1. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut £4,635
A signed first edition copy of what is arguably Vonnegut’s best work
2. Miniature Maghribi Manuscript of Dala’il ul Khayra by Sidi Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Jazuli al-Simlali £3,831
This copy of the Dala’il ul Khayra, the popular Islamic prayer book, was published in the 18th century AD in Maghribi script. Its author, Muhammad al-Jazuli, is considered by many Moroccans as one of the seven saints of Marrakesh.
3. Photographic portrait of Frédéric Chopin £3,756
An original print of the only known surviving photograph of the famous composer dating from 1849. This print was unknown to exist until it surfaced and seems to have been printed at the Goupil & Cie studio, around 1895.
4. The Store by Claes Oldenburg £3,400
Poster published for Oldenburg’s one-man exhibition The Store at 107 East Second Street in New York from December 1, 1961 – January 31, 1962. Based on the drawing: The Store, Study for a Poster.
5. La Divine Comédie by Dante £3,376
Printed in six volumes in 1963 and limited to 4765 copies this copy was numbered 1791. The printing also contains 100 water-colours from Salvador Dali.
6. Une Dance Macabre by Edmond Bille £2,780
One of 20 numbered original copies of the 1919 publication signed by the artist, includes 20 original colour wood engravings.
7. The National Cyclopaedia Of American Biography £2,225
A multi-volume collection of biographical articles & portraits of Americans, this edition was printed in 1984 in 82 volumes.
8. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens £2,163
First edition, first printing of Dickens now famous pot-boiler published in 1843.
9. Sein und Zeit by Martin Heidegger £1,964
First edition copy of Being and Time, one of the most important philosophical works of the 20th century, published in 1927.
10. The Jungle Book & The Second Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling £1,868
First edition, first impression of both books which are housed in a purpose made leather clamshell box. Published in 1894 the Jungle Book was one of Kipling’s more notable works which heavily influenced Scouting movement.
When I look at the most expensive books LISTED on ABE (using Advanced Search over say, &10,000) it is apparent that a number of the prices are either accidental decimal place errors, or mismatches with the seller ref. the same as the price. These book listings do not improve the appearance of the ABE!
Brian
Posted by: Brian Ameringen | July 29, 2009 at 01:33 PM