The Most Valuable Signed Books Ever Sold

These days, the value derived from collector’s items cannot merely be measured in monetary terms. Whether you are an investor in contemporary art, fine wines or classic cars, the pleasure of owning such a rare or beautiful item is priceless.

When it comes to the market for books, many people collect signed books as an autograph from the author not only adds a personal touch which can mean so much to the reader but it can also increase the value of the book, turning it into a collectible item.

If you are keen to amass a library filled with your favorite collection of signed books either for your own personal satisfaction, posterity, or for financial gain, read on to learn about some of the most valuable signed books ever sold.

Ulysses, James Joyce

Ulysses is widely regarded as one of the 20th century’s literary masterpieces. Perhaps due to content deemed obscene, which led to its banning in both Britain and America, a first edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses is a rare find. This may account for why it holds the record for the most valuable signed book ever sold. A rare, first edition of this book which was signed by its influential and critically acclaimed author sold for $460,500 at auction in 2002.

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

This literary classic was the American author’s third novel and is considered to be his greatest work. First published in 1925, The Great Gatsby is a highly prized collectible item and first editions of this book with an illustrated cover by the Spanish artist Francis Cugat entitled ‘Celestial Eyes’, makes it one of the most celebrated and iconic covers in American literature. A rare signed first edition of the book sold in 2018 for $162,500 at Heritage Auction in New York.

Ernest Hemingway Books

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954, the books of Ernest Hemingway sell for impressive figures at auction, but his signed books are even more valuable.

A signed first edition of his novel The Sun Also Rises sold for approximately €139,000 in 2014, while another of his books that fetched a considerable sum at auction is a first edition copy of For Whom the Bell Tolls which contained a personal inscription to his third wife, Martha Gellhorn. In 2004, it sold at auction for $310,400.

A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens

One of the best-selling novels of all time with sales of approximately 200 million copies worldwide, a signed copy of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities sold for £275,000 (about $398,000) in 2014. With a personal inscription to Mary Ann Evans, better known as George Eliot, the message dated December 1859, conveys his "high admiration and regard" for his fellow author.

Books By George Orwell

It is extremely rare to find a signed copy of George Orwell’s most well-known and celebrated novel, 1984. At the time it was published in 1949, the author was bed-bound with pulmonary tuberculosis and died shortly after. There were very few signed copies of this book, however, he did manage to sign some especially for hospital staff. One such copy sold for over $26,500.

Another of George Orwell’s most valuable signed books was an inscribed copy Down and Out in Paris and London which sold at auction in 2010 for £86,000. The immaculately kept copy was bought by a private bidder at Gorringes Auction House in East Sussex.

J.K. Rowling

One of the most famous authors of the late 20th century is undoubtedly J.K.Rowling and her Harry Potter novels. Earning her in excess of $1 billion from book sales alone, a signature from this author is certainly a collector’s item.

This year, a first edition signed copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was sold at auction for £80,000 ($98,848). The book was in exceptional condition and was one of 500 hardbacks printed in 1997.

J.K. Rowling’s handwriting is so valuable that in 2007 her handwritten copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard sold at auction for an eye-watering $3.98 million. Only seven handwritten copies were produced and the seventh was auctioned for her children’s charity Lumos, where it was bought by Amazon.

Harper Lee Books

This American writer best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird rarely signed her books so it is thought that a signed first edition of this classic could fetch around $20,000.

However, Harper’s publishers did release 500 signed copies of her second book, Go Set a Watchman for $1,500, which will no doubt become valuable collector’s items.

If you have a signed copy of a well-known or up-and-coming writer’s book then hold on to it. It may be worth more than you think.