Are first edition books worth anything?

Speaking generally, first editions will hold the most value if they are first editions, first printings. Depending on who has published the book and what formats it has been published in, you’ll be looking for hardcover books mostly. But don’t assume all hardcovers are first printings!

Keeping this in consideration, What’s the most expensive book in the world?

You are looking at the Bay Psalm Book printed in 1640, which sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $14.2 million on November 26, 2013. The auction firm estimated the sale price would be between $15 million and $30 million – but the final price still ensured it became the world’s most expensive printed book.

Secondly How do you know if a book is worth money? The easiest way to know how much your copy of a book is worth on the open market is to check on how much similar copies are currently being offered for. Fill out this form with enough information to get a list of comparable copies. You probably don’t need to include every word of the title and author’s name.

Is first printing the same as first edition?

What and Why First Editions. A first edition is the first printing of a book. It’s true that a first edition may have one or more printings and that a second edition will normally be noted only if there are actual changes, usually major, in the text. But for a collector, a first printing is the only true first edition.

What is the rarest book?

When you look at every other book that is one-of-a-kind, and you factor in how sought after this one is, it’s safe to say that Codex Leicester is the most rarest book in the world. It was last sold at an auction in 1994 to Bill Gates for $30.8 million, which is nearly $51 million in today’s currency.

What is the rarest document?

The Declaration of Independence

The original Declaration of Independence, signed by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, is easily one of the rarest, most sought after documents of all time. There were only 200 copies of it printed on July 4th, 1776, and only about 26 copies survive to this day.

Are Time Life books worth anything?

The majority of these books are worth $5-$10 dollars, although the last one or a few that was published in the series is generally worth more.

How can you tell if a book is rare?

To be considered rare, a book must be more than just scarce; it must be scarce relative to the demand for it. Beginning collectors often assume that because a book is very old it must be worth a great deal of money.

What is the average print run for a book?

That said, the average for a hardback for a debut author is from 3,000-7,000 and a paperback from 20,000-60,000. Trade paperbacks are a coin toss. Usually somewhere between–I’ve heard as low as 9,000 and as high as 40,000.

What is so special about first edition books?

Book collectors value first editions because it’s the closest one can get to the author’s intent. The author is usually more invested and involved in the first printing process because it’s the first time their work is born and introduced to the world.

How many books are in a first printing?

A printing is one print run of a book. So if you ask the printer to print 10,000 copies of a book and then you sell them all and go back and ask for another 7,500 copies, the first 10,000 copies was the first printing; the next 7,500 copies was the second printing. Those two printings are in the same edition.

How much is a first edition Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

“The deluxe editions, with green cloth, of 1999 are also collectible if they are a first edition (prices go up to $5,000). However second printings can be picked up for three figures.”

What is the oldest book ever written?

The Epic of Gilgamesh started out as a series of Sumerian poems and tales dating back to 2100 B.C., but the most complete version was written around the 12th century B.C. by the Babylonians.

What is the oldest book ever?

The Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, is listed by the Guinness Book of World records as the world’s oldest mechanically printed book – the first copies of which were printed in 1454-1455 AD.

Who owns the most expensive book in the world?

Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex of Leicester, also known as the Codex Hammer, is the most expensive book ever sold. The 72-page linen manuscript includes Leonardo’s thoughts, theories and observations of the world, like the movement of water, fossils and the luminosity of the moon.

What is the most sought after book?

20 Iconic Books You Probably Own That Are Now Worth A LOT Of…

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997), J.K. Rowling.
• The Cat in the Hat (1957) Dr. …
• The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902), Arthur Conan Doyle.
• The Bible (1600 – 1630)
• The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book (1894-1895) Rudyard Kipling:

How much is the oldest book in the world?

The earliest printed book in the list is a Southern Song annotated woodblock edition of the Book of Tang printed c. 1234. The first book to achieve a sale price of greater than $1 million was a copy of the Gutenberg Bible which sold for $2.4 million in 1978.

What old books are worth money?

20 Iconic Books You Probably Own That Are Now Worth A LOT Of…

• The Hobbit (1937), J.R.R. Tolkien. …
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997), J.K. Rowling. …
• The Cat in the Hat (1957) Dr. …
• The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902), Arthur Conan Doyle. …
• The Bible (1600 – 1630)

What happened to Time Life Books?

Founded in 1961 as the book division of Time Inc., Time Life took its name from Time Inc.’s cornerstone magazines, Time and Life, but remained independent of both. … The company now operates as Direct Holdings Americas Inc., but still retains use of the Time Life brand.

How many books are in the Time Life World War II series?

World War II (39 Volume Set): Time Life Books: Amazon.com: Books. Comment: All 39 Volumes in one Box.

What makes a book rare?

book which has an enhanced value because the demand for the book exceeds the supply, usually because of its importance, scarcity, age, condition, physical and aesthetic properties, association, or subject matter. It is of little or no value if no one wants it. …

Are the Little Golden Books worth anything?

Little Golden Books’ value ranges from $1 to $25 Mint- condition first editions of the series that was originally published in 1942 bring the highest prices. … Some titles were published for many years. The most valuable is a first edition. Check the book’s first two pages.

What makes a book collectible?

Collectible – Good: All pages and the cover are intact, including the dust jacket, if applicable. Spine may show signs of wear. Generally, books in Good condition are not considered to be collectible grade. Collectible – Acceptable: A readable copy showing significant wear.

How many books are usually in a first printing?

A printing is one print run of a book. So if you ask the printer to print 10,000 copies of a book and then you sell them all and go back and ask for another 7,500 copies, the first 10,000 copies was the first printing; the next 7,500 copies was the second printing. Those two printings are in the same edition.

How many books sold is considered successful?

In the book’s lifetime

By comparison, the average traditionally published book sells 3,000 copies, but as I mentioned above, only about 250-300 of those sales happen in the first year. For a traditional publisher to think of a nonfiction book as a success, it has to sell more like 10,000 copies over its lifetime.

What is a good print run for a book?

When quizzed by me, a high-powered literary agent said these days a good hardcover print run is in the neighborhood of 15,000 to 25,000 copies.