Ten Most Expensive Books Sold in June 2008

A first edition of William Golding's Lord of the Flies made our most expensive books sold in June list, selling for $9,260.

You can also see the ten most expensive books sold in 2007.

1. An Universal History from the Earliest Account of Time to the Present

This set includes 25 total volumes including 8 printed between 1736 and 1750 as well as 16 volumes printed between 1759 -1765. It was one of the first works to attempt to unify the history of Western Europe with the stories of the world's other known cultures.

Sold for $10,500

2. Lord of the Flies

William Golding

A first edition, proof copy of Golding’s 1954 classic

Sold for $9,260

3. Souvenirs de la Suisse – 100 vues le plus remarquable

A tourist souvenir which includes 100 of the most scenic landscapes from around Switzerland. Published by Briquet and Dubois circa 1850.

Sold for $4,794

4. The Etched Work of Frank Brangwyn

Frank Newbolt

One of 100 limited edition books of etchings by Frank Brangwyn including etchings of Brandgwyn done by Frank Newbolt.

Sold for $4,750

5. Poems with lithographs

Frank O’Hara and Willem De Koonin

One of 550 first edition numbered copies, signed by De Kooning (1904-1997). Illustrated with 17 original lithographs, bound in black goat-skin, stamped in gold and encased in a linen clamshell box.

Sold for $4,500

7. Paulys Realencyclopädie

Georg Wissowa

70 volume set of Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft,the German encyclopaedia of classical scholarship. Set includes 30 volumes in the original Half-leather binding, 21 volumes in dark blue, modern original full linen binding, 19 volumes in the original paperback binding. This is of the edition Georg Wissowa began in 1890.

Sold for $4,489

6. Deus Irae

Philip K. Dick and Roger Zelazny

First Edition, first printing from 1976, with the both authors inscriptions to the title page

Sold for $4,470

8. Opera Omina in Tres Tomos Divisa

Daniel Sennert

In three volumes printed from 1650. Daniel Sennert (1572-1637) was a celebrated German physician of the 17th century who is usually given credit for the first clear description of scarlet fever. This copy contains Brown Ink Signature Inscription of astronomer John Goodricke (1764-1786), who became deaf as a child due to scarlet fever.

Sold for $4,000

9. Songs of Central Australia

T.G.H. Strehlow

First edition from 1971, limited to only 1,000 copies. Includes Map.

Sold for $4,000

10. L'Ingénue Libertine

Colette and Willy

Classic work of The Gentle Libertine from 1909 written by the admired, and controversial, French writer Colette.

Sold for $3,600