Most Expensive Books Sold in 2019

When dedicated bibliophiles want to purchase a book, they generally turn to AbeBooks rather than Amazon Marketplace or eBay. AbeBooks was founded in Victoria, British Columbia, as the Advanced Book Exchange in 1995 by four bibliophiles. The company was acquired by Amazon in 2008. The site lists more than 140 million books from thousands of independent booksellers, many former brick-and-mortar establishments, from more than 50 countries.

Each year, AbeBooks publishes the list of the most expensive rare books sold on the site, providing a glimpse into what books have come onto the market and what bibliophiles are willing to pay for their Holy Grails. Despite how high these numbers are, they pale in comparison to the price that bibliophiles pay for exceptionally rare and valuable books that are only sold at auction or through private broker sales.

(1) The Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln (1905) by Abraham Lincoln, $40,000
This is one of 50 copies of a 12 volume set that features engraved portraits, views and maps, photogravures, and facsimile letters.

(2) Harry Potter Series, Deluxe Set by J.K. Rowling, $38,560
Each of the seven volumes in this set is signed by J.K. Rowling. This is the most expensive set of this series ever sold on AbeBooks.

(3) The Maltese Falcon (1930) by Dashiell Hammett, $25,000
A first edition published by Knopf with original dust jacket with tears on the top portion of the spine.

(4) The Writings of Mark Twain (1899-1902) by Mark Twain, $25,000
A set of 25 volumes bound in leather by the American Publishing Company. This is a limited edition, one of 512 (500 were numbered, 12 were lettered and reserved for the author); this is set “B.” Volume 1 is signed by the author.

(5) The Canterbury Tales (1735) by Geoffrey Chaucer – $19,752
This is a facsimile of an early 15th century illuminated manuscript, known as the New Ellesmere Chaucer, found in the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. The facsimile is part of a 1995 deluxe limited edition of 50 published by Huntington Library Press and the Yushodo Company.

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