Top 10 Rare Books That Are Worth Money

In this article, we list books that are highly loved but rare to find. The books will be divided into two sections; those suitable for children and those aimed at adult readers.

Please note that the prices indicated in this article can only be fetched if the books are in pristine condition. While it’s unlikely you have any of these books in your collection it’s always worth keeping an eye out at Car Boot Sales and Charity Shops! Sometimes you can find some real gems!

Children’s Books that are Worth Money…

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein…

This is arguably the most loved fantasy books ever known. The 1st edition copies were published in the UK in 1937 by George Allen % Unwin. Although Professor Tolkien wrote this book to please his own children, it was accepted and loved worldwide with over 50 languages translations being done. The Hobbit is simple to read and a must-read for people who enjoy reading fantasy literature.

This is rare and hard to find book that is probably in personal collections worldwide, hence finding it can bring joy to a great deal of kids who love to read fantasy books.

Valuable Edition – 1937 1st Edition

Value of the book – Up to $65,000 for the 1937 edition.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll…

Alice’s Adventures is a popular and highly loved book full of puzzling nature and illogical delightfulness. This is one of the books that every parent would like their amazing children to enjoy. The first edition of this book, although short-lived due its print quality was published in 1865. Other editions were released to improve the print quality and colour illustrations. The events of Alice’s adventures are like a series of playfulness poems, a reason why this book has maintained its success over the years.

This book is perfect for children, although the hilarity in it can also help adults take a break from the normal madness of real life.

Valuable Edition – 1969 3rd Edition

Value of the book – Up to $20,000 for the 1969 Salvador Dali’s illustrated limited edition

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling…

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter has 9 very successful novels with the Philosopher’s Stone being top on the list. The 1st edition 500 copies of this book were printed in 1997. Although 300 copies of these copies went to the library system, the other 200 copies are believed to be among the crowds and would bring you a fortune if you found one.

Rowling has managed to add a unique sense of wit and charm that every child should find interesting to experience.

Valuable Edition – 1997 1st Edition

Value of the book – Up to $37,000 for the 1st edition copy

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak…

This is a classic kid’s literature that brings a unique wild experience imagination. The fun learning experience and the divulgence into culture make this book a must-read. The first edition of this book was published in 1963 by Harper and Row and was signed by Sendak.

The subtle story of the Max who misbehaves but at the same time a good boy is perfect for kids who want to learn about parental love.

Valuable Edition – 1963 1st Edition

Value of the book – Up to $25,000

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl…

Sinister undertones, playful humour and dark fancy, are perfectly combined to produce this book. The first edition published by Knopf and signed by Dahl in 1964 had 10,000 copies all which sold in 4 weeks. The songs in this book are nasty, creative and delightful all at once and you will enjoy singing them with whatever tune.

This is one of the classic pieces of literature that you will read and reread time and over without getting bored.

Valuable Edition – 1964 1st Edition

Value of the book – Up to $25,000 for the 1st edition

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams…

The Velveteen Rabbit is a delightful book that puts forward a message of being extra careful in life errands. Margery Williams beautifully combines wisdom and experience of love to integrate a real interaction between toys and people in a book. The first edition of this book was published in 1922 both in the US and the UK.

Value Edition – 1922 1st Edition

Value of the book – Up to $15,950 for the US 1st Edition

Other books that are worth money…

Bridget Jones’s Diary…

Bridget Jones’s Diary is a fictional book that has superbly expressed a London office worker’s story as both lovable and human. This book is the best-selling novel of 1996 with the first publication made in 1990.

Valuable Edition – 1990s 1st Edition

Value of the book – Up to $660 for the signed 1st edition

The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman…

The Ruby in the Smoke is one of the Philip Pullman’s Sally Lockhart Quartet. If you like to follow comic adventures, this is a perfect book for you. The detective mystery is slowly becoming a modern classic since it is now rare to find. If you happen to have all the Pullman’s quartet books, you stand a chance of fetching a fortune.

Valuable Edition – 1985 1st Edition

Value of the book – Up to $930 for the 1st edition

 

Good-Bye to All-That by Robert Graves…

Robert Graves’s Good-Bye to All-That is the greatest autobiography of all times. In just four-month, Graves had captured a full account of his childhood, schooling, the First World War in this interesting book. The first edition of the book was published in 1929.

Valuable Edition – 1929 1st Edition

Value of the book -Up to $2,500

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh…

Irvine Welsh’s best-selling book; Trainspotting is an inspiration for Danny Boyle’s film. Be prepared for C-words from the first page to the last one and a thrilling experience from one scene to another. This classic is filled with crime, poverty, addiction in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.

Valuable Edition – 1st Edition

Value of the book – Up to $3,500 for 1st edition uncorrected proof copy.

Final thoughts…

While it’s unlikely you will ever come across any of the rare editions that we listed above it’s still worth keeping an eye-out!