The top 20 most valuable books that could make you a small fortune (and how to spot a rare edition)

 

The top 20 most valuable books that could make you a small fortune (and how to spot a rare edition)

• Antique book expert has shared his list of the 20 most valuable titles available
• First edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone tops the list at £50,000
• But it must be a hardback and have the numbers 10 to 1 printed on the title page
• Work by Beatrix Potter, Agatha Christie and J.R.R. Tolkien also appear on the list 

  Harry Potter, Peter Rabbit and Winnie the Pooh are among the nation's best-loved children's books.

  But some lucky readers will have even more of a reason to cherish the titles after they were named as some of the most valuable books of all-time. 

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An antique book expert has shared his list of the 20 most valuable books that could be tucked away in attics across the country - and could fetch up to £50,000.

Matthew Haley, director and head of books and manuscripts at auction house Bonhams, also shared his advice for buyers looking to invest in rare books.

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Money-makers: A first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone tops the top 20 list and can be worth up to £50,000. A first edition of The Hobbit, right, can fetch £40,000

A first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone tops the list with an estimated value of £50,000.

But it is only worth the five-figure some if it is a hardback copy with the numbers 10 to 1 printed down the back of the title page, Mr Haley explained.

The second most valuable book on the list is a first edition of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, which can fetch up to £40,000 - but only if its in perfect condition and features a typo corrected by hand on the back. 

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Children's classics: A first edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1901) by Beatrix Potter, left, can be difficult to identify, but can fetch £35,000. Dickens' A Christmas Carol can sell for £15,000

The list features children's classics, poetry collections and fantasy favourites, and includes work by Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie and Seamus Heaney.

Expert tips for would-be book investors 

Rare finds: Look out for first editions, a full set of volumes, or titles that were manufactured as a one-off, as these tend to be the most valuable. 

A closer look: Books must be in perfect condition and in their entirety. A missing title page or spine can dramatically reduce the value.

Take care: If you are hoping to go on to sell the book, make sure it is kept in this pristine condition. 

Whole package: Keep the dust jacket. Most 20th century books need to have their original dust-jacket to be of collectable value.

In his advice for investors, which was commissioned by online antique marketplace loveantiques.com, Mr Haley explained that first editions, or a full set of volumes, can command the highest prices, as well as those that were manufactured as a one-off. 

For any book, its condition and completeness is paramount, and any damage such as missing title pages or spine, could dramatically decrease the value of the collectible.

The guidelines also advise to keep the dust jackets for the books – most 20th century books need to have their original dust-jacket to be of collectable value. 

Mr Haley said: 'Searching your bookshelves for treasures can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, but in every auction, we have sellers who are stunned by how much their old books make. 

'If you have an extremely old, rare or a book similar to the ones on this list, which is in good condition, you really could be looking at a small fortune.' 

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First editions: The four Winnie-the-Pooh books (1924-1928), A.A. Milne can sell for between £4,000 and £10,000. Right, this work by Agatha Christie could make you £2,000

Time for a clear out! The list in full - and how much the books are worth

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997), J.K. Rowling: £50,000

Must be a hardback copy with the numbers 10 to 1 printed down the back of the title page. 

2. The Hobbit (1937), J.R.R. Tolkien: £40,000

The first version of the dust-jacket has a typo corrected by hand on the back; in perfect condition. 

3. The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1901), Beatrix Potter: £35,000

Identifying a real first edition is difficult, and it has been reprinted in similar format for the last century. 

4. A Christmas Carol (1843), Charles Dickens: £15,000

The best-condition copies have made around this much. 

5. The four Winnie-the-Pooh books (1924-1928), A.A. Milne: Between £4,000 and 10,000 

6. Eleven Poems (1965), Seamus Heaney: £3,500

This slim pamphlet published in Belfast makes around this much. 

7. Foundation trilogy (1951-1953), Isaac Asimov: £3,000+

Collectors will pay £3,000 or more for a good set of the three volumes. 

8. Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (1906), Arthur Rackham-illustrated: £2,500+

A fine copy of the limited edition of this famous book can make over £2,500.

9. The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1921), Agatha Christie: £2,000  

10. Verve, 1950s art magazine: £1,500

Certain volumes of this 1950s art magazine can be worth £1,500 or more as they have original lithographs by Matisse and others. 

11. Television: Seeing by Wire or Wireless (1926), Alfred Dinsdale: £1,000

The first English book on television can reach £1,000 at auction.

12. The Cat in the Hat (1957) Dr. Seuss: £1,000

With '200/200' and no mention of 'Beginner Books' on the dust-jacket.

13. High Street (1938), Eric Ravilious and J.M. Richards: £1,000

14. A Clockwork Orange (1962), Anthony Burgess: £900

15. Wisden Cricketers' Almanack (1916): £600-£800

With a reduced wartime print-run, and an obituary for W.G. Grace.

16. The Ladies’ Flower-Garden (1840's), Jane W. Loudon: £500-800

17. The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902), Arthur Conan Doyle: £500+

18. The Bible (1600 – 1630): £300

In English and depending on how much is missing will vary the price.

19. The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book (1894-1895) Rudyard Kipling: £200-£4,000

20. A History of British Birds, (various editions), F.O. Morris – £150

A set of six volumes is around this price