keio University in 1996. The October 1987 sale price was $5.39 million, worth about $14.9 million today.

Shakespeare’s First Folio: Dr Williams’s Library Copy

Another third-issue First Folio printed in 1623, this copy was once owned by William Bates and later acquired by Daniel Williams. It stayed in Dr Williams's Library in London for nearly 300 years before being sold in July 2006. London dealer Simon Finch Rare Books bought it for $5.17 million. Adjusted, that’s $8.1 million.

Royal Mamluk Qur'aan

This rare Qur'aan was made in 1489 for Sultan Qaitbay. It later belonged to Hagop Kevorkian, an Armenian collector and art dealer. The manuscript sold in May 2019 for $4.86 million.

The Burdett Psalter

This illuminated psalter was made in the 13th century for Jean de Villiers, Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller. In June 1998, an anonymous collector bought it for $4.59 million, which equals about $8.9 million today.

Traité des Arbres Fruitiers

Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau’s book on fruit trees, printed in 1768, contains detailed illustrations painted between 1804 and 1809. In December 2006, it sold for $4.47 million, which would be around $7 million in today’s money.

Cornaro Missal

This richly illuminated missal, made in 1503, once belonged to Cardinal Marco Cornaro and later to Baron Nathaniel Meyer von Rothschild. It sold in July 1999 for $4.45 million, which now equals about $8.4 million.

Copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence Given to a Founding Father

In July 2021, a special printing of the Declaration of Independence sold for $4.42 million, adjusted to about $5.4 million today. This was one of the official 1824 copies made by engraver William J. Stone. It was presented to Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving signer at the time.

Mozart’s Handwritten Symphonies

In May 1987, a handwritten score of nine symphonies by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was bought for $4.34 million in original value, which would now be about $12 million. The symphonies included numbers 22 through 30. The buyer stayed anonymous but later gave it to the Pierpont Morgan Library as a permanent loan.

The Original Rules of Basketball

In December 2010, a typewritten copy of James Naismith’s first draft of the basketball rules sold for $4.34 million. Adjusted, that’s about $6.3 million. David Booth bought the document and loaned it permanently to the University of Kansas.

Medieval Book of Hours for a Prince of the Church

A richly painted religious manuscript from 1522 to 1523, known as the Hours of Albrecht of Brandenburg, sold for $4.17 million in June 2001. The miniature artwork was done by Simon Bening for Albrecht of Brandenburg, a powerful cardinal in the early 1500s.

Rare Audubon Copy of The Birds of America

A full copy of The Birds of America, owned by the University of Edinburgh, sold in April 1992 for $4.07 million, which would be around $9.1 million today. Only 119 complete copies are known to exist.

Handwritten Copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard

In December 2007, one of just seven handmade copies of The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling sold for $3.97 million. It was bought by Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox, acting on behalf of Amazon. Each copy was handwritten and illustrated by Rowling herself.

Early Printed Atlas Owned by a Renaissance Scholar

In October 2006, a 1477 edition of Geographia Cosmographia by Claudius Ptolemy was bought for $3.96 million. It was once owned by Hieronymus Münzer, a respected scholar during the Renaissance. Bernard Shapero bought it for a private collector.

Letter from Columbus Describing His Voyage to the Americas

A 1493 printed edition of a letter from Christopher Columbus, describing his journey to the Americas, sold in October 2023 for $3.92 million. This early report gave Europe one of its first written accounts of the New World.

First Printed Torah in Hebrew

In April 2014, a Hebrew edition of the Torah, printed in 1482 in Bologna with Aramaic translations, sold for $3.86 million. It was the earliest complete Hebrew Pentateuch ever printed. The buyer chose to remain unnamed.

Emancipation Proclamation Signed by Lincoln

One of just 27 surviving copies of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, printed as part of the Leland-Boker "Authorized Edition," sold in December 2010 for $3.78 million. This version had once belonged to Robert F. Kennedy.

The Rochefoucauld Grail: Illuminated Medieval Epic

In December 2010, a three-volume medieval manuscript known as the Rochefoucauld Grail was sold for $3.77 million. Dating from around 1315 to 1323, it includes the full Lancelot-Grail cycle. It was originally owned by Guy VII de La Rochefoucauld and later by collectors Thomas Phillipps and Joost Ritman.

Newton’s Principia with Notable Ownership

In December 2016, a first edition of Newton’s Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica sold for $3.72 million. This particular copy had ties to significant historical figures, adding to its value.

Hand-Colored Copy of Songs of Innocence and of Experience

In June 2024, a rare copy of Songs of Innocence and of Experience by William Blake sold for $4.32 million. Only six privately held copies exist. This one was hand-colored by Blake and once belonged to Charles Augustus Tulk, who lent it to Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Later owners included the Rothschild family and Anthony Blunt. It was purchased by Stephan Loewentheil.

Book of Hours from the 1440s

An illuminated Book of Hours made on vellum in the 15th century sold for $3.63 million in April 2021. It was crafted by the Master of the Paris Bartholomeus Anglicus. This copy had passed through the hands of several famous collectors, including Bertram Ashburnham, Henry Yates Thompson, Charles Fairfax Murray, and Alfred Chester Beatty.

The Hebrew Bible from 1189

This medieval Hebrew Bible was written on vellum in England. It includes the Pentateuch, the Haftarah, and the Five Megillot. Once part of the Valmadonna Trust Library, it sold for $3.61 million in December 2015. It now belongs to the Green Collection and is on display at the Museum of the Bible.

Audubon’s The Birds of America

One more complete copy of The Birds of America by John James Audubon sold for $3.53 million in April 2014. This version had been owned by the York Subscription Library and later by the Indiana Historical Society. Only 119 full copies are known to exist.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Manuscript

A manuscript of Symphony No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven sold for $3.49 million in May 2003. It was not in his own handwriting but was copied by someone else, with Beethoven’s own notes and changes written in. A private collector purchased it.

Lincoln’s Letter to the Children’s Petition

In 1864, Abraham Lincoln responded to a letter from a group of children asking him to free enslaved children in America. His reply, now known as the Letter from Abraham Lincoln Responding to Little People’s Petition, sold for $3.40 million in April 2008.

Bach’s Prelude, Fugue and Allegro

Johann Sebastian Bach’s autograph manuscript of Prelude, Fugue and Allegro in E flat major (BWV 998) sold for $3.33 million in July 2016. He likely wrote it between 1735 and 1740. It was once owned by his son Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, later by Breitkopf, and eventually Alfred Henry Huth.

George Washington’s Letter to Bushrod Washington

A handwritten letter from George Washington to his nephew Bushrod Washington sold for $3.22 million in December 2009. In this 1787 letter, Washington urged support for the adoption of the proposed U.S. Constitution.

The Gospels of Queen Theutberga

This illuminated gospel book was likely created at a Benedictine abbey in Metz around 825 to 850 CE. It may have been made for Queen Theutberga of the Carolingian dynasty. The book was once owned by collectors Guglielmo Libri and William Tite. It sold for $3.11 million in July 2015.

Lincoln’s Final Speech

Abraham Lincoln’s Last Address as President sold for $3.09 million in March 2002. This autograph manuscript had been owned by Joan Whitney Payson. It remains one of the most valuable political manuscripts ever sold.

Dune Storyboard from Jodorowsky’s Unfinished Film

In January 2022, a rare storyboard book for Alejandro Jodorowsky’s unmade film version of Dune sold for $3.03 million. The project, based on Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel, was never filmed, but the storyboard had input from artists like Jean Giraud (Moebius).

Monypenny Breviary

The Monypenny Breviary is a richly illuminated religious book created around 1490. Originally owned by William Monypenny, it was sold for $3.03 million in July 1989 to rare book dealer Pierre Berès.

The Surrealist Manifesto by André Breton

André Breton’s handwritten Surrealist Manifesto, created in 1924, sold for $2.97 million in May 2008. The manuscript had been owned by Simone Collinet and bought by Gérard Lhéritier for the Musée des Lettres et Manuscrits. However, it was later seized and removed from public sale after Lhéritier was arrested for fraud.

Einstein’s “God Letter”

Albert Einstein wrote a letter in 1954 to philosopher Eric Gutkind. In it, he shared his personal thoughts on God, religion, and Jewish identity. This handwritten letter, now called the "God Letter," sold in December 2018 for $2.89 million. Its current value adjusted for inflation is about $3.6 million.

The North American Indian by Edward Curtis

Photographer Edward S. Curtis spent more than 20 years documenting Native American tribes. His project, The North American Indian, was printed in limited editions. One deluxe copy printed on Japan vellum and signed by Curtis was sold in April 2012 for $2.88 million. Today, that sale would equal around $3.9 million.

Das Große Stammbuch

This "Book of Friendship" was put together by Philipp Hainhofer between 1596 and 1633. It includes paintings and drawings by many artists, making it both a personal archive and an art collection. The Herzog August Library bought it in August 2020 for $2.8 million, which would now be worth about $3.4 million.

Portolan Atlas by Battista Agnese

Created sometime between 1542 and 1546, this rare sea atlas by Battista Agnese sold in April 2012 for $2.77 million. Today, that would be about $3.8 million. It's one of the best surviving examples of early navigation charts.

Shakespeare’s First Folio (Third Issue)

One copy of Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories & Tragedies, also known as the First Folio, was sold in May 2016 to a private U.S. collector. This specific copy was the third issue of the 1623 edition and had been passed down from Robert Edwards to George Shuckburgh-Evelyn. It sold for $2.75 million, now valued at $3.6 million.

Psalter and Hours of Elizabeth de Bohun

This richly decorated 14th-century illuminated manuscript once belonged to Elizabeth de Bohun. In 1988, the Green Collection purchased it and later donated it to the Museum of the Bible. The price paid then was $2.7 million, which is now equal to roughly $7.2 million.

Imhof Prayerbook by Simon Bening

Created in 1511, this is the earliest known dated work by Simon Bening, a major Flemish miniaturist. The illuminated manuscript, known as the Imhof Prayerbook, sold in July 2011 for $2.57 million. That figure is around $3.6 million today.

Doria Atlas

This atlas was assembled between 1570 and 1620. It mixes both manuscript and printed maps and was commissioned by Giovanni Andrea Doria. In October 2005, it was purchased by rare book dealer Bernard Shapero for $2.56 million, which adjusts to about $4.1 million today.

Hortus Eystettensis by Basilius Besler

Printed in 1613, this botanical book features hand-colored illustrations. A deluxe copy, once owned by Giovanni Faber, sold in July 2016 for $2.55 million. Today, its value stands at about $3.3 million.

Newton’s Principia Mathematica (Presentation Copy)

A first edition copy of Isaac Newton’s Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, personally given to King James II, was sold in December 2013 for $2.52 million. That copy is now worth around $3.4 million.

William Blake’s The First Book of Urizen

Only eight copies of Blake’s The First Book of Urizen still exist. Each one is printed and hand-colored by Blake himself. In April 1999, one of them, owned by John Hay Whitney, sold for $2.5 million. Adjusted for today’s market, that price is about $4.7 million.

Jack Kerouac’s On the Road (Original Scroll)

Kerouac typed the original draft of On the Road in 1951 on a single long scroll of paper. That scroll was bought in May 2001 by Jim Irsay for $2.5 million. Now, that would be worth around $4.3 million.

Qur'aan Leaf Palimpsest

Dating from the mid-7th century, this Qur'aan leaf is one of the oldest surviving Islamic manuscripts. It was sold in April 2008 for $2.48 million. Today, that equals about $3.6 million.

Biblia Pauperum (Gotha-Doheny Copy)

Printed between 1460 and 1470, this block-book style Bible is known for its visual storytelling. The Gotha-Doheny copy was sold in October 1987 for $2.42 million, which now equals around $6.7 million.

Thirteenth Amendment Signed by Lincoln

One of only three vellum "Senate" copies of the Thirteenth Amendment signed by Abraham Lincoln and members of Congress was sold in May 2016 for $2.41 million. Previously, it was part of the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s collection. Adjusted for inflation, it’s now worth about $3.2 million.

The Gutenberg Bible

Printed sometime between 1450 and 1455, the Gutenberg Bible was the first major book printed using movable type. One copy, owned by the Pforzheimer Foundation, sold in 1978 to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin for $2.4 million. That price now equals about $11.6 million after adjusting for inflation. Another copy, held by the General Theological Seminary in New York, was sold in April 1978 to Bernard H. Breslauer. He purchased it for the Württemberg State Library in Stuttgart for the same price - about $10.6 million in today’s money.

Copernicus and the Heliocentric Model

In July 2016, a rare copy of Narratio Prima by Georg Joachim Rheticus sold for $2.4 million. Adjusted, that’s about $3.1 million. This was the first printed account of Copernicus’s heliocentric theory, published in 1540.

Another work related to Copernicus, his De revolutionibus orbium coelestium from 1543, sold in June 2008. Printed in Nuremberg by Johann Petreius, this first edition once belonged to Nicolas-Joseph Foucault and later Myron Prinzmetal. The sale price was $2.21 million, worth about $3.2 million today.

Religious Manuscripts

A richly decorated Machzor, a Jewish prayer book written on vellum in Florence during the 1490s, sold in May 2011 for $2.4 million. Today, that would be about $3.3 million. A 13th-century Qur'aan signed by Yahya Bin Muhammad Inn 'Umar, likely created in Mesopotamia, brought in $2.34 million at auction in October 2007. Adjusted, that’s roughly $3.5 million.

Shakespeare’s First Folio

In December 2010, a third-issue First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays, Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories & Tragedies, sold for $2.36 million. The copy had been owned by Lord Hesketh. Today, that sale would be worth around $3.4 million.

Robert Schumann’s Handwritten Symphony

Composer Robert Schumann’s handwritten manuscript of Symphony No. 2 from 1846 to 1847 sold in December 1994. Robin Lehman purchased it for $2.3 million at the time, now equivalent to about $4.9 million.

The Archimedes Palimpsest

A 10th-century manuscript containing works by Archimedes sold in October 1998 for $2.2 million. This palimpsest includes On the Equilibrium of Planes, On Floating Bodies, and other early scientific texts. Today, that price equals about $4.2 million.

Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation

Only 27 copies of the Leland-Boker "Authorized Edition" of the Emancipation Proclamation still exist. One copy, signed by Abraham Lincoln and William H. Seward, sold in May 2016 for $2.17 million. That’s about $2.8 million in today’s money.

The Almanac Book of Hours

A richly illuminated Book of Hours made in the 1490s for Marie de Balsac sold in July 2020. This vellum manuscript, created by the Master of the Monypenny Breviary, went for $2.13 million, equal to about $2.6 million now.

First Map of the United States

Abel Buell’s A New and Correct Map of the United States of North America was the first map of the U.S. printed in America after the 1783 peace treaty. It once belonged to William L. Dayton and the New Jersey Historical Society. In December 2010, it sold for $2.1 million, worth around $3 million now.

Einstein and Szilard’s Nuclear Warning

In March 2002, a typed letter written by Leo Szilard and signed by Albert Einstein sold for $2.1 million. This 1939 letter warned U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Nazi Germany might be developing nuclear weapons. It urged the U.S. to launch its own atomic research. That sale equals about $3.7 million today.

Declaration of Independence Broadside by John Rogers

A rare printing of the Declaration of Independence, made by John Rogers and based on the version published in the Pennsylvania Evening Post, sold in May 2022 for $2.1 million. Adjusted for inflation, that’s around $2.3 million today. This copy dates back to 1776 and was printed right after the United States declared independence.

Bob Dylan’s Handwritten Lyrics for “Like a Rolling Stone”

Bob Dylan’s handwritten working draft of the lyrics to Like a Rolling Stone was sold in June 2014 for $2.05 million. Today, that price is closer to $2.7 million. This was one of the most important items of modern music history ever put on the auction block.

Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 Manuscript

In May 2014, the original handwritten manuscript of Symphony No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff sold for $1.95 million. Adjusted, the price today would be about $2.7 million. This was a complete score in the composer’s own handwriting, created in 1908.

The Great Hours of Galeazzo Maria Sforza

This illuminated book of hours was created between 1471 and 1476. It was once owned by Galeazzo Maria Sforza and later by William Waldorf Astor. The manuscript was sold in July 2011 for $1.95 million, which would be $2.7 million today.

Kufic Qur'aan Manuscript

An early 10th-century Qur'aan manuscript, almost complete and written in Kufic script on vellum, was sold in October 2007. It had once belonged to Archer Milton Huntington and the Hispanic Society of America. It fetched $1.87 million at the time, or about $2.9 million today.

Thirteenth Amendment Signed by Abraham Lincoln

A signed copy of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, bearing Abraham Lincoln’s signature along with those of members of Congress, sold in March 2006 for $1.87 million. Adjusted for inflation, that's about $2.9 million today. This historic document formally abolished slavery in the United States.

Second Printed Edition of Virgil’s Works

A 1470 edition of Virgil’s complete works, including Bucolica, Georgica, and the Aeneid, was printed by Vindelinus de Spira in Venice. It sold in June 2013 for $1.85 million, which equals roughly $2.5 million today.

Illuminated Missal from the 15th Century

An illuminated missal created between 1430 and 1435, painted by the artist known as the Master of the Prayerbook of Albrecht V, was auctioned in July 2014 for $1.85 million. That would be around $2.5 million in today’s dollars.

Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye by William Caxton

This book, Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye, was translated and printed by William Caxton in Bruges. It was the first book printed in English and Caxton’s first printed work. It changed hands in July 2014 for $1.85 million, which would be about $2.5 million today. Previous owners include George Hibbert, John Wilks, and Thomas Phillipps.

Gutenberg Bible from 1978 Sale

One of the highest-profile sales on record was a Gutenberg Bible, printed between 1450 and 1455. It had belonged to George Shuckburgh-Evelyn. This copy sold in March 1978 for $1.8 million. Adjusted for today’s value, that equals about $8.7 million. The sale took place at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz.

Watercolor Album by Pierre Gourdelle

An album of watercolors painted in 1555 by Pierre Gourdelle sold in 2006 for $1.79 million. Today, that would be about $2.8 million. The collection includes detailed naturalistic illustrations from the Renaissance period.

Liber Insularum Archipelagi Atlas

An illuminated atlas of the Greek Islands, Liber Insularum Archipelagi, created around 1450 by Cristoforo Buondelmonti, went up for sale in April 2012. It brought in $1.76 million at the time, worth about $2.4 million today. It was previously owned by Thomas Phillipps.

Double Plate Artwork from Tintin

A rare double plate from the Tintin comic King Ottokar’s Sceptre, created by Hergé in 1939, sold in October 2015 for $1.73 million. Today, that would be about $2.3 million. Original comic art from Hergé is extremely valuable, especially for early works.

The Birds of America Copy from Buffalo Library

One of the few surviving full copies of The Birds of America by John James Audubon, originally held by the Young Men’s Association of the City of Buffalo, was sold in April 1997. It brought in $1.71 million. Adjusted for inflation, that equals about $3.3 million now. Only 119 complete copies are known to exist.

Isaac Newton’s Edits to Principia Mathematica

Isaac Newton’s personal handwritten edits to his groundbreaking Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica sold for $1.7 million in July 2021. These revisions covered three sections of the first edition and were once owned by his colleague David Gregory. Today, they’re valued at over $2.1 million when adjusted for inflation.

Wycliffe’s Middle English New Testament

A 15th-century vellum copy of the New Testament, translated into Middle English by John Wycliffe and John Purvey, sold for $1.69 million in December 2016. Previously owned by Alexander Peckover and explorer Apsley Cherry-Garrard, this rare religious manuscript is worth about $3.3 million today.

Illustrated Shahnameh from Shah Tahmasp

An illustrated folio from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, created around 1530 to 1540, brought in $1.67 million at a 2006 auction. Commissioned by Shah Tahmasp and later gifted to Ottoman ruler Selim II, the artwork was attributed to Aqa Mirak. It once belonged to Edmond de Rothschild and Arthur A. Houghton Jr. Its value now sits at $2.6 million.

French Translation of De Proprietatibus Rerum

A 1390 manuscript titled Le livre des propriétés des choses, translated into French by Jean Corbechon for Charles V of France, sold in July 2010 for $1.67 million. Originally a Latin encyclopedia by Bartholomeus Anglicus, the book is now worth about $2.4 million adjusted for today.

Vesalius’ Human Anatomy in Color

Andreas Vesalius’s De humani corporis fabrica, printed in 1543, is famous for its detailed human anatomy illustrations. The only known fully colored copy, likely presented to Charles V, sold in March 1998 for $1.65 million. Today, it's valued at $3.2 million.

Jane Austen’s Unfinished Novel, The Watsons

A handwritten draft of The Watsons, an unfinished novel by Jane Austen, sold in July 2011 for $1.6 million. The manuscript was originally owned by her sister Cassandra. Its value has now risen to around $2.2 million.

Original Apple Computer Contract

The 1976 Apple Computer contract, signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne, brought in $1.59 million when it sold in December 2011. This historic document marks the founding of Apple. Its current value sits at around $2.2 million.

Description de l'Égypte

A first edition of Description de l'Égypte, created between 1817 and 1830 by the Commission des sciences et arts d'Égypte, sold in May 2011 for $1.56 million. This copy was once owned by Jean Joseph Antoine de Courvoisier. Its adjusted value is around $2.2 million today.

Arabic-English Lexicon by Lane

Edward William Lane’s Arabic-English Lexicon, produced between 1842 and 1876, sold for $1.55 million in October 2014. This fair copy was commissioned by Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of Northumberland. Its present value is estimated at $2.1 million.

James Joyce’s Circe Manuscript

A handwritten draft of the Circe chapter from Ulysses, complete with edits and margin notes by James Joyce, sold for $1.55 million in December 2000. It was once owned by collector John Quinn and now belongs to the National Library of Ireland. Its value has since risen to $2.8 million.

Lewis Carroll’s Own Copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

A first edition copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, once owned by the author Lewis Carroll himself, sold for $1.54 million in December 1998. That copy is now worth close to $3 million in today's money.

Jami' al-Tawarikh Manuscript

A portion of Jami' al-Tawarikh, an important Arabic historical text by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani, sold for $1.5 million in 1980. The 59 folios came from the second volume and date back to the early 14th century. Nasser Khalili bought it for the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art. Adjusted for inflation, its value is about $5.7 million.

Declaration of Independence, Printed by John Holt

A rare broadside of the United States Declaration of Independence, printed by John Holt in 1776, sold for $1.5 million in January 2018. Only five copies from this Holt printing survive. This one was originally owned by Colonel David Mulford. Today, it’s worth close to $1.9 million.

Federalist Papers Manuscript by John Jay

A handwritten draft of The Federalist Papers: No. 4, written by John Jay in 1787, sold for $1.45 million in December 2015. It originally belonged to his sons, Peter and William. Jay’s draft gives insight into early American political thinking during the time the Constitution was being debated and shaped.

Curtis’s The North American Indian

Edward S. Curtis’s The North American Indian is one of the most collected rare works. It shows up again with a full set of volumes printed between 1907 and 1930. A copy sold in October 2012 for $1.44 million. This detailed work includes photographs and descriptions of Indigenous tribes across the United States and Alaska.

Letter from George Washington on the U.S. Constitution

In June 2013, a personal letter from George Washington sold for $1.44 million. He wrote it in 1788 to John Armstrong Sr., sharing his private views about the U.S. Constitution. This letter adds personal weight to his public legacy.

Beckett’s Murphy Manuscript

Samuel Beckett’s handwritten draft of Murphy sold for $1.43 million in July 2013. This early novel, first published in 1938, helped shape modern fiction. The manuscript was once owned by Irish poet Brian Coffey.

Washington’s Copy of The Federalist

Another standout copy of The Federalist sold for $1.43 million in January 1990. This particular copy was once owned by George Washington himself. The authors, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, are all known for shaping early American political theory.

Another Curtis Set of The North American Indian

A second copy of Curtis’s work sold in October 2005 for $1.42 million. These consistent sales show how collectors value this monumental documentation of Indigenous cultures and history.

Deluxe First Edition of Hortus Eystettensis

A colored deluxe copy of Hortus Eystettensis sold for $1.41 million in November 2001. This botanical book by Basilius Besler was first published in 1613 and is known for its vivid floral illustrations and scientific accuracy.

First Edition of Epistolae by Saint Jerome

A first edition of Epistolae, an enlarged version of Saint Jerome’s letters, sold for $1.41 million in July 2010. It was printed on vellum in Mainz by Peter Schöffer around 1470 and was once owned by the famous book collector Thomas Phillipps.

Breton’s Poisson Soluble Manuscript

In May 2008, André Breton’s handwritten draft of Poisson Soluble sold for $1.40 million. This work is key to surrealist literature and was owned by Simone Collinet.

Shahnameh Folio from the Reign of Shah Ismail II

A richly illustrated folio from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, created around 1577, fetched $1.38 million in April 2012. This Persian epic tells the mythical history of Iran and was once owned by Rudolf Martin. The artwork is linked to the painter Burji.

Newton’s Opticks Inscribed to Edmond Halley

A presentation copy of Isaac Newton’s Opticks, first published in 1704, sold for $1.33 million in December 2015. Newton gave it to fellow scientist Edmond Halley, who inscribed it with a Latin phrase showing it was a gift from Newton himself.

The Complete Book of the Medical Art

A 10th-century manuscript of The Complete Book of the Medical Art by 'Ali ibn al-'Abbas al-Majusi sold in October 2014 for $1.29 million. It’s the earliest known copy and was once owned by the scholar Baha' al-Din al-'Amili.

First Printed Atlas of England and Maps from Drake's Expedition

Christopher Saxton’s Atlas of England and Wales, along with five maps and plates from Francis Drake’s 1585 to 1586 West Indies expedition, sold for $1.29 million in March 2007. The materials date from between 1579 and 1590.

First Edition of Copernicus’s De revolutionibus

A 1543 first edition of Nicolaus Copernicus’s De revolutionibus orbium coelestium sold in November 2011 for $1.28 million. Printed in Nuremberg by Johann Petreius, it laid the foundation for the heliocentric model of the solar system and remains one of the most important scientific texts ever published.

The First Book Printed in English

Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye was translated and printed by William Caxton in Bruges. He finished it around 1464. This was the first printed book in the English language and Caxton’s first printing project. One known copy was once owned by the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham and the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. It sold in July 1998 for $1.26 million, which is about $1.7 million in today’s money.

The Beginning of Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics #1 came out in 1939, published by Martin Goodman. This first issue launched the entire Marvel universe. A copy sold in November 2019 for $1.26 million. It remains one of the highest-priced comic books ever sold.

The Hours of the Cross

This illuminated manuscript was made on vellum sometime between 1425 and 1435. It was owned by John, Duke of Berry, later passed to Beatrice of Portugal, and then to Henry Pomeroy, 2nd Viscount Harberton. It brought in $1.25 million at auction in December 2006, which equals around $1.9 million today.

Charlotte Brontë’s Childhood Book

In April 2022, a small handwritten book by Charlotte Brontë sold for $1.25 million. She wrote it in 1829 when she was just 13 years old. It’s called A Book of Rhymes and is one of 17 tiny books she made as a child. It was purchased by the Friends of the National Libraries and donated to the Brontë Parsonage Museum.

Émilie du Châtelet’s Translation of Newton

A handwritten manuscript by Émilie du Châtelet sold in October 2015 for $1.24 million. Created between 1745 and 1749, it's a French translation of Isaac Newton’s Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Her work helped make Newton’s ideas accessible across Europe.

The First Modern Book on Math and Accounting

Summa de Arithmetica was published in 1494 by Luca Pacioli. It’s the first printed book on algebra in a modern language and includes the first record of double-entry bookkeeping. A copy sold in June 2019 for $1.22 million.

Lyrics to American Pie

In April 2015, the handwritten lyrics to American Pie by Don McLean sold for $1.21 million. Written in 1971, the song is a major piece of American music history. The manuscript includes working notes and changes made by McLean himself.

John Lennon’s Lyrics to A Day in the Life

Another piece of music history came up for sale in June 2010. John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics to A Day in the Life fetched $1.2 million. Written in 1967, this Beatles song closed out their famous Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

Another Copy of the Declaration of Independence

A broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence, made by E. Russell in 1776, sold in January 2018. It went for $1.18 million. Like other copies on the list, it’s a rare surviving piece from the earliest days of the United States.

Stendhal’s Personal Diaries

French writer Stendhal kept detailed journals between 1805 and 1814. These six volumes were set to go to auction in June 2006 but were bought in advance by the French government. They are now in the Musée Stendhal in Grenoble. The set was valued at $1.17 million at the time, or about $1.8 million today.

First Edition of Frankenstein

Only 500 copies were printed when Frankenstein first came out in 1818. One of those rare first editions sold in September 2021 for $1.17 million. Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking novel helped define science fiction and gothic literature.

Einstein’s Theory of Relativity

In December 1987, Albert Einstein’s handwritten manuscript on The Theory of Relativity sold for $1.16 million. He wrote it in 1912 while developing ideas that would change physics forever.

Adam Smith’s Own Copy of Wealth of Nations

A first edition of An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, owned by Adam Smith himself, sold in December 2018. This 1776 work is a foundation of modern economics. The book went for $1.14 million.

A Persian Manuscript on Gilded Paper

Tuhfat al-Ahrar is a Persian manuscript written by Jami in the early 1500s. It’s made on paper flecked with gold and features detailed calligraphy. A copy sold in June 2020 for $1.14 million. The book is a rare example of Timurid or early Safavid book art.

Robert Schumann’s Manuscript of Goethe’s Faust

In 1853, composer Robert Schumann wrote a manuscript based on scenes from Goethe’s Faust. It’s a rare handwritten piece tied to both classical music and German literature. It sold in November 2011 for $1.11 million.

Mallarmé’s Un Coup de Dés

French poet Stéphane Mallarmé’s 1897 handwritten manuscript for Un coup de dés jamais n'abolira le hasard also fetched a high price. The abstract layout and visual style made it a landmark in modern poetry. It sold in October 2015 for $1.10 million.

First Appearance of Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15

This 1962 comic book marked Spider-Man’s debut. Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko, Amazing Fantasy #15 became one of the most valuable comics of all time. In September 2021, a near-mint copy sold for $3.6 million, adjusted to about $5 million today.

Rare Islamic Manuscript from Nahj al-Faradis

Dating back to around 1465, this illuminated manuscript features scenes like the Angel of Bounty and the Second Heaven of Pearls. It’s a double-sided bifolium from Nahj al-Faradis, a rare piece of Islamic art. It sold for $1.09 million in October 2019.

Lafreri’s Assembled Atlas of the World

Antonio Lafreri’s 1592 atlas, Geographia tavole moderne, was printed in Rome and compiled maps from various authors. This Italian work reflects early attempts to chart the known world. It sold in April 2012 for $1.08 million.

Batman’s First Appearance in Detective Comics #27

In 1939, Bob Kane and Bill Finger introduced Batman to the world. That first appearance in Detective Comics #27 made the issue a top collectible. A copy sold in 2010 for $1.07 million.

Pliny the Elder’s Naturalis Historia on Vellum

A 1470 edition of Naturalis Historia, printed in Rome on vellum, is another rare item. Written by Pliny the Elder, this encyclopedic work covers everything from biology to minerals. It sold for $1.07 million in October 2005.

First Edition of Copernicus’ De Revolutionibus

De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, printed in Nuremberg in 1543, laid out Copernicus’ heliocentric model. This first edition challenged the geocentric views of the time. It sold for $1.07 million in November 2013.

Charlotte Brontë’s Young Men’s Magazine

This miniature manuscript from 1830 is one of six “little books” written by a teenage Charlotte Brontë. It was first bought by Gérard Lhéritier, but later returned and acquired by the Brontë Parsonage Museum for $873,600. The original sale price had reached $1.07 million before the fraud case around Lhéritier.

Darwin’s Annotated Origin of Species

Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species third edition, annotated by him for a second German version, is one of a kind. Once owned by German scientist Heinrich Georg Bronn, it sold for $1.05 million in December 2017.

Curtis’ The North American Indian

Edward S. Curtis spent over two decades documenting Indigenous peoples of the United States and Alaska. His 20-volume series The North American Indian includes both books and portfolios of photogravures. Volumes 1 through 16 and one portfolio sold in October 2007 for $1.05 million.

John Hancock’s Letter on the Declaration of Independence

In January 2020, a handwritten letter signed by John Hancock sold for $1.04 million. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $1.3 million today. Hancock wrote the letter in 1776 as President of the Continental Congress, announcing the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This wasn’t just a note. It was a major step in the formation of the United States and one of the earliest written announcements of independence.

First Complete Edition of Plato's Works in Latin

In April 2021, a rare edition of Opera by Plato sold for $1.03 million. That’s $1.3 million adjusted. This was the first full collection of Plato’s works translated into any language. Marsilio Ficino translated the Greek texts into Latin, and Lorenzo de Alopa printed them in 1485. This book marked a turning point in European philosophy during the Renaissance.

Alan Turing’s Wartime Math Notes

A handwritten notebook by Alan Turing sold in April 2015 for $1.03 million, worth $1.4 million today. It’s filled with Turing’s own notes, written during World War II. These pages give a look into the mind of the man who helped break the Enigma code. He left the notebook to his close friend Robin Gandy in his will.

First Ulm Edition of Ptolemy’s Geographia Cosmographia

In June 2009, a 1482 printing of Geographia Cosmographia sold for $1.02 million, or about $1.5 million today. This was the first Ulm edition of the work, which helped shape how people in Europe viewed the world. Ptolemy’s maps changed the field of geography and remained standard for centuries.

Babe Ruth’s 1918 Red Sox Contract

Babe Ruth’s signed contract with the Boston Red Sox sold in July 2014 for $1.02 million, equal to $1.4 million now. The contract includes signatures from Ruth himself, baseball league president Ban Johnson, and Red Sox owner Harry Frazee. This was a key moment in baseball history, before Ruth's transfer to the Yankees changed the sport forever.

Illustrated Manuscript from Nahj al-Faradis

In October 2019, a rare illustrated manuscript page sold for $1.02 million, adjusted to $1.3 million. This double-sided bifolium comes from a 15th-century Persian text called Nahj al-Faradis, or The Path to Paradises. The leaf describes the two levels of hell meant for misers and flatterers, with detailed artwork on both sides. It dates to around 1465.

First Proofs of Proust’s Du côté de chez Swann

In June 2000, the first galley proofs of Du côté de chez Swann, volume one of Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time, sold for $1.01 million, or around $1.8 million in today’s money. These early proofs were given by Proust to his brother, Robert Proust. This was the first time his monumental work saw print, making it a major artifact in literary history.

Waldseemüller Map Gores from 1507

In June 2005, one of the earliest printed globe maps by Martin Waldseemüller sold for $1 million, or about $1.6 million today. The map was printed in gores format, meant to be cut and pasted onto a sphere. It’s famous for being one of the first to use the name "America" and reflects a major change in global geography during the early age of exploration.

 

These high-value sales show how rare books and manuscripts continue to hold deep historical and cultural meaning. Whether they’re religious texts, works of science, literature, or politics, their impact keeps growing, and so does their worth.