Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) launched a high-end version of its "100 Best Albums" list — with a hefty price tag.

The 208-page coffee table book costs $450. Apple Music produced it in collaboration with luxury print company Assouline.

It is now available for preorder, with estimated shipping slated for Nov. 25.

Apple Will Release Only 1,500 Copies

The most significant aspect of this release is its extreme rarity. The Cupertino, California-based company will release only 1,500 copies of 100 Best Albums, with each one numbered for authenticity. This limited availability is likely the driving factor behind the eye-watering price point.

The book features a collector's item design, with a white linen hardcover and gold gilding on the page edges and spine lettering. A custom-designed translucent acrylic slipcase, etched with the Apple Music logo, protects the book.

Moreover, the glossy pages feature detailed text from the digital version of the "100 Best Albums" list, compiled by Apple Music's editorial team.

However, there's one noticeable caveat—this physical version excludes multimedia elements like videos and additional images that were part of the digital edition. It's a curious decision, given that much of the visual appeal of a music-related list often lies in its accompanying imagery.

Zane Lowe's Foreword: A Personal Touch

Zane Lowe, Apple Music's Creative Director, penned the foreword of the book. "If our list sparks more debate among fans outside of Apple Music and gets people talking passionately about the music they love, then we've done what we set out to do," Lowe said in a statement.

Lowe's statement may serve to alleviate some of the criticism directed at the book's high cost. Many fans have expressed discontent over the price, particularly given that the content itself is not exclusive to the physical book.

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