Most expensive sales in 2025

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz stands among history's most brilliant minds - a revolutionary mathematician who independently developed calculus, a philosopher who conceived the concept of "the best of all possible worlds," and a pioneer in logic and computer science.

This engaging 1710 letter to Scottish lawyer Thomas Burnett demonstrates his wide-ranging intellect, offering witty observations on British politics and religious controversies of the time. Writing in elegant French, Leibniz comments on Queen Anne's leadership and shares his concerns about religious dissent, providing a fascinating glimpse into both his personal correspondence and the intellectual climate of early 18th-century Europe.

Sold by Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH

A long, humorous, and typically comprehensive letter by the man often called the last universal genius, and one of the great epistolographers of all time.

Christopher Frey (Antiquariat Inlibris)

This remarkable first edition set of Tolkien's masterwork represents a pinnacle of both content and craftsmanship. The volumes are custom-bound in full red morocco by Temple Bookbinders (bookbinders to HM Queen Elizabeth), featuring gilt-stamped Ring motifs and JRRT designs.

The Fellowship of the Ring is one of just 3,000 first impression copies, while The Two Towers and The Return of the King are first states from their respective print runs of 3,250 and 7,000. All volumes retain their original maps and are exceptionally clean throughout.

Sold by Tobo Books

Discover our guide to collecting J.R.R. Tolkien's books.

I felt so privileged to handle this beautiful example of a first edition set of Tolkien's classic work. I have a personal reason for being delighted - I first read The Lord of the Rings when I was 8 years old, and in the nature of the true nerd, I read it every year till I was 17. Its richness and Tolkien's brilliance as a linguist, philologist and popular writer make it truly exceptional. I am always looking for excellent works by Tolkien, and for me thus far in my bookselling career this set stands out. With its gorgeous custom binding and signature, it is a particularly fine homage to his legacy.

Matt Wingett (Tobo Books)

This exceptional first edition, signed by Oscar Wilde himself, represents one of just 250 copies printed on watermarked Van Gelder laid handmade paper. Advertised in The Athenaeum on 16 May 1891 as the Edition de Luxe, this signed limited edition stands as a genuine highspot of the era.

The binding is near fine, featuring deep forest green morocco with no fading or browning to the spine. Marbled endpapers and gilt dentelles complement the all-edges-gilt treatment. The text is remarkably clean with only a few faint spots and no tears or folds throughout. Previously sold at Christie's London in April 1991, this copy exemplifies the finest state of Wilde's masterwork.

Sold by Blue Sky Rare Books

This exquisite Art Deco masterpiece represents the pinnacle of 1920s French book design. Master craftsman François-Louis Schmied created the sophisticated leather binding, while celebrated fashion illustrator Georges Barbier contributed 42 hand-colored illustrations.

The volume features luminous aqua leather interior panels, shimmering gold silk endpapers, and meticulous artistic details throughout. Coming from two important private libraries, this edition of Pierre Louÿs' sensual poetry exemplifies the height of luxury bookmaking between the wars.

Sold by Phillip J. Pirages Rare Books

This extraordinary revised proof represents a pivotal moment in literary history—Waugh's final approval before publication of his magnum opus. Signed on the title page in April 1945, this proof incorporates editorial amendments (in another hand) that were all adopted in the first edition published on 28 May 1945.

The proof documents Waugh's remarkable editing process: after submitting his typescript in June 1944, he revised page proofs parachuted into Yugoslavia with help from Randolph and Winston Churchill. Following feedback from 50 pre-publication copies, Waugh made significant changes including rewriting the ending.

Sold by Lucius Books

One of the great privileges of being a rare bookseller is serving as the temporary custodian of outstanding literary treasures, even if only briefly. This pre-publication production of Waugh’s masterpiece, approved and signed by the author under extraordinary circumstances, embodies British wartime grit and determination.

James Hallgate (Lucius Books)

This landmark 1723 first edition established the rules and regulations that would guide Freemasonry for nearly two centuries. Written by James Anderson for London's Grand Lodge, it contains the first printed Masonic constitution, historical background, and traditional songs with musical scores.

Benjamin Franklin would later print America's first edition in 1734, and translations soon appeared across Europe. This copy includes period Masonic songs handwritten on blank leaves, making it an extraordinary artifact of early organized Freemasonry.

Sold by Asher Rare Books

We were thrilled to have discovered this very rare first edition, one of the earliest printed works on Freemasonry, made even more extraordinary by the inclusion of an unpublished 18th-century manuscript Masonic poem in English. It’s a unique window into the secretive world of early Masonic thought and tradition, preserved through both print and personal inscription.

Laurens Hesselink

This rare first printing of Freemasonry's defining text is complete with its allegorical frontispiece, musical scores, and detailed organizational guidelines. Published in London during 'the Year of Masonry 5723' (1723), it presents the first codified rules for lodge governance, behavioral standards, and ceremonial practices.

The work includes distinctive features such as 'The Master's Song,' 'The Warden's Song,' and detailed instructions for constituting new lodges. This copy retains its period table of contents handwritten on the original endpaper.

Sold by Librairie de l'Univers

First published in 1922, The Velveteen Rabbit has become one of the most beloved children's stories of all time. This rare and fragile first edition is particularly notable for its seven color illustrations, some double-page, each with its original printed caption. The endpapers feature delightful drawings of rabbits.

This exceptional copy retains its paper-covered boards with Nicholson's illustrations and original publisher's pictorial dustwrapper with matching design. It presents in near-fine condition, with only a short split to the foot of the upper joint and light spotting to early pages. The dustwrapper, while showing a small chip to the spine foot and minor fraying, remains remarkably well-preserved for such a delicate publication.

Sold by Jonkers Rare Books

The Velveteen Rabbit has struck a chord with child and adult readers alike since its original publication in 1922, with its combination of Margery Bianco Williams’s underlying message and William Nicholson’s striking double page colour illustrations, which work in harmony with the text. The first edition is both rare and inherently fragile so copies in such exemplary condition are very seldom found. In thirty years as a specialist in rare children’s books this is only the fourth such copy we have sold.

Christiaan Jonkers (Jonkers Rare Books)

A landmark first edition of Freud's 'The Interpretation of Dreams' represents the birth of psychoanalysis. Published in 1900 (though dated 1899), the work introduces fundamental concepts like the unconscious mind, dream symbolism, and the Oedipus complex.

Complete with its three original diagrams, this copy comes from the library of Dr. George B. Wilbur, editor of the influential journal American Imago. The book's revolutionary theories about the meaning of dreams transformed our understanding of human psychology.

Sold by B & L Rootenberg Rare Books

This extraordinary matched set (#180) of Stephen King's epic Dark Tower series represents the complete limited editions, including all seven main volumes plus 'The Little Sisters of Eluria.' Each book is signed by King and its respective artist, including celebrated illustrators Michael Whelan and Bernie Wrightson.

Most volumes remain unopened in their original shrinkwrap, with print runs varying from 500 to 1,500 copies.

Sold by John W. Knott, Jr, Bookseller

The Dark Tower is a series that many people are familiar with, and assembling a complete set is not too difficult for Stephen King collectors. What is difficult, though, is getting a matched numbered set of the signed editions in perfect condition. There are only 500 copies of the first limited book, so although limitation runs were higher with succeeding titles, there can only be matched sets for the first 500 numbers. In addition, there are copies of the first limited, for various reasons, not associated with complete sets. Most of the matched sets were assembled by original subscribers to the press, as was this one.

John W. Knott