The Star Regent Theatre 24 Hour Book Sale finished at noon on Saturday.
Hordes of people tackled the 2500 cartons of books and spent $85,755, which was nearly $10,000 up on last year.
Sale co-ordinator Alison Cunningham said it was the most the sale made since its 30th anniversary nine years ago.
She attributed this year's success to good weather and having "terrific books".
"The stars aligned."
As usual, science fiction was heavily picked over, but there was also a strong selection of arts books this year.
The Highlanders drawing rather than winning their match against the Bulls on Friday night also meant there "wasn't too much of a ruckus in the Octagon".
"We had a lot of trouble the year of the Rugby World Cup. It wasn't a problem this weekend, though.
"All I can go by is there were lots of people there and all looked happy."
The leftover $1 books are taken by Dunedin Central Rotary for pop-up shops and the unsold priced books are usually marked down and sold the following year.
Proceeds will go towards the continued development of the new Clarkson Studio space at the theatre.
