Da Vinci. The U.S. Constitution. A Song dynasty letter. 
These books and manuscripts broke records.

The value of a book depends on many factors, but the ones breaking sales and auction records are those so rare and historically relevant that collectors, institutions, or investors have paid massive sums for them.

From Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester to a first edition U.S. Constitution, this guide covers the most expensive books ever sold and shares the stories behind them.

Discover the most valuable books sold on BIBLIO during the first quarter of 2026. Highlights include rare finds like Iola Leroy or Shadows Uplifted, the 1892 novel by Frances E. W. Harper—one of the first novels published by an African-American woman—and a first edition of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

People collect different types of books for many personal reasons. Some look for first editions by their favorite authors, while others collect books as part of a broader interest. In the end, a book’s value as a collectible often depends on how rare it is. This article will explain what makes a book rare:

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