For instance, charles kingsleys fantasy tale of the water babies was first published in 1863, but the first edition illustrated by jessie willcox smith and published in 1916 is the most. Since most little golden books were opened and enjoyed by readers, uncirculated books must be in pristine, mint condition and are considered rare and valuable. When it comes to the best book collectables, classic authors are highly. We spoke to the experts at peter harrington who told us about some of the genres most sought after items. Jan 19, 2006 28 harry potter and the philosophers stone by jk rowling bloomsbury, 1997. First editions of wellloved books can become the most prized in literature. Before that, children read books intended for adults, such as aesops fables, gullivers travels, and the adventures of robinson crusoe.
Childrens book values blog posts on the most valuable first edition childrens books, updated valuations, and other book valuation related information. The children s book quickly sold out three months after its release. For this list and the lists that follow lists that follow refers to lists in the children s picturebook price guide of the twenty most valuable picturebooks from each decade, covering the 1930 s up the 1990 s. Childrens books rare books and first editions bauman. Collectible childrens books on ebay the ebay community.
Original copies, called first editions, are very rare and sought after by collectors. Many editions of h2g2 are worth are worth a fair sum of money. First editions of childrens classics, including roald dahl, beatrix potter, j. List of most expensive books and manuscripts wikipedia. Twenty years have gone by since i wrote 100 years 100 books. A missing dust jacket, or a dust jacket that is in poor condition, can cut a collectible book s value more than 50%, and make it harder to find a buyer. We sell only first editions and the finest copies of rare and collectible children s books. Taken as a whole, the collecting children s picturebooks website provides collectors and booksellers with the context for specific first edition picturebooks within the collectible children s book market. And condition is doubly important when considering the value of children s books. New listing childrens book chalkabook washable rare vintage.
Most valuable childrens books you might already own. A quick dive into most highstreets bookshops these days and both the casual browser and the more purposeful seekerout of the macabre can hardly fail to miss the crime section. Childrens books continue to be one of the most popular categories of collectible books. Arthur rackham provided illustrations and its the artwork that makes this book so appealing to lovers of collectible children s books. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold. First appearing in the mid19th century, antique porcelain dolls became a popular childrens toy and are now considered cherished collectibles. Many of the rare and antique vintage children s books featured below have beautiful illustrations, and many of. There are old comic books on pulp paper which are highly collectible, and probably some series books and mass market books as well, but with children s juvenile or picture books, be wary of pulp paper unless it is a collectible wartime edition. First edition id points blog posts on first edition identification points points of issue for key children s books. Raptis rare books is a trusted antiquarian book dealer, and we maintain a wide variety of collectible and antique books.
The top 100 collectible childrens books introduction. Some of our best childhood memories involve being tucked into bed and read our favourite stories. Did you know that some of your favourite books can fetch thousands of pounds at auction. Buyers of collectible books are aware of the art of pricing, therefore understand the whys and wherefores for a particular books offering price. Rare and collectible crime fiction which are the most rare, collectable and valuable crime books. Many books were published around the turn of the last century with elaborate chromolitho covers and. Beginning of a dialog window, including tabbed navigation to register an account or sign in to an existing account. A re the books from your childhood packed away in boxes in the basement or the attic. Obviously it is easy to assess whether the price is a fair price relative to comparable books on the market.
This selection ranges from 1917 to 1969, and really is. We all have memories of those special books we read as children, and biblio is happy to present a large collection of rare and antique vintage children s books in the biblio rare book room. Good to look out for at book swaps and garage sales. Arthur rackham provided illustrations and its the artwork that makes this book so appealing to lovers of collectible childrens books. Most valuable first edition childrens books collecting, identifying. Rare first edition of one of the most popular and enduring childrens books ever written, inscribed by the author. Childrens books grew popular in london in the mid1700s, and included moral stories, religious hymns, didactic literature, and poetry.
We scoured our vast selection of vintage books for the most beautiful dust jackets, and soon discovered that selecting just 30 was a nearly impossible task. From the 20th century and earlier, enjoy these beautiful, collectable children s books. The top 100 collectible childrens books introduction and. And condition is perhaps even more critical than in hardcovers. Mar 14, 2011 buyers of collectible books are aware of the art of pricing, therefore understand the why s and wherefore s for a particular book s offering price. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a. Johannes gutenberg, printed 1456, 180 copies known to exist. As per cc s suggestion, a thread for relatively higher dollar children s books sold on ebay and the ensuing discussions. Discover recipes, home ideas, style inspiration and other ideas to try. First edition id points blog posts on first edition identification points points of issue for key childrens books.
May 10, 2017 the most valuable rare books in existence. Rare first editions, signed and inscribed copies, deluxe and collectible editions of books, pamphlets, and ephemera relating to books written for children or juveniles. The range is in the 30%to40% of the retail price one would offer from either a booksonly site or a booksellers website. I totally need the copy of the the wonderful wizard of oz in my life. Humble children s books from years past can be immensely valuable, but only if they are the right edition in the right condition. Most valuable childrens books you might already own collectable. Rare books for sale, buy antique books from alibris. Top 50 rare and valuable books the following books are considered by many collectors to be the most rare and valuable. Collectible authors and themes obviously add to value. Apr 10, 2011 best in childrens rare books by the bookworm on april 10, 2011 art of the book, childrens rare books between 1957 and 1961, nelson doubleday publishers, contributed the most amazing childrens books encapsulating the classical stories of the time with contributions by some of the better known illustrators and artists of our times. Theyre so valuable that buyers can pay thousands of pounds more than what the book. The previous post featured classic childrens books from the 19th century by lewis carroll, charles dickens, mark twain, robert louis stevenson, rudyard kipling, carlo collodi, and frances hodgson burnett. If youre looking for first edition or rare childrens books online, youve come to the right place.
Rare first edition of one of the most popular and enduring children s books ever written, inscribed by the author. Probably the most difficult book to find in collectible first edition condition. Some of these classic childrens books are listed twice, first in year of appearance and later in the year that the most collectible edition was published. First edition, uk issue, number 26 of 100 copies only. The dates of composition of the books range from the 7thcentury quran leaf palimpsest and the early 8th century. For contemporary collectible books published from 1920topresent, prices on ebay tend toward wholesale rather than retail. Each sold at auction for thousands, and in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars. As experts in the field, we have been in business since 1977 and members of the antiquarian booksellers association of america since 1982. The most valuable authors in vintage paperback by bruce black just as in collecting their hardcover counterparts, numerous factors lead to collectibility in vintage paperbacks. We specialize in making it easier for you to get the books. Jul 14, 2017 some individual valuable books include.
Use the search box above to find fond treasures from your childhood or that one book that has escaped your collection thus far. Childrens books rare books and first editions bauman rare. There are old comic books on pulp paper which are highly collectible, and probably some series books and mass market books as well, but with childrens juvenile or picture books, be wary of pulp paper unless it is a collectible wartime edition. We spoke to the experts at peter harrington rare books about some of the genres most sought after items. From the 20th century and earlier, enjoy these beautiful, collectable childrens books. A missing dust jacket, or a dust jacket that is in poor condition, can cut a collectible books value more than 50%, and make it harder to find a buyer.
As per ccs suggestion, a thread for relatively higher dollar childrens books sold on ebay and the ensuing discussions. Most valuable books published since 1950 page 5 the. For this list and the lists that follow lists that follow refers to lists in the children s picturebook price guide of the twenty most valuable picturebooks from each decade, covering the 1930s up the 1990s. Most hard cover books published since the early 20th century were sold with a dust jacket. We all have memories of those special books we read as children, and biblio is happy to present a large collection of rare and antique vintage childrens books in the biblio rare book room. Best in childrens rare books by the bookworm on april 10, 2011 art of the book, childrens rare books between 1957 and 1961, nelson doubleday publishers, contributed the most amazing childrens books encapsulating the classical stories of the time with contributions by some of the better known illustrators and artists of our times. Collecting, identifying, and valuing first edition childrens. This context is based upon the intermingling of two primary ingredients, the relative scarcity and the relative collectibility of the book. The worlds most valuable childrens books do you have one.
The top collectible childrens books by rebecca rego barry on july 10, 20 more than twenty years ago, antiquarian bookseller helen younger of alephbet books in new york published an article called 100 years100 books. Children s book values blog posts on the most valuable first edition children s books, updated valuations, and other book valuation related information. Youngsters can love a book too much, reading it again and again, which results in extreme wear and tear. Childrens books archives raptis rare books fine rare. See if you have any of these lying around the house. Did you know that some of your favourite books can sell for thousands of pounds. The dust jacket is both the most decorative part of a book, and the most delicate.
Though limited editions and dolls made before the 1930s generally sell for loftier. For this list and the lists that follow lists that follow. For howard stewart with all the best from ferdinand and munro leaf, with an original drawing of ferdinand also by leaf. However, newer editions would also be rare to come across at the time, due to a paper shortage caused by rationing during world. However, the term collectible childrens book refers to a book that will hold or increase its monetary value as to edition, condition, and scarcity. Which are the most rare, collectable and valuable crime books. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Youve probably read articles about all those insanely expensive and incredibly rare, collectible books like the highly covetable first edition of j. Antique and vintage childrens books collectors weekly. Arthur rackham provided illustrations and it s the artwork that makes this book so appealing to lovers of collectible children s books.