10 rare books worth an absolute fortune

Are there hidden treasures on your bookshelf? Hunt for old books and novels that could be worth a fortune.

If you’re anything like me, you walk past your bookshelf at least once a day and don’t pay them much attention.

Now, while you might think to have a clear out, (take a look at the best places to sell books for quick cash), you may want to check if some of the titles are worth a LOT more than others.

You could likely have very sought after books just gathering dust on your shelf.

See what you have or even check with older relatives to see if there are old rare books, boxed up in the attic, before you accidently send them off to a car boot sale!

Old books worth money

This isn’t a list of some random title that no-one has heard of.

You’re really looking for early copies of some of Britain’s best-known books from Roald Dahl classics to Harry Potter.

And, even if you don’t have any at home, when you head to the charity shop, be sure to check any copies you come across, just in case.

Book lovers at All Top Books have shared a list of ten books which could be worth a small fortune:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (1967)

The Roald Dahl classic has been loved by many generations across the world.

As long as it’s in a good condition, a rare 1967 copy can be worth around £1,000 to collectors.

The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter (1910)

Beatrix Potter has a legion of devoted collectors, with people collecting anything from Beatrix Potter 50p coins to teddies and prints of drawings.

Her early books are in high demand, even to this day.

The famous tale of Mrs Tittlemouse can also be worth around £1,000 for a first edition copy.

Now We Are Six, Winnie The Pooh by A.A. Milne (1927)

Now We Are Six is the third book in the Winnie The Pooh collection. 

I loved this book when I was younger. I likely didn’t have an original, sadly, although mine was battered to pieces.

However, if you do find an early copy, people willing to pay almost £2,000 for it.

James Bond: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by Ian Fleming (1963)

Ian Fleming’s action-packed thriller is a rare find as many of them have already been snapped up by collectors.

However, for those who have a hidden copy of the novel at home, you could be sitting on a staggering £13,000.

A community member of our Facebook page shared that a friend of theirs inherited a set of James Bond first edition books, so you never know when or where you’ll see them.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin (1894)

Literature fanatics adore the 19th-century Jane Austin novel.

Copies of the 1894 version have been listed for almost £2,500 online.

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1914)

The story of Alice’s erratic adventure in Wonderland is worth a small fortune.

Check inside the cover for a “Riccardi Press Edition”

Prices for this book can reach almost £2,000.

Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (1902)

The Sherlock Holmes series sold in its thousands, so there are plenty of copies out there on bookshelves.

If you find one gathering dust, it is definitely worth looking inside to see if you have an early edition or a rare copy.

The book could be worth around £5,000.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (1997)

It is no surprise that the Harry Potter series is a staple on many families’ shelves.

If you’re one of the holders of first-print, first-edition copies, then you could be looking to rake in around £5,000.

Signed copies have been known to change hands for much more.

You could be looking at six figures if you’re lucky enough to own one of those. 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (1998)

The second of the wizardry series is also worth a hefty amount.

Books are sold online for just short of £2,000 for a first edition, first impression copy.

N or M? By Agatha Christie (1941)

A copy of the crime thriller novel could be worth up to £2,000 for a first British edition, first impression version.

It’s a great look book too, with a striking red cloth cover with the spine littered in black.