The most expensive book

$24,000,000

The most expensive book in the world – Leicester Code, “Leonardo – a treatise on the water, earth and celestial bodies” (this is the original title of this book), made 500 years ago in the years 1504-1516. If the famous “Mona Lisa” of the great Leonardo da Vinci, everyone knows something about this priceless, in a spiritual sense, a monument of the Renaissance as the “Leicester Codex few know. This does not preclude “Treatise on the water, earth and celestial bodies” is the most expensive book. In 1994 it was bought by Bill Gates for 24 million dollars. Until recently the most expensive book in the world is privately owned by oil tycoon Armand Hammer. The most expensive book in the world is thinking and reasoning of Leonardo da Vinci for a variety of scientific subjects. At 18 parchment pages of Leonardo gives his thoughts on the structure and properties of minerals, water, air and light. Talented Italian, in his treatise reports that the world – a living thing: the land – the flesh, the water – the blood, the air – the soul. The book is supplied with illustrations by Leonardo himself. The highlight of the rarity is a special mirrored font, which published the book. Read a masterpiece can only be a mirror.

Most expensive book

Most expensive book

$30.8 million

The Codex Leicester is the most expensive book ever sold. The Codex Leicester is a collection of largely scientific writings by Leonardo da Vinci.

Physically, the Codex takes the form of 18 sheets of paper, each folded in half and written on both sides, forming the complete 72-page document. At one time the sheets were bound together, but they are now displayed separately. It was handwritten in Italian by Leonardo, using his characteristic mirror writing, and supported by copious drawings and diagrams.

In 1994 Bill Gates bought it at auction for $30.8 million, making it the most expensive book ever, and renamed it the Codex Leicester. The Codex is put on public display once a year in a different city around the world. In 2004 it was exhibited in the Château de Chambord, and in 2005 in Tokyo. One page was exhibited at the Seattle Museum of Flight’s 2006 exhibit “Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius.” From June to August 2007, the codex will be the centerpiece of a two month exhibition hosted by the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, Ireland.