Thursday, 23 April marks World Book and Copyright Day, established by UNESCO in 1995. Books have accompanied humanity through much of history and have been valued as the primary source of knowledge. Some ancient editions have survived to this day and acquired exceptional value due to their rarity and uniqueness.
Finam presents the ten most expensive books in the world.
The Birds of America — $11.5 million
The Birds of America is a work by American ornithologist and artist John James Audubon, published in the United Kingdom between 1827 and 1838. It is exquisitely illustrated: Audubon created 435 large-scale paintings depicting 1,000 North American bird species at life size. The album also includes detailed descriptions of several extinct bird species. In its time, the book became a foundational work in ornithology and wildlife conservation.
Only 200 copies of The Birds of America were printed; just 120 have survived to the present day. Its artistic value and scientific significance have made this book exceptionally valuable. In 2010, a first edition sold for $11.5 million.
The Gospels of Henry the Lion — $11.7 million
This selection includes many religious books, as they were often created using particularly valuable materials in past centuries and have survived to this day. The manuscript known as The Gospels of Henry the Lion was created in 1188 by order of Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, for the altar of the Virgin Mary in the historic Brunswick Cathedral. This book is renowned for several reasons. Primarily, the manuscript reflects the religious and cultural heritage of the 12th century and serves as an important reference to the Roman Empire. Additionally, its intricate design, artistic richness, vibrant colours, and 50 full-page illustrations have defined its exceptional value.
In 1983, the German government acquired The Gospels of Henry the Lion at auction for $11.7 million. It is currently housed in the Herzog August Library in Wolfenbüttel, Germany.
The Rothschild Prayerbook (or Rothschild Hours) — $13.6 million
The Rothschild Prayerbook, also known as The Rothschild Hours, is a Flemish illuminated masterpiece. It was commissioned in 1505 in the territory of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. This small 67-page book, measuring 25×17 centimetres, contains biblical texts, prayers, and psalms. For a long time, it belonged to the Rothschild family. The cover is executed in vibrant colours using natural elements, making it a masterpiece of Renaissance art.
In 2014, it was acquired at auction by Australian businessman Kerry Stokes for $13.6 million and is currently housed in the National Library of Australia.
The Bay Psalm Book — $14.16 million
The Bay Psalm Book was the first book printed in British North America. It was published in Cambridge in 1640. The book contains important information about Puritan religious beliefs, worship, and rituals, enhancing its religious significance. It includes works by John Eliot, Thomas Weld, and Richard Mather.
Today, only 11 copies of The Bay Psalm Book are known to exist, making it one of the rarest books in the world. Surviving copies are held at Harvard, Yale, the Library of Congress, and the New York Public Library.
In 2013, the book was purchased by renowned philanthropist David Rubenstein for $14.16 million.
The St Cuthbert Gospel — $14.3 million
Created in the 8th century, The St Cuthbert Gospel is considered the oldest intact European book. It was buried alongside Saint Cuthbert, one of England's most venerated saints, later rediscovered, and has since been regarded as a sacred relic.
This copy of the Gospel of John in Latin was created 1,100 years ago in northeast England. It remains well-preserved in its original red leather binding and was transferred to the British Library in 2012. Its value is estimated at $14.3 million.
The Sherborne Missal — $21.2 million
The Sherborne Missal is a liturgical masterpiece and the pinnacle of English medieval art. The book was commissioned by Abbot Robert Brunyng and completed between 1399 and 1407. Illustrations were created by artist John Siferwas, and the text by John Was.
The uniqueness of The Sherborne Missal lies in its execution in the International Gothic style. The book is currently housed in the British Library and is valued at $21.2 million.
Magna Carta — $21.3 million
Magna Carta is a foundational document in the field of human rights, democracy, and freedom. It has underpinned constitutions and legal systems worldwide, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United States Constitution.
It was officially ratified by King Edward I of England and signed in 1215. Only four copies dated 1297 survive to this day. Magna Carta enshrined fundamental human rights and provisions against unlawful imprisonment.
In 2007, David Rubenstein purchased an original copy of Magna Carta for $21.3 million.
The Codex Leicester — $30.8 million
The Codex Leicester is a 72-page scientific journal by Leonardo da Vinci, renowned as a legendary artist, musician, engineer, architect, sculptor, writer, anatomist, scientist, and inventor.
The manuscript's scientific treatises and artistic sketches reflect da Vinci's intellectual capabilities and his contributions to art and science. The book is filled with his personal observations, experiments, theories, and sketches devoted to astronomy, geology, water, and planetary motion.
In 1717, the book was gifted to Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester. In the 1980s, it belonged to Armand Hammer and was known as the Hammer Codex. However, in 1994 it was renamed The Codex Leicester.
That same year, billionaire Bill Gates purchased The Codex Leicester for $30.8 million.
The Book of Mormon (Original Manuscript) — $35 million
The manuscript of The Book of Mormon was first published by Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830. It outlines the religious doctrine of the Christian movement of Mormonism. In fact, only the second version of The Book of Mormon has survived. The original was destroyed by water and mould after being placed in a cornerstone of a building.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints repurchased the manuscript for $35 million, underscoring its historical and religious value. The Book of Mormon holds sacred significance for the Church and its believers.
The Sassoon Codex — $38.1 million
The Sassoon Codex is one of the oldest and most complete manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). It is the world's oldest nearly complete surviving Hebrew Bible.
The Sassoon Codex was created in 900 CE in the Middle East. It contains 24 books and over 90% of the biblical text. In 2023, it was sold at a Sotheby's auction for $38.1 million, making The Sassoon Codex the most expensive book ever sold. It is currently housed in the Museum of the Jewish People at the Australian National University.
