The auction was a rare chance to own one of the best preserved editions of the 19th century masterpiece, with its 435 handcolored illustrations. The 19th century masterpiece, replete with count em 435 handcolored illustrations, has long been considered a crucial document about u. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month and is. Rare book the birds of america used for wallpaper at temple. A rare copy of john james audubons birds of america, billed as the world s most expensive book, is to go on. The world s most expensive book is poised to break a new sale record friday. Dec 07, 2010 to others, john james audubons birds of america is a rare blend of art, natural history and craftsmanship, unique enough to be the worlds most expensive book, expected to fetch more. Worlds most expensive book goes up for sale bbc news. Audubons birds of america, the worlds most expensive book. Dec 15, 2010 a copy of john james audubons birds of america was sold at an auction in london last week for. Jan, 2019 the original edition is not only one of the most expensive books in the world, but it is also the most common book among the most expensive books. A rare book by america s most famous bird artist, john james audubon, billed as the most expensive in the world, is going under the.
On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction in new york city. One of the largest and most expensive bird books displayed at. On june 14, one of the world s most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction in new york city. On friday, christies new york auctioned a copy of john james audubons birds of america, which already holds the title of most valuable printed book in the world.
The codex leicester see this video to know how these books are. A copy of one of the most soughtafter books on birds ever created is up for auction at christies new york, where. In 1827, lady isabella hertford cut up her copy of the mammoth 39. Worlds most expensive book to go under the hammer reuters. Can you think of any book that can be sold in millions of dollars.
The world record for the most expensive book ever sold is a science book. Dec 08, 2010 a copy of the worlds most expensive printed book has sold at auction for. At sothebys auction house in london, up on the block was audubons masterpiece, the birds of america, one of the largest and rarest books in the world. Other books featured multiple times on the list are the gutenberg bible, the first folio of shakespeare s plays and the north american indian with four separate copies.
Sep 09, 2010 image caption only 119 complete copies of the birds of america are known to exist. The book, which was sold by the auction house sothebys, was purchased by micahel tollemache, a london art dealer who was present in the room. A copy of one of the most soughtafter books on birds ever created is up for auction at. Jan 27, 2016 the world s most expensive and lifesize collectors book. Worlds most expensive book has collectors chirping. So lets have a look at the most expensive books that have been sold all around the world. The huge book contains 1,000 lifesized illustrations of almost 500 breeds of bird and took wildlife artist audubon 12 years to complete. Birds of america is also very likely the worlds most expensive wall covering. Most expensive ever sold books in the world top ten. The london art dealer michael tollemache bought it in 2010 paying 8. Dec 07, 2010 a copy of john james audubons birds of america tonight became the most expensive book ever sold when it went under the hammer at sothebys for. A rare copy of john james audubons birds of america, billed as the worlds most expensive book, is to go on sale at sothebys, it has been announced. Jan 19, 2012 the worlds most expensive book is poised to break a new sale record friday. The most expensive books in the world readers digest.
Two other copies of the book also raked in big money in the twentieth century. Rare birds of america may be worlds most expensive book. World costliest birds world top 10 most expensive birds. One of the people who illustrated for gould was edward lear. Sep 10, 2010 a rare copy of john james audubons birds of america, billed as the world s most expensive book, is up for sale alongside a first edition of shakespeares plays at an auction to set book lovers. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction. A rare copy of john james audubons birds of america, billed as the world s most expensive book, is up for sale alongside a first edition of shakespeares plays at an auction to set book lovers.
The worlds most expensive bird books john james audubon s birds of america. The 10 most expensive books in the world the atlantic. There are 10 other surviving copies of the bay psalm book besides the one auctioned off tuesday evening. Birds of america becomes worlds most expensive book. Grab your wallet, here are the most expensive books ever sold.
The auction was a rare chance to own one of the best preserved editions of the 19th century masterpiece, with its 435 handcoloured illustrations, seen as a key volume on us natural history. To others, john james audubons birds of america is a rare blend of art, natural history and craftsmanship, unique enough to be the worlds most expensive book, expected to fetch more. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. The book received huge appreciations for capturing birds which are now extinct. Audubons birds of america, the worlds most expensive.
Audobon created the 435 lifesize bird watercolors that were eventually turned into birds of america between 1827 and 1838. The worlds 10 most expensive books ever sold forbes. Yes, some people have spent such a huge amount just for a single book. Rare book the birds of america used for wallpaper at. Nov 05, 2014 the world s 10 most expensive books ever sold. Top 5 most expensive books in the world amazing facts. The copy had been previously sold in 1999 in london for 9. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch. Worlds most expensive book to be auctioned telegraph.
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