Historic Galileo Manuscript Just Set a New Auction Record
The Italian polymath’s first publication reveals his bravery in challenging established doctrines with radical scientific ideas.
Even in the league of genius polymaths, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei enjoys legendary status. He was the first to systematically study space with a telescope and his inventions include the pendulum clock and the geometric compass. It is no surprise that his works are a hot commodity on the few occasions they come to market.
The celebrated scientist set a new auction record yesterday with an exceedingly rare first edition of his early 17th-century publication Dialogo de Cecco di Ronchitti da Bruzene in perpuosito de la stella Nuova. The landmark achievement of early modern science sold for an impressive £1.1 million ($1.5 million) at Christie’s London’s Valuable Books and Manuscripts sale on July 9. This figure roughly doubled the presale estimate of £500,000–£700,000 ($680,000–$950,000) (final prices include buyer’s fees, estimates do not).