Isaac Newton's notes containing revisions to his masterwork Principia to go on auction at Christie's in July | World - Firstpost

Published in 1687, Newton’s Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica — Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy — set out the laws of gravitation and motion by The Associated Press.

Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton by Sir Godfrey Kneller.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/National Portrait Gallery

Handwritten notes that show one of history’s greatest scientific minds in action are going up for auction in London.

Pages containing Isaac Newton’s jotted revisions to his masterwork, the Principia, are expected to sell next month for between 600,000 pounds and 900,000 pounds ($850,000 and $1.3 million), auctioneer Christie’s said on 1 June.

Published in 1687, Newton’s Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica — Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy — set out the laws of gravitation and motion and is considered a scientific watershed. A first edition of the book sold at auction for $3.7 million in 2016...

The page and a half of notes for a planned second edition includes comments and diagrams by Scottish mathematician and astronomer David Gregory. The two scientists met and corresponded while Newton worked on revising the Principia in the 1690s...

The document will go under the hammer at Christie’s in London on 8 July.

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Source: Firstpost