Rarest books and documents

Rarest books and documents

You may find a treasure in the backrooms of a library or in a nondescript bookshop...

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (first edition)
1997 hardbound book that started it all. I think my primary school had this edition.
Copies: 500 made, 200~ good condition

Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit
1901 independent printing by Beatrix Potter herself.
Copies: 250

First Folio
The first Shakespeare collection; 36 plays in all.
Copies: 750 made, 235 known of

The Birds of America
A book of beautiful painted American birds, released in parts between 1827–1838.
Copies: 120 complete

The Gutenberg Bible
The first mass produced book; from 1440.
Copies: 150-180 made, 49 known of

The Declaration of Independence
1776 American document of the 13 US colonies declaring independence from the UK.
Copies: 200 made, 26 known of

On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres
1543 book by Nicolaus Copernicus detailing heliocentric theory.
Copies: 500+ made, 260 known of

In Our Time
1924 short story collection by Ernest Hemingway.
Copies: 300 made, 170 good condition

The Canterbury Tales
A collection of pilgrims' stories by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century.
Copies: 90~ across all 14th century editions

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
1865 original illustrations edition due to being recalled and redrawn.
Copies: 2000 made, 25 known of

Tamerlane and Other Poems
The first public work by Edgar Allen Poe.
Copies: 50 made, 12 known of

Bay Psalm Book
The first book printed in the United States, in 1640.
Copies: 11 known of, 5 of which are complete

The Tales of Beedle the Bard (1st edition)
2007 book by J.K. Rowling, originally made for her friends.
Copies: 7

Magna Carta
1215 document written to make monarchs and governments accountable.
Copies: 4 original, 250 copies made but only 17 known of

Missale Aboense
The first book printed in Finland, in 1330.
Copies: 2

The Codex of Leicester
Handwritten notes of Leonardo Da Vinci.
Copies: 1


One of a kinds
Too many books and documents exist with just one known copy in existence.
Examples: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/mb?a=listis;c=158633464

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