rare book

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rare book¹

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

Lichfield-based Rare Book Auctions, sister company to Hansons, had valued both of the papers at between £40,000 and £60,000.

From BBC

The engraving - titled Knight, Death and the Devil and signed and dated 1513 - was sold in an online auction by Rare Book Auctions in Lichfield, Staffordshire, on Wednesday, surpassing a guide price range of £10,000-£20,000.

From BBC

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

In 2022, a rare book laced with arsenic was discovered by librarians in Leeds.

From BBC