Rare De Magnete Copy Sells for $61,440 at Auction
The 1600 foundational text on magnetism reached a final price well above the initial auction estimate of $35,000.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Geography
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A first edition copy of William Gilbert's 1600 scientific text, De Magnete, sold for $61,440 at a Christie's auction in New York on October 13, 2026. This rare volume, formerly from the Signet Library in Edinburgh, was listed as Lot 61 in the firm's Fine Printed Books, Manuscripts, and Science sale.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the sustained collector market for foundational scientific works that document the early development of magnetism and electricity. As a cornerstone of experimental science, the continued circulation of such rare texts allows provenance tracking for original 17th-century publications.
The volume measures 28.2 by 18.4 centimeters and reflects a 1600 London printing. The final hammer price of $61,440 significantly exceeded the pre-auction estimate of 25,000 to 35,000.
The players
Christie's
A global auction house specializing in fine arts, rare manuscripts, and historical scientific texts.
William Gilbert
The 17th-century English physician and natural philosopher who authored the seminal text on magnetism.
Signet Library
A historic library collection located in Edinburgh that previously housed this specific edition.
The details
De Magnete, written by William Gilbert, is recognized for its early investigation into magnetic fields and the Earth's polarity. The physical book serves as an artifact of 17th-century printing techniques, characterized by the specific dimensions and binding methods preserved through centuries of ownership, including its time at the Signet Library in Edinburgh.
Timeline
1600: De Magnete was first published in London.
April 11, 1960: The copy was previously sold at a Sotheby's auction.
December 14, 2014: The book was sold at a Christie's auction.
October 13, 2026: The book sold for $61,440 at Christie's.
The Tech Race
This sale follows the valuation trend set by the 2014 Christie's auction of the same volume. It benchmarks the growing collector interest in foundational science texts compared to the 2014 market period.
While the physical book is now held in a private collection, interested researchers can view digital versions of the text through various institutional archives. The sale price serves as a reference point for private collectors and libraries monitoring the market for 17th-century scientific literature.
The takeaway
The sustained value of De Magnete reflects the enduring importance of Gilbert's work in the history of experimental physics. Watch for future auction records of this volume to track the long-term appreciation of early scientific manuscripts.
Further reading
Explore the history of scientific dissemination in Geography.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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