Top 10 Most Expensive Books in the World

Codex Leicester

The Codex Leicester is currently the most expensive book in the world, worth $56.3 million. The Codex Leicester is a 72-page notebook written by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century. It contains drawings and notes on a variety of subjects, including geology, hydrodynamics, and optics. The codex is named after its most recent owner, Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, who purchased it in 1717. It was later sold to Bill Gates in 1994 for a record-breaking $30.8 million at auction. The Codex Leicester is considered one of the most valuable and important manuscripts in the world and is currently on display at the Bill Gates Science Library at the University of Cambridge.

United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is currently the 2nd most expensive book in the world, worth $45.2 million. The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in eleven states. It went into effect on March 4, 1789. The Constitution has a preamble and seven articles that embody its fundamental principles. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the President; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The Constitution has been amended 27 times; the first ten amendments, which make up the Bill of Rights, and the Fourteenth Amendment form the central basis of Americans’ rights. The Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use.

Letters from Zhao Mengfu to his friend Guo Tianxi

The Letters from Zhao Mengfu to his friend Guo Tianxi is currently the 3rd most expensive book in the world, worth $40.5 million. The Book of Letters from Zhao Mengfu to his friend Guo Tianxi is a collection of letters written by the famous Chinese artist and calligrapher Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322) to his close friend and fellow artist Guo Tianxi. The letters, which were written over several years, provide a glimpse into the life and thoughts of one of China’s most celebrated artists.

The letters cover a wide range of topics, including art, politics, and personal matters. In many of the letters, Zhao Mengfu expresses his admiration for the work of other artists and offers critiques and suggestions for Guo Tianxi’s work. He also writes about the challenges he faced as an artist in the court of the Yuan dynasty and the political and social changes that were happening during his lifetime.

The letters are also filled with personal anecdotes and observations, giving readers a sense of the close friendship that existed between Zhao Mengfu and Guo Tianxi. They also provide insight into the artistic and intellectual atmosphere of the time and offer valuable insight into the development of Chinese art and culture during the Yuan dynasty.

The Book of Letters from Zhao Mengfu to his friend Guo Tianxi is an important historical document that offers a unique perspective on the life and work of one of China’s most celebrated artists. It is a valuable resource for scholars and students of Chinese art and history, as well as for anyone interested in the artistic and intellectual culture of the Yuan dynasty.

Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is currently the 4th most expensive book in the world, worth $38.7 million. The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter-Day Saints movement and is considered to be scripture by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) as well as other Mormon denominations. It was first published in 1830 by Joseph Smith, who said that he translated the text from a set of golden plates that were given to him by an angel. The text is divided into two parts: the Book of Nephi, which tells the story of a prophet and his descendants who were led by God to the Americas, and the Book of Mormon, which is a record of the history and teachings of the people who lived in the Americas after the arrival of Nephi and his family. The book includes stories of warfare, religious teachings, and prophecies, and is considered by members of the LDS Church to be a second witness of Jesus Christ, alongside the Bible.

Letter from Zeng Gong to his friend

The Letter from Zeng Gong to his friend is currently the 5th most expensive book in the world. This letter, written by the Chinese scholar and poet Zeng Gong, is considered a valuable historical document and is highly sought after by collectors and scholars. The letter, which is written in calligraphy, is a personal communication between Zeng Gong and his friend, and it offers insights into their thoughts and feelings during a specific period in history. The high price of the letter reflects its historical significance and rarity.

Sherborne Missal

The Sherborne Missal is currently the 6th most expensive book in the world, worth $32.5 million. The Sherborne Missal is a late medieval illuminated manuscript missal (a liturgical book used in the celebration of the Mass) that was created in the early 15th century. It is considered to be one of the most important surviving examples of English medieval art and is known for its intricate and detailed illustrations. The missal was created for the use of the Benedictine abbey in Sherborne, Dorset, England, and is thought to have been commissioned by Abbot John Harewell. It contains over 800 pages of text and over 150 full-page illuminations, including depictions of the life of Christ, the saints, and the liturgical calendar. The missal is currently housed in the British Library in London and is considered a national treasure.

Gospels of Henry the Lion

The Gospels of Henry the Lion is currently the 7th most expensive book in the world, worth $31.8 million. The Gospels of Henry the Lion are a set of illuminated manuscripts created in the 12th century for the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Lion. The manuscripts contain the four Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and are adorned with intricate illustrations, gold leaf, and intricate calligraphy. They are considered to be some of the finest examples of Romanesque art and are considered to be masterpieces of medieval illumination. The Gospels are currently housed in the Herzog August Bibliothek in Wolfenbüttel, Germany.

Magna Carta

The Magna Carta is currently the 8th most expensive book in the world, worth $27.9 million. The Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter, is a document that was signed by King John of England in 1215. It is considered one of the most important legal documents in the history of the world, as it established the principle that even a king is subject to the law. The Magna Carta limited the power of the monarch and established the rights of the people, including the right to a fair trial, the right to own property, and the right to be protected from arbitrary arrest. It also established the principle of the rule of law, which holds that all individuals, including the king, are equal under the law. The Magna Carta is considered the foundation of the modern legal system and is still cited in legal cases today.

Shíbì jīngshè yīnzhù Tángshū xiángjiē

The Shíbì jīngshè yīnzhù Tángshū xiángjiē is currently the 9th most expensive book in the world, worth $32.5 million. “Shibi Jingshe Yinzhu Tangshu Detailed Festival” is an isolated copy of the Song Dynasty and an important reference book for the study of ancient literature. Its contents are mainly explanations and annotations to literary works of the Tang Dynasty, including “Book of Tang”, “Selected Works”, “Guwen Guanzhi” and so on. This book is very helpful for understanding the literature of the Tang Dynasty, and it is one of the necessary reference books for ancient literature researchers and calligraphers.

St Cuthbert Gospel

The St Cuthbert Gospel is currently the 10th most expensive book in the world, worth $32.5 million, written by Bede. The St Cuthbert Gospel is a 7th-century pocket gospel book, containing the Gospel of John written in Latin. It is one of the oldest surviving European books and is considered a treasure of early Christian art and calligraphy. The book was discovered in the coffin of Saint Cuthbert, an Anglo-Saxon monk, and bishop, in the early 8th century at the site of the Lindisfarne monastery on the island of Lindisfarne, off the coast of Northumbria, England. The gospel book is currently housed in the British Library in London.

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