Sotheby’s Will Auction Rare Physics Manuscripts
A collection featuring historic scientific texts will go under the hammer in New York City this October.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Physics
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Sotheby’s announced a dedicated single-owner auction titled Reason and Revolution, featuring rare scientific first editions and an Isaac Newton manuscript. The first installment of this collection is scheduled to take place in New York City in October 2026.
Why it matters
The auction highlights the provenance of foundational physics texts, including works that shifted the human understanding of the universe. Collectors and institutions will have the opportunity to acquire manuscripts and first editions that document the evolution of scientific thought.
The collection includes rare first editions and manuscripts, such as Euclid's Liber Elementorum estimated at $240,000-360,000 and Kepler's Astronomia Nova estimated at $400,000-600,000. Galileo's Sidereus Nuncius is valued between $250,000 and $350,000.
The players
Sotheby's
Founded in 1744, this global auction house facilitates the sale of fine art, decorative objects, and rare historical manuscripts.
Isaac Newton
An English mathematician and physicist who is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists in history.
The details
This single-owner auction contains works by Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton, with some items previously held by Sturgis S. Dunham and Robert S. Dunham. The featured Newton manuscript dates back to 1694 and is offered alongside his seminal work, Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
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: A second sale of collection highlights is scheduled to take place.
The Big Picture
The auction of these rare scientific texts follows the historical trend of high-profile private library liquidations, such as the sale of the Honeyman Collection of scientific books. This event underscores the sustained market demand for primary source materials that define the evolution of physical sciences.
The auction provides a rare opportunity for public institutions and private collectors to acquire foundational documents that influenced modern technology and engineering. These historical sales often determine which rare scientific texts are moved into public archives versus private ownership.
The takeaway
This event serves as a reminder of how rare scientific manuscripts maintain their value as cultural artifacts over centuries. Readers interested in history can look to track auction results to see how these pivotal works of physics are valued by the modern market.
What happens next
A second auction featuring additional highlights from the scientific collection is scheduled to take place in December 2026.
Further reading
Explore more developments in Physics as researchers and collectors continue to analyze foundational texts.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
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