Hidden Fortunes on Your Bookshelf: The Top 10 Rare Novels That Could Earn You Thousands

In an era where side hustles are becoming increasingly popular, reselling books has become a lucrative and accessible opportunity. Enthusiasts and entrepreneurs are discovering that with the help of companies like Webuybooks turning a profit from pre-owned books is not only feasible but also rewarding. 

Brits made a whopping £4.6 million last year selling their unwanted books, CDs, DVDs and games with Webuybooks and one individual made over £37,000. With that in mind the experts at Webuybooks have compiled a list of the top 10 novels that could be sitting on shelves across the UK waiting to make people a fortune.

1. First Edition Ulysses by James Joyce - Approximate Value: £275,000

Considered a masterpiece of modern literature, James Joyce's Ulysses is a modern-day reflection of Homer’s epic poem Odyssey. Early editions of Ulysses are one the most desirable books out there. Due to its significance and rarity, a first-edition Ulysses in good condition can fetch as much as £24,557. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the most a first edition copy of Ulysses has sold for, in 2009 a very special first edition of the book, printed on Dutch handmade paper, sold for a record-breaking £275,000!

1. First Edition of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Approximate Value: £140,000

From J.R.R. Tolkien comes the next entry onto this list of the most expensive novels, The Lord of the Rings. The continual success of The Lord of the Rings and the ever-increasing rarity of first edition copies means they can be worth anything in the region of £50,000-£140,000.

1. First Edition Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Approximate Value: £139,356

From the much-loved author of titles like Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Sanditon, Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates her way through a complex society of appearances and expectations. When the first edition was originally published back in 1813 it was sold for 18 shillings (equivalent to around £52 in today's currency), today however, it's estimated to have a value of up to £140,000.

1. First Edition of The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie Approximate Value: £100,000

Over the years, Agatha Christie has been a figurehead in the murder mystery genre, drawing in fans from across the globe and building a franchise that has seen countless TV and film adaptations. Agatha Christie has written and published 66 novels, each being met with varying levels of success, so it will come as no surprise that she has made it onto this list. If you are lucky enough to find a first edition of The Mysterious Affair at Styles in 'very good' condition with its original dust jacket, it could be worth up to £100,000.

1. First Edition of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Approximate Value: £64,420

One of the most well-known pieces of literature of the 1900s, The Hobbit, set the stage for a new age of high fantasy literature. When The Hobbit was published in 1937 it was only given a first run of 1,500 which immediately makes it rare by any standards. Nowadays there are likely much fewer than 1,500 first edition copies of The Hobbit left thanks to general attrition, not to mention all the copies that have already been accounted for. This means that any first edition copy of The Hobbit is going to be valuable. An example of just how valuable they can be is the leather-bound first edition copy of The Hobbit found on the Greek island of Santorini which sold was valued at £64,420.

1. First Edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter Approximate Value: £50,000

Peter Rabbit is a household name. First appearing in the book entitled The Tales of Peter Rabbit, in 1902, the young mischievous rabbit quickly found his way into the hearts of thousands of people across the globe. Today, a first edition copy of Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit is worth up to £50,000 depending on condition.

1. First Edition Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Approximate Value: £39,221

Considered by many to be the ‘first English novel’, Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe was first published back in 1719. This beloved tale follows the struggle endured by Robinson Crusoe himself after he becomes a castaway when his ship sinks and he is the only survivor. Originally sold for around 5 shillings per book, a first edition copy could fetch up to £40,000 today.

1. First Edition Casino Royale by Ian Fleming Approximate Value: £24,180

Known the world over, James Bond’s first appearance was in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel Casino Royale. Since then, the works of Ian Fleming have taken fictional espionage and spy work to a whole new level, spawning the much-loved James Bond film collection and inspiring countless other novels, TV series, and films. It’s because of the legacy that Casino Royale holds and the rarity of true first edition copies that you could be looking at a price tag of around £24,000 if you’re lucky enough to find one on your bookshelf.

1. First Edition In Our Time by Ernest Hemingway Approximate Value: £22,079

Regarded by many experts as a gateway that led to Ernest Hemingway’s later works, In Our Time is a book comprised of a collection of short stories. Seen as a milestone in Hemingway’s career it even received praise from fellow distinguished authors including F. Scott Fitzgerald. Today, a first edition copy of In Our Time could fetch anything up to £23,000.

1. First Edition Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Approximate Value: £20,381

Finally, Lewis Carol’s children’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Originally published in 1865, this popular children’s tale has been the focus of over 50 film and TV productions. Thanks to its popularity and the legacy that Carroll left behind, a first edition copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in good condition could be worth up to £20,000-£35,000.

That’s the top 10 but here are a few more novels that might not have made our list of the most valuable novels but could certainly make somebody’s day if they were lucky enough to come across a copy.

• The Chronicles of Narnia First Edition by C.S. Lewis – Up to £20,000
• The Tale of Tittlemouse First Edition by Beatrix Potter – Up to £10,000The Secret Adversary First Edition by Agatha Christie – Up to £5,000 or £80,000 with a dust jacket
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz First Edition by L. Frank Baum – Up to £15,000
• Tarzan of the Apes First Edition by Edgar Rice Burroughs – Up to £20,000

And there you have it – our journey through some of the most valuable novels ever written! While we’ve only scratched the surface of the literary treasures out there, there’s always more to discover.  

Not all books make these eye-watering amounts but users can scan their regular books into the app for an immediate price.

For more information visit www.webuybooks.com

Ends

Editors notes

WeBuyBooks is the easy way to reclaim your space and make some money -all from the comfort of your own home! So, whether you’re looking to declutter your shelves, earn some extra cash or simply keep the kids entertained, you’re in the right place!

We even offer a free home collection service, so you don’t even need to step out of your front door. Simply gather up your unwanted books and start scanning.