Sotheby's Will Auction Rare Scientific Manuscripts in October
The Reason and Revolution sale will feature foundational texts from Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Physics
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Sotheby's will host a single-owner auction in New York City this October 2026, featuring rare first editions and an autograph manuscript by Isaac Newton. This collection, formerly owned by Sturgis S. and Robert S. Dunham, includes pivotal works that defined the scientific revolution.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the historical trajectory of modern physics and astronomy, providing public access to documents that shaped contemporary scientific thought. By presenting these texts as a single-owner collection, the auction offers rare insight into the lineage of scientific literature.
Estimated valuations for the collection include $500,000-700,000 for Newton's 1694 manuscript and his Principia, alongside $400,000-600,000 for Kepler's Astronomia Nova. These figures reflect the market value for seminal first editions compared to foundational prints like Euclid's 1482 edition.
The players
Sotheby's
An international auction house and marketplace for art, scientific instruments, and historical documents.
Isaac Newton
A foundational physicist and mathematician whose 1694 manuscript and Principia are included in the sale.
The details
The auction features De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, which established the heliocentric model of the universe, and Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation. The collection also includes Galileo's Sidereus Nuncius, the first published scientific work based on telescope observations. These items, preserved through the Dunham estate, represent the transition from classical astronomy to the modern mathematical framework.
Timeline
1482: Euclid's Elements first printed edition was published.
October 2026: The first installment of the Reason and Revolution auction will occur.
December 2026: The second auction sale featuring remaining collection highlights will take place.
The Tech Race
This auction follows the preservation trajectory established by the Sturgis S. and Robert S. Dunham collection, bringing high-value scientific provenance to the public market. It marks a significant milestone in the circulation of primary sources that define the evolution of physical laws.
This auction offers researchers and collectors a rare opportunity to access foundational physics manuscripts formerly held in private hands. Prospective buyers can participate in the New York City event beginning in October 2026.
The takeaway
These manuscripts trace the emergence of modern mechanics and provide a window into the original works that govern physical science today. Collectors and institutions should watch for the auction results in October and December to gauge current market interest in historical scientific artifacts.
What happens next
A second sale of additional collection highlights is scheduled for December 2026.
Further reading
For additional context on the evolution of scientific thought, visit Physics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
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