When you take a look at your attic or an old bookshelf, you will be able to discover a large number of old used books. Some of these books can help you to become a millionaire overnight. That’s because the value associated with certain rare books are much high when compared to the others available in the market. If you have old books, you should pay special attention towards this fact. In the meantime, it is also worthy to take a look at the most well-known antiquarian used books that exist out there in the world as well. This will help you to get a better understanding on how to call an old used book as a rare book or not.
The Codex of Leicester
The Codex of Leicester is a book related to scientific observations. In fact, Leonardo Da Vinci is the author of this book. He is considered as one of the greatest minds to live on this planet as well. Hence, a book written by him is highly in value.
The Codex of Leicester is a manuscript, which consists of 72 different pages. All the pages portray the mental notes that came into the mind of Leonardo Da Vinci. In addition to that, you will also be able to find content written in The Codex of Leicester with related to the medical observations. He was a person who had a keen interest towards futuristic inventions. Information about such futuristic inventions are included in the book as well. Hence, it is one of the most versatile antiquarian used books available out there.
Only one copy of The Codex of Leicester book was available. It was sold at an auction back in the year 1994 for a price tag of $30 million. It was Bill Gates who decided to go ahead and purchase this book. Bill Gates then decided to showcase this book throughout numerous cities across the country as well.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
If you have read the last Harry Potter book, you will figure out how Albus Dumbledore is handing over a first edition book of The Tales of Beedle the Bard to Hermione. This book is all about bedtime stories related to wizards. The same book creates a series of consequences, which end up with the discovery of Deathly Hallows. This is a fictional book that was included in the Harry Potter book by J.K. Rowling. However, there is a book under the same name. This antiquarian book was created by the author herself. In fact, only seven different handmade copies of the book were made. Out of the seven copies of The Tales of Beedle the Bard book, six were given to people who have helped J.K. Rowling with Harry Potter. The final copy of the book was sold in order to raise funds for a charity project called Children’s Voice.
On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres
On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres is an outstanding book that shares information with related to scientific discoveries. You can think about including the book into the list of most well-known antiquarian books as well. The main objective of the book is to share information with related to the realization of heliocentric universe. In other words, it explains how the sun is sitting at the center of the solar system. Even though it is a well-known fact by now, there was a time where people believed that the planet earth is sitting at the center of the universe. On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres is the very first book to break that myth.
This book is important due to many other reasons as well. For example, you can call it as a book that helped people to figure out the differences that exist in between science and religion. The book explains the facts related to solar system while keeping science as the basis.
As of now, only 260 different copies of this book are available out there in the world. A single copy of a book would cost around $1 million to $2 million.
Ptolemy’s Geographia Cosmographia
Ptolemy is one of the influential discoverers who lived out there in the world. He lived back in the duration 100AD. During the time Ptolemy lived, he could heavily contribute towards numerous influential scientific discoveries.
Printing press was not invented while Ptolemy was living. However, he went ahead and drew maps manually with the help of his hands. Along with that, he tried to portray the world that was known to him. If you take a look at the geographic maps that Ptolemy draw, you will notice that they are inaccurate. However, the work he did back in the day with limited access to resources is outstanding.
The maps drawn by Ptolemy back in the day are included in the book Ptolemy’s Geographia Cosmographia. You will be able to refer to this book and see how the maps looked like through his perspective. Due to the rare nature of this book, it is being auctioned at a very high price.
The Birds of America
James Audubon is one of the legendary naturalists to live on this planet. The Birds of America is one of the best books written compiled by him. This book was compiled back in the year 1820. It is illustrating all the birds that can be found within North America. Detailed illustrations of the birds are present within the book. In addition to that, the author went ahead and created a painting series under the same name as well. The copies of The Birds of America book are limited. Therefore, it falls into the category of most well-known antiquarian books available for purchase out there in the world.
Final words
You might not be able to purchase these antiquarian books. However, you can figure out why they are well-known ad why they are associated with such a high price tag.
