The first edition of Nicolaus Copernicus’s groundbreaking work, in which the Polish astronomer proposed that the Earth revolves around the Sun rather than the other way around, will be up for sale next month. It is expected to sell for $2.5 million.
Entitled “De Revolutionibus orbium coelestium”, which translates from Latin to “On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres,” Copernicus’s book was published in 1543 and paved the way for future scientists, including Galileo Galilei, helping to revolutionize the field of astronomy.
This rare manuscript is believed to be one of the 277 known copies of Copernicus’s book worldwide.
The book was considered highly controversial at the time, as it presented a heliocentric model of the universe where the Sun is at the center of the solar system and the planets revolve around it. This new model contradicted the widely accepted doctrine of the Catholic Church that placed the Earth at the center.
Approximately 277 known first editions exist worldwide (from an initial 500 copies, which the Vatican quickly banned), but most are owned by museums, libraries, and other institutions. Only a few are in private hands, making this sale exceptionally rare. In 2008, a similar copy was auctioned for $2.2 million, according to auction house Christie’s.
“This book comes up for auction very rarely,” said Christian Westergaard, founder of Sophia Rare Books, who is handling the sale. “It’s very rare to find a copy in this condition. It is a completely perfect copy.”
The only notable change to the leather-bound book is the cover, which Westergaard estimates was replaced around the 18th century. Typically, copies that appear on the market have been restored, often featuring tampered stamps and chemically washed pages. Westergaard stated that there is no forgery present in this copy.
Westergaard commented: “Collecting books is like collecting cars. Collectors want the original.”
The manuscript also contains several handwritten annotations, including two names scrawled on the title page that can only be seen under ultraviolet light. These include the words “Brugiere” and “Jacobi Du Roure.”
Westergaard mentioned: “Unfortunately, we know nothing about the two original owners or the annotators. It seems they have been lost in the mists of time. But perhaps one day someone will succeed in clarifying these details.”
Westergaard plans to display this edition at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair, which will take place from April 27-30.
