J. D. Watson and F. D. H. Crick, et. al. "Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids," an ...
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Description
First issue offprint of their groundbreaking paper presenting their DNA model for the first time with signatures by four of the scientists, including Crick and Wilkins
J. D. Watson and F. D. H. Crick, et. al.
"Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids," an offprint from
Nature, Vol. 171, p. 737, April 25, 1953. [London]: Fisher,
Knight & Co., Ltd., [1953]. 8vo. [14] pages made up of 6 conjugate
leaves and one half-leaf, the single leaf tipped onto the preceding
leaf as issued. With two figures, including the double helix, and
two photographic illustrations. Self-wrappers, stapled as issued.
Comprising three papers, all issued under the heading "Molecular
Structure of Nucleic Acids": "A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic
Acid" by J. D. Watson and F. H. C. Crick; "Molecular Structure of
Deoxypentose Nucleic Acids" by M. H. F. Wilkins, A. R. Stokes, and
H. R. Wilson; and "Molecular Configuration in Sodium Thymonucleate"
by Rosalind E. Franklin and R. G. Gosling.FIRST OFFPRINT EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, preceding the single-leaf, double-column offprint. Signed by four of the seven scientists whose work was included. Signers include: "M H F Wilkins" and "Francis Crick," signing next to the title of the first paper; "H. R. Wilson," signing next to his name following the second paper; and "R. G. Gosling," signing next to his name following the third paper.
Although Watson and Crick had previously discussed their model informally within scientific circles, their paper in the April 1953 issue of Nature was the first public announcement of their double-helix model. Though the exact number of offprints printed is unknown, the number was undoubtedly small; according to Dr. Haskell F. Norman, who, like most collectors today, preferred the offprint, "It is the offprint, issued in limited quantities of twenty-five to fifty, which authors often sent to friends, frequently with their inscriptions."
Watson, Crick, and Wilkins shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962 for the discoveries first published in these papers.
Condition: Lightly and evenly toned; slight wrinkling at lower right corner; else, fine.
References: Dibner, Heralds of Science, 200; Garrison-Morton 256.3; Haskell F. Norman, M.D., "One Hundred Books Famous in Medicine: Notes on the Exhibition" in Gazette of the Grolier Club, Number 46, 1994, pp. 9-19; Heirs of Hippocrates 2342.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
January
26th
Monday
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26th
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Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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