Putting together this list of the most expensive sales is always one of the most interesting jobs I have. Each month there are always a few of the “usual suspects,” your Orwells, Steinbecks, and other behemoths of fiction but then there are all of the truly ancient and unique like this month’s number one, a book on horse breeding in 19th century France.
Then every once in a while I see a highly specialized scientific reference book, like this months number seven which is a reference book from 2007 about Nanotechnology. Seeing the array of what people are buying always makes me appreciate just how great the internet is for people who have very specific reading demands.
The Top 10 most expensive books sold on AbeBooks in September 2008
1. Administration des Haras. Atlas statistique de la production des chevaux en France; documents pour servir á l’histoire naturelle-agricole des Races chevalines du Pays by Eugène Gayot - $7000 on AbeBooks.fr
This important and beautiful work pictures, chronicles and numbers the various breeds of horse that existed in France in 1850. Includes 27 hand-colored engraved maps.
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - $6958 on AbeBooks.com
First deluxe edition that was signed by Rowling at the Edinburgh Book Festival in August of 2004.
3. Tibullus cum commentariis Cyllænii Veronensis by Tibullus, Catullus and Propertius - $ 6527 on AbeBooks.co.uk
Published in 1500 this tome includes the collected works of three of the most fascinating Latin love poets.
4. The Catalogue of the George Eumorfopoulos Collection by R.L. Hobson, Laurence Binyon and W. Perceval Yettes - $6555 on AbeBooks.com
An 11 volume set of limited edition and numbered books about Asian Pottery, Porcelain, frescoes, Paintings, and sculpture.
5. Lo Purgatorio di Dante Alighieri Fiorentino by Dante - $5000 on AbeBooks.de
Published in 1904 and limited to 1 of 150 copies by Nella Stamperia di Ashendene. Illuminated in gold and initial letters, and chapter marks added by calligrapher Graily Hewitt and Woodcut illustrations by Charles Keates & W.H. Hooper.
6. Kéraban-le-Têtu by Jules Verne - $5000 on AbeBooks.com
First illustrated edition published in 1883, inscribed by Verne and dated 1887.
7. Handbook of Theoretical and Computational Nanotechnology by Michael Rieth - $4780 on AbeBooks.com
Ten volumes of the most up to date information about Nanoscience. Published 2006
8. Voyage d’Italie, de Dalmatie, de Grèce, et du Levant, fait en 1675 & 1676 by Jacob Spon and George Wheler - $4206 on AbeBooks.com
Published in 1678 over three volumes this is one of the first systematic and detailed descriptions of Greece and Asia Minor
9. Songs of Central Australia by T.G.H. Strehlow - $4000 on AbeBooks.de
First edition copy published in 1971. One of only 1000 copies published.
10. Bible Verve with illustrations by Mark Chagall - $3916 on AbeBooks.de
Vol VIII. No. 33&34. Scarce copy of Chagall’s illustrations for the Bible. Includes 16 color lithographs.
Oui, je suis bien d’acccord..