Opulence in Cellulose

Niviya Vas | January 27, 2025 | Heritage

In 2007, Amazon launched its first e-reader, the Kindle, forever changing the way the world buys and reads books. With its six-inch display, the device outshone its other-brand predecessors who debuted in the late 1990s, quickly selling out and remaining out of stock for months.

But even as technology ushered in a seismic shift in reading culture, one area of the literary world remained steadfastly immune to the tides of change.

Pigments and prints — of eras gone by, or of more modern times — held firm their place on diverse descendants of the humble papyrus. Some documented facts and observations, others carried myths and fables. Few were wrapped in gold-embossed leather and lined with buttery silk, while others were preserved within the fading reds, browns and blues of sturdy jackets sans illustrations.

Sure, digital books offer immediacy, but the worth and charisma (and tangible nature) of rare, luxurious, and antiquarian books continue to captivate collectors and connoisseurs alike. Quietly alluring, their artistic value, cultural significance, and historical importance beckon affluent bibliophiles and those with a penchant for rare treasures manifested as type, text or tableau.

Print is Priceless

I’m an avid reader, so I’m always on the lookout for reads that add value to my life. At present, my little collection consists of nearly 150 books. Most of these are print versions, although I do own a Kindle, and I’m having a hard time convincing myself not to buy the new BOOX Palma. My most expensive book — a coffee table piece on the havelis of old Delhi — cost me around INR 4,000.

A luxury or collectors’ book can start at ten-to-hundred times that amount.

Take for instance the world’s most expensive book — Leonardo da Vinci’s “Codex Leicester” — which became part of Bill Gates’ collection in 1994, for a whopping $30.8 million; $63.3 million in today’s value.

Notes from Codex Leicester

In the case of Codex Leicester, it’s easy to see why it’s worth millions. Written and illustrated by da Vinci himself, it’s one of the few of the Renaissance genius’ notes still in existence. Its provenance enhances its desirability, with one of its previous owners being Thomas Coke, the Earl of Leicester.

John James Audubon first published “The Birds of America” between 1827 and 1838. The French-American artist, naturalist and ornithologist used copperplate etching, aquatint, and watercolour techniques to painstakingly publish 435 hand-coloured, life-sized illustrations of North American bird species, some of which are now extinct, and some endangered. Produced in Double Elephant Folio size (a stately 39 inches tall), it was a colossal endeavour — both artistically and financially — translating to limited prints. Only 120 complete sets remain, and in 2010, one sold for $11.5 million.

Luxury books can also be reflective of contemporary periods. In 2007, J.K. Rowling’s handwritten and self-illustrated “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” became a modern literary treasure. Six copies, bound in Moroccan leather and adorned with silver-mounted corners and semi-precious stones, were gifted to friends and editors, while the remaining one auctioned for nearly $4 million to raise funds for Rowling’s charity. The artistic labour and rarity of the work turned the story collection into priceless objects.

Assouline’s Formula 1 collection priced at $1,200; a modern luxury book

The distinction between old, rare, and luxury books is clear. Not all old books are rare, and vice versa. Yet nearly all rare books — whether first editions, autographed, out of print, or banned — hold immense value, with some becoming revered as antiquarian treasures.

The Indian luxury book market has miles to go

Western nations, led by auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s, dominate the luxury book trade. Affluent private collectors, institutions, museums, and libraries sustain the industry, routinely spending substantial amounts to acquire historical manuscripts, first editions, and illustrated masterpieces.

India has a rich history of handwritten and printed material, and is home to some remarkable antiquarian treasures. Several rare books originate from the personal libraries of erstwhile zamindars, royalty, and affluent industrial families like the Birlas and Tatas. These collections, often built over generations, contain rare manuscripts, out of prints, and illustrated volumes of immense historical and cultural value. Books printed during the Mughal period, such as the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, Akbarnama or the Baburnama, are coveted for their intricate miniature paintings and calligraphy, while Jain palm-leaf manuscripts and The Diamond Sutra hold significant religious and cultural importance.

John Gould’s “Birds of Asia”, a seven-volume set from a collection of only 235 copies, was recently auctioned for ₹1.5 crore

Still, the luxury and collectors’ book market in the country remains niche. The general public’s lack of awareness about the value of antiquarian books, combined with the dominance of digital reading, are just some of the challenges to overcome. India also lacks the formal auction houses and collector guilds that bolster trade in the West.

Antiquarian bookshops like Southex Books and Prints in Delhi have long catered to a small but dedicated clientele, offering everything from first editions to 19th-century illustrated works, including signed copies of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” and E.M. Forster’s “A Passage to India”.

Memoirs of India, a third-generation family business, based in South Delhi, has earned a reputation for offering one of the finest collections of rare books on the Indian subcontinent. Their selection includes first editions, manuscripts, and restored volumes, often sourced from prominent private collections and maintained with the great care. Memoirs of India offers books that can cost lakhs for rare first editions, with prices available on request to privileged clients.

The Fugitive by Rabindranath Tagore

Similarly, Artisera, another player in the rare book market, provides a transparent approach to pricing, appealing to both Indian and international collectors. Their collection includes antiquarian books that shine light on India’s colonial past. For international buyers, this offers the opportunity to own a piece of India’s rich literary and historical heritage, while contributing to the global appreciation of the country’s contributions to knowledge and culture.

1933 print of The Mathnawi of Jalal-Ud-Din-Rumi

A future for the rare printed word

Though the Indian luxury book market remains niche, it holds immense potential. As awareness grows, more collectors may recognize the value of investing in literary works — not just for financial returns but for the artistic, cultural and historical legacy they represent. For collectors, the real reward lies in owning and cherishing a piece of the written word — a tangible link to the past that endures through time, or a representation of matchless artistic expression.

In a world that prioritizes instant access and fast consumption, rare and valuable books are timeless. They offer a tactile, visual, and intellectual experience that digital mediums cannot replace, where ownership is otherwise intangible – on the cloud or through the blockchain. Technology may change how we read, but it’s unlikely to ever replicate the inexplicable feeling of holding a centuries-old manuscript or a rare first edition, whether bound in gold-embossed leather or in plain old parchment. I don’t judge a book by its cover, most of the time.

Words by Niviya Vas
Featured Image by Raja Ravi Verma.

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