Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester is not only one of the most expensive books in the world, but also one of the most famous. This 72-page notebook, filled with da Vinci’s handwritten musings and sketches, was purchased by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates at a 1994 auction.

The Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in the history of democracy, was sold in 2007 for a staggering $21.3 million. This historical document, which dates back to 1215, established the principle that everyone, including the king, is subject to the law.

The Gospels of Henry the Lion, a 12th-century manuscript, was auctioned off at Sotheby’s in London in 1983. This beautifully illuminated book, which was commissioned by Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony, fetched a price of $11.7 million.

This beautifully illuminated manuscript, once owned by the Rothschild family, was sold at auction in 2014 for $13.4 million. The 16th-century book features stunning illustrations and miniatures.

The first book printed in what would become the United States, The Bay Psalm Book, sold for $14.2 million in 2013. This book, a translation of the Psalms, was published in 1640 by the Puritan leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The St Cuthbert Gospel, a 7th-century manuscript that is the oldest surviving European book with its original binding, was purchased by the British Library in 2012 for $14.3 million.

One of the most famous natural history books ever produced, Birds of America by John James Audubon, was sold at auction in 2010 for $11.5 million. This book features 435 life-sized illustrations of birds, all hand-painted by Audubon.

A first edition of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer was sold at auction in 1998 for $7.5 million. This 15th-century book is one of the most important works in English literature.

A copy of the First Folio by William Shakespeare, which includes 36 of his plays, was sold at auction in 2001 for $6.2 million. This 17th-century book is one of the most important collections of plays in the English language.

A copy of the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed using mass-produced movable metal type in Europe, was sold in 1987 for $5.4 million. This 15th-century book marked the start of the age of the printed book in the West.

This artwork, depicting Jesus Christ as ‘Savior of the World’, was sold at a Christie’s auction in New York in November 2017. The staggering $450.3 million price tag made it the most expensive painting ever sold at auction.

This abstract expressionist painting was part of a private sale in September 2015, brokered by Christie’s. The final price of approximately $300 million places it among the most expensive artworks ever sold.

This post-impressionist work was acquired by the State of Qatar in a private sale in 2011. At approximately $250 million, it is one of the most expensive paintings sold privately.

This post-impressionist masterpiece was sold to the State of Qatar in a private sale in February 2015. The final price of approximately $210 million made headlines around the world.

Sold privately to Kenneth Griffin in September 2015, this abstract expressionist piece was part of a landmark deal that also included Willem de Kooning’s ‘Interchange’. The final price for ‘Number 17A’ was approximately $200 million.

This abstract expressionist work was sold privately to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev in August 2014. At a price of approximately $186 million, it ranks among the most expensive paintings ever sold.

This symbolist work was sold to an unknown buyer in a private sale in 2013. The final price of approximately $183.8 million places it among the most expensive private sales in art history.

These full-length wedding portraits were sold jointly to the Louvre and Rijksmuseum in September 2015. The final price of approximately $180 million made it one of the most significant sales of Old Master paintings.

This cubist work was sold at a Christie’s auction in New York to the former prime minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, in May 2015. The final price of $179.4 million made it the most expensive Picasso ever sold at auction.

This nude portrait was sold at a Christie’s auction in New York to Chinese billionaire Liu Yiqian in November 2015. The final price of $170.4 million places it among the most expensive paintings ever sold at auction.