Some books forgotten on household shelves have been sold by values that exceed 400 thousand euros. They are rare editions, often published a few decades ago, which today arouse the interest of collectors around the world. In international auctions, copies in good condition have been bought by amounts equivalent to the price of a luxury car or a home.
A reduced circulation that made history
The best known case is that of the first edition of Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone, published in the United Kingdom in 1997, which is now one of the most coveted works on the collector market.
According to the Heritage Auctions auction platform, only 500 copies of this circulation were printed, about 300 were sent to libraries. The reduced number and the global phenomenon that the saga would become made the value fired.
A copy in good condition can reach between 35 thousand and 117 thousand euros, with cases that exceeded this bar. In 2021, one of these rarities was sold by more than 430 thousand euros, equivalent to a house in many Portuguese cities.
First edition of Tolkien surprises bids
The fascination with rare editions is not limited to the universe created by JK Rowling. JRR Tolkien’s Hobbit remains a case of study in the editorial market.
A first edition of 1937 was recently awarded by about 50 thousand euros, more than double the initial forecast. And there are copies signed by the author who have already exceeded 160 thousand euros.
Literary classics with unexpected values
Among the classics that challenge expectations is Jane Austen’s pride and prejudice. First editions of this work have already been sold for more than 162 thousand euros.
In Portugal, there is no shortage of examples of valuable rarities. Original works by Fernando Pessoa, as a message in its 1934 edition, can reach values between 1 170 and 5 850 euros, increasing in price when including handwritten dedications.
What determines the price
The value of a book depends on several factors: initial circulation, condition, demand and unique characteristics, such as printing errors or autographs. Limited editions or restricted distribution tend to be the most valued.
Experts referred to by the advice that, in the face of suspicion of having a rare work, appeal to accredited evaluators or consult specialized international platforms such as ABEBooks or Biblio.
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