A Bookshelf Goldmine! How much could your book collection be worth?
Having spent more time at home than ever before, we’ve also had more opportunity to appreciate the spaces we live in. However, spending more time at home has also spurred us on to finally get round to some of the jobs we’ve been putting off and, whether it’s a late spring clean, a decluttering job that’s been long avoided or if you’re just after a bit more space, now could be the perfect time for both your home – and your bank balance!
The first place to start? Your bookshelf.
Many avid readers have been collecting their favourite books since childhood. You may have had your own family favourites passed down to you through generations. And, as the UK’s national Share-a-Story month kicks off this May, there’s never been a better time to share a story whilst potentially boosting your savings.
But how valuable could your treasured first editions be worth in 2021? The team at Haddonstone has been finding out. From Harry Potter to The Gruffalo, we’ve analysed the highest ‘sold’ listings on eBay, and can reveal if you have a literary nest egg sitting on your bookshelf.
1 – J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit First Edition, 4th Print
Up to £11,995.00
This was the fourth (and last) issue of the first edition, and was printed on war-time thin paper. The story of Bilbo Baggins is as famous as the Lord of the Rings trilogy itself, and the first edition is so in-demand it’s now worth a small fortune.
2 – Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone Hardback First Edition, 2nd Print
Up to £9,600
Hogwart’s most famous student, Harry Potter, could help fetch you almost £10,000. Were you at the front of the bookshop queue when this was first released?
3 – The Savoy Cocktail Book First Edition, 1930
Up to £2,340
This book features the most famous tipples and cocktail recipes from The Savoy Hotel in London. This fascinating record has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
4 – The Beano Book – First Edition, 1940
Up to £3,999.99
The Beano introduced us all to Dennis the Menace. And if you have one of these gems, it could introduce thousands of extra pounds to your bank account too!
5 – Lord of the Rings Trilogy, First Editions
Up to £7,500
Got this set of three beautifully bound leather books sitting on your shelf? Keep them somewhere safe, they are increasing in value every year!
6 – A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens, First Edition
Up to £2,250
It’s also tale of more than two thousand pounds, if recent eBay sales for this Dickens classic are to be believed.
7 – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, First Edition, 1998
Up to £2,000
It may have been published over 20 years ago, but J. K. Rowling’s second book in the Harry Potter series can still fetch a pretty penny in today’s money.
8 – The Orange Fairy Book and The Grey Fairy Book
Up to £1,050
These classic fictional stories for children were originally published between 1889 and 1913. Andrew Lang and his wife, Nora Lang, wrote 25 enchanting books in the series, and these two alone are worth a thousand pounds each today.
9 – The Gruffalo – 2019 20th anniversary 50p gold-proof cover
Up to £945
The Gruffalo is a book that many parents will be familiar with, but the 2019 50p coin issued by the Royal Mint marked two decades since the modern classic was released. While the coin isn’t a book, it shows how much these 50p coins could be worth just two years on – what will they be worth in ten years?
10 – Winnie the Pooh – 1926 First Edition
Up to £850
This one had more than 40 bids, showing how in demand everyone’s favourite yellow bear, Christopher Robin and his friends are. Nostalgia at its finest.
Whether you’re a new book reader, or a seasoned classics lover, why not take later this time to visit the places in the UK which inspired some of our favourite books?
Planning to write your own novel? Many of these beauty spots inspired the authors to create the iconic stories we all know today. And if you’re still self-isolating, not to worry, some of these even have virtual experiences now!
So take a look at our top 6 places that every book lover should visit – and let your literary adventure begin!
Signed, sealed and delivered…
These books are even rarer, so if you have any of them signed, you could be sitting on a small fortune:
1 – Terry Pratchett – The Colour of Magic – signed first edition
Up to £24,000
2 – Barack Obama – Dreams From My Father 1995 – signed first edition
Up to £4,995.18
3 – Hunger Games Trilogy – signed by Suzanne Collins
Up to £2,127.96
4 – Book of the New Sun – signed limited edition by Gene Wolf
Up to £1,875
5- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban First Edition, signed by J. K. Rowling
Up to £1,750
Sit back and relax
Create the perfect outside space to sit back, relax and enjoy your favourite book with our choice of timeless stone garden seating.
Positioned on a patio, lawn or nestled amongst shrubs, a stone bench offers the ideal place for you to enjoy your garden this springtime.
Our high-quality, timeless stone garden seats and benches are available in a range of colours and styles. Contact our friendly team today or view our most popular designs here:
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