Happy Tuesday, book lovers! It’s Top Ten Tuesday time again, and this week’s topic from That Artsy Reader Girl is Books That I Won’t Let Anyone Touch. I’ve modified this slightly to be Most Expensive Books I Own, because back in my pre-kids days, when I actually had the luxury of spending money on myself, I subscribed to the Folio Society. I drooled over the beautiful hardcover, clothbound editions of classics old and new and forked out the premium prices for the privilege of having them on my shelves. Needless to say, they’re not handed out to just anyone—least of all my children! (Although, my 11yo son was recently allowed to read the book of selected Sherlock Holmes stories.)
But before I get to my beloved Folio selections, I felt that it was only fair to include two expensive non-Folio titles that I have collected over the years.
THE COMPLETE CALVIN & HOBBES COLLECTION (Bill Watterson)
My husband and I splurged one Christmas (again, pre-kids) and bought this collection for ourselves because we absolutely LOVE Calvin & Hobbes. We have recently begun allowing our kids to share in this love, but I can tell you, the reading of these books is STRICTLY supervised! I don’t remember exactly how much the collection cost, but I have a feeling it wasn’t much under $200 once we factored in postage.
THE MUSIC OF THE ENGLISH CHURCH
(Kenneth R. Long)
This was a purchase when I was doing my music degree at university. I absolutely adore English church music, particularly music of the 15th-17th centuries. (If the names William Byrd, Thomas Weelkes, Orlando Gibbons, or Thomas Tallis mean anything to you, we’re instant friends.) I came across this book in the university library when I was researching, and ended up hunting down a second-hand copy to avoid the library fines when I kept forgetting to renew the loan. It cost me just under $100 for the book, but I considered it money well spent.
Now, onto my Folio Society collection. It all began with Jane Austen…
THE COMPLETE JANE AUSTEN
This was the first thing I ever got through the Folio Society, and I think they’re worth over $250. Reading them is the complete reader experience—it’s the feel, the smell, even the printing itself. It almost feels like Jane Austen herself may have once held them in her hands. Of all the Folio Society books I own, this is still my favourite and most-read collection.
A HISTORY OF ENGLAND
Yes, this is the history nerd in me coming out again, but I love English history as well as English church music. This collection begins with Anglo-Saxon history and ends with the 19th Century. I honestly don’t remember what this set cost, but I think each book individually came in at around $80. As a collection, I got a better price, but still, you can do the maths…
GREAT STORIES OF CRIME AND DETECTION
Crime and detective fiction made up a good deal of my reading diet in my pre-adult years (from Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, then on to Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers). This seemed like a very logical collection to have, and it includes selected stories from pre-1920s all the way through to the end of the 20th Century. I have a feeling I got this for a really good price (after forking out for several other pricey books), but it was still worth a fair bit new.
JANE EYRE AND WUTHERING HEIGHTS (Charlotte & Emily Brontë)
Another one of the first purchases I made, this duo came in at just over $100 I think. I freely admit to enjoying one of these books much more than the other!
SELECTED STORIES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
(Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
This is the Sherlock Holmes collection my 11yo son recently enjoyed. Single volumes from the Folio Society usually range between $50 and $80 each, but I really can’t remember which books fell where in that range. This was another one of my first buys, and my introduction to Sherlock Holmes as well!
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (Baroness Orczy)
I mentioned the movie last week, and now it’s the book’s turn. Loved this book, and I’m now reminded that it’s a while since I last read it. Must be time for a reread.
THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD
(Roger Lancelyn Green)
There’s something about Robin Hood that’s always appealed to me, yet I’d never read any of the written stories, so this one was an easy choice. I’ll probably be suggesting this one to my 11yo son soon too. He’s just a little bit busy discovering Harry Potter at the moment…
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
(Harper Lee)
There’s something intrinsically right about holding this book in such a beautiful hardcover edition. And I am reminded of yet another book that I haven’t read in too long. *sigh*
So there you have it. A small sampling of some of the beautiful books I spent my hard-earned money on before it went to feeding and clothing children!
Wow. You have some very special collections and books. I can’t believe how wonderful those books look. My TTT list this week
History books can be pretty expensive. You have a nice collection!
I’d never even heard of the Folio Society before. What a neat concept.
My TTT.
What amazing, beautiful books!
I don’t think I could afford any of these books! I think the most I’ve ever spent on a book was £25 for the complete set of Sherlock Holmes stories, but most of my books are in the usual range.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/top-ten-tuesday-212/
Those are some gorgeous books! And no one can blame you for keeping those under lock and key!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
These are some very nice editions. Here is my post https://paigesofbook.blogspot.com/2019/05/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-wont-let-anyone.html
Wow, these do look so special! <3
These are gorgeous editions! I can see why you wouldn’t want to loan any of these out. I’ve been known to plonk down money for hardcovers I want to read, but I usually turn around and trade them in for store credit at my local indie. I don’t collect special editions because I’m just not that interested. It’s fun that you are, though!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Awesome collection!!