rare book

American  

noun

1. a book that is distinguished by its early printing date, its limited issue, the special character of the edition or binding, or its historical interest.

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Etymology

Origin of rare book

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Ethan Hawke, here called Lee Raybon, is a Tulsa amateur “truthstorian” and rare book dealer, working and living in a store where the cool people hang out.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025

Hitler’s original copy is in the rare book collection, along with 1,200 of his other books, at the Library of Congress.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2024

Stanfield plays Apollo, a rare book dealer in New York whose marriage to a librarian named Emma takes a shocking turn after they welcome a son.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 3, 2023

Before handling a rare book, some people take off rings and watches.

From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2023

It smelled as though scent scientists had engineered it to give off the whiff of walking past a high-end rare book dealer’s shop in Paris or London.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner