Washington, Apr 13 (ANI): A rare psalm book from 1640 is tipped to fetch between 15 million dollars to 30 million dollars at an auction in New York.
David Redden, vice chairman of Sotheby's auction house, told ABCNews.com that "it's going to be far and away the most expensive book ever sold."
The Bay Psalm Book, which is the first book printed in what is now the United States, comes from the Old South Church in Boston, one of two copies of the book in its collection.
"One copy, the copy we are keeping, was bequeathed to us by our fifth minister, the Reverend Thomas Prince," Nancy Taylor, Old South Church's senior minister and CEO, said.
Sotheby's specialists used comparables to value the book.
"We have sold books as much as 11.5 million dollars in the past, which are far less rare than this," Redden said.
The last Bay Psalm Book was bought at a Sotheby's auction in 1947 for 151,000 dollars by Yale University.
Old South Church's particular Bay Psalm Book is one of the best copies and in excellent condition, but what makes it incredibly sought after is its origin.
When the Bay Psalm Book was first printed, 1,700 copies were made, and few survive.
Old South Church is hoping to use profits from the sale to help pay for building repairs and support its ministries. The church will maintain ownership of its other 2,000 rare books and manuscripts. (ANI)
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