Most expensive items at auctionSotheby's auction house announced on September 9 that it would sell a rare volume by John James Audubon, The Birds of America , and expects these to bring in around $6.2 million and $9.2 million. making it the most expensive book in the world. Only about 119 copies of the bird book, most of which also exist in museums and libraries. Here's a look at some other very expensive items sold at auction. The Hammer of Leonardo Da Vinci's Codex As the ultimate Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci recorded his thoughts, reflections, and sketches in journals throughout his life. Out of 30 who still remain; its most famous is Codex Hammer, named after a British nobleman who acquired a 72-page diary in 1717. Three years after Bill Gates purchased a historic diary, he released a digitized version so the world could take advantage of it. Happy Birthday Marilyn Monroe, Mr. President Dress When Marilyn Monroe delivered a sultry Happy Birthday serenade to President John F. Kennedy on May 19 in the year 1962, this blonde bombshell wore a skin-tight, jewel-encrusted, skin-tight, flesh-colored dress and somewhat transparent which, according to legend, Monroe was sewn into a dress and wore nothing underneath either. The one-of-a-kind case was purchased in 1999 by the aptly named Manhattan-based collecting company, Gotta Have It! after that, the dress was put up for auction by the widow of Monroe's acting coach, Lee Strasberg. When asked by reporters why he would spend a fortune on a piece of fabric that originally cost about $12,000, company president Robert Schargen proclaimed that he would have paid twice for it. 'Let's steal,' he bragged. The Codex Hammer of Leonardo da Vinci As the ultimate Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci recorded his thoughts, ...... middle of paper ...... eball 10.61 compared to 11.80 of Babe Ruth. The St. Louis Cardinal were destined for Major League Baseball history. But McGwire's real claim to fame came in 1998, when he beat Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs for the record for most home runs in a single season. .50019942 Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress $1,267,500 19993 Leonardo da Vinci's Codex hammer $30,802,500 19944 Guarneri del Gesù violin $3.9 million 20075 Elvis Presley's braids $115,000 20026 Roman-era statue, Artemis and the stag $28.6 million 200771957Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa $12.2 million 20098 Badminton Cabinet $36 million 20049 Wittelsbach Diamond $23.4 million 200810 The 70th home run of Mark McGwire in baseball $3 million 1999