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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (worth $55,000)
British publishers Bloomsbury released the first book in the Harry Potter series in June 1997. Believe it or not, only 500 copies were printed during its initial run, with 300 of those going to libraries and schools across the United Kingdom.
The first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the only book in the series that credits Joanne Rowling as its author (J.K. Rowling’s birth name before she took a pen name) and a print line number that reads, “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.” The American edition released in 1998 removed the “Joanne Rowling” author credit and also changed its title to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Without the success of the first book, Rowling might have never released the other books in the Harry Potter series. First editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone can fetch about $40,000 to $55,000 at auction, depending on its condition—recently, a rare copy sold for nearly $100,000! Check out these cheap items to buy now that will be worth a fortune later.
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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (worth $180,159)
The first edition of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was first released as three volumes, which sold for only 18 shillings (about $1.16 today) in 1813. Only 1,500 copies were printed and sold, perhaps as it was considered a fashionable, yet disposable novel when it was first released. Pride and Prejudice, however, went on to gain literary status throughout the 20th and 21st centuries with a number of film and TV adaptations.
In 2010, a first edition of the three volumes in pristine condition sold for £139,250 (about $179,870) at auction at Sotheby’s in London. The private collector also acquired a number of other literary rarities, such as A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, among others, for more than £3.1million (about $4 million) in total. Other first editions of Pride and Prejudice, however, can be priced at $45,000, depending on condition. If you love to read, don’t miss these quotes from books that are full of wisdom, wit, and truth.
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Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (worth $130,000)
Author Ian Fleming released Casino Royale, the first novel in what would be the James Bond book series in April 1953. The title’s initial run was a big success with British publishers Jonathan Cape printing more than 4,700 copies. Casino Royale sold out in a matter of a few months, as the demand for more adventures with James Bond grew in the United Kingdom.
Casino Royale became a rare first edition due to its dust jacket, which is nearly impossible to keep in near mint condition. A copy in good condition can fetch more than $40,000, while pristine copies can garner $130,000. Next, check out these vintage old computers that could be worth a fortune.