The rare books which are selling for thousands

Collectors of rare books, and of those written by the Brontë sisters in particular, won’t mind that Emerald Fennell’s new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights takes considerable liberties with Emily Brontë’s Gothic novel, published in 1847 under her nom de plume, Ellis Bell.

Or that, in the words of The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw, it has turned it into “a 20-page fashion shoot of relentless silliness”.

“Major screen adaptations have a long history of reigniting interest in literary originals, and this latest Wuthering Heights is no exception,” says Charles Ashton, a director at Cambridge-based auction house Cheffins.

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“With an A-list cast and media frenzy, the film is introducing a younger, Gen-Z audience to the wonder of the Brontës,” he says.

That can only be a good thing for prices of related first editions and rare-book collecting more generally – even if there might not be quite so many “bodices ripped to shreds”, as Bradshaw puts it, in the original text.

Establishing provenance is important when it comes to starting a collection of rare first editions, as is the condition of the books and the printing editions.

“First editions remain the pinnacle, but early later editions, original cloth bindings and works published under the Bell pseudonyms are all highly desirable,” says Ashton.

“Other things to look out for are any author-inscribed title pages (which would be a great rarity), ownership signatures of famous people of the day or associates of the Brontës – or, indeed, any early edition in the original binding in really good condition,” he says.

A couple of years ago, Cheffins sold a first edition of Wuthering Heights for £46,000, along with a copy of Anne Brontë’s 1848 novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall for £13,000 and an early edition of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë for £2,800.

Beware of unscrupulous dealers in rare books

Collectors also need to be wary of rare books that have been “overly restored or interfered with”, says Ashton.

The book’s authenticity can be called into question if it has been “repaired many times” and any inscriptions contained therein should also be verified as being real.

“There have been scenarios in the past where unscrupulous dealers may have added inscriptions, bringing up the values of the books, and these are not always genuine,” he says. “It’s really important… for people to do their homework before they buy.”

First editions do pop up for sale at the larger auction houses from time to time.

Sotheby’s has a “first American edition” of Wuthering Heights from 1848 for sale at £10,000. But a “young or new collector” might be better off keeping an eye on the more regional auctioneers, where prices can sometimes be “more affordable”, says Ashton.

“The books which we sell at Cheffins tend to come from large country houses where families are downsizing, or house clearance scenarios, which can often bring about some really exciting finds.”

Other highly collectable rare books

Other genres of books are also highly collectable. Science fiction and fantasy novels, for example, were some of the most sought-after at US-based Heritage Auctions’ rare book sale in December.

A three-volume first edition set of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien from the mid-1950s (pictured) sold for $250,000, including the buyer’s premium – more than double the previous auction record for an unsigned set of the works.

The three books in their original dust jackets – The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King – were listed by Heritage as being in “very fine, unrestored condition”.

“Long recognised as the defining achievement of 20th-century fantasy literature, the record-setting result underscores the growing recognition of science fiction and fantasy as foundational pillars of serious rare book collecting,” the auction house said.

Elsewhere in the same sale, a rare autograph manuscript note written by Tolkien in the author’s distinctive hand in the form of a late-stage revision to The Return of the King, fetched $87,500, including fees.

In addition, a first edition of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan of the Apes from 1914, sold for $37,500; an inscribed initial copy of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot (1950) made $20,000; and a first edition copy of Dune (1965), Frank Herbert’s seminal novel that “reshaped modern science fiction”, sold for $13,125. The 610 lots in the sale made $2.1 million.

A more recent classic is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone from 1997. Auction house Sotheby’s has a “first paperback edition” to “buy now” on its website, priced at £15,000.

“Combining cultural significance, scarcity, and strong... demand, this first paperback edition stands as an essential acquisition for collectors of modern literature and landmark first editions,” says the auction house.

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