Treasures of the Bodleian

In contrast with the purple psalter alongside, the ‘Bay Psalm Book’ – the first book printed in North America – was an inexpensive, modestly produced book for personal use, small enough to be easily portable. A copy fetched $14.2 million in 2013, making it the most expensive printed book ever sold at auction. It is a rarity: although 1700 copies were printed, most were simply worn out, and only 11 survive.