[SIGCIS-Members] Christie's at it again

[James Sumner]

I saw this and was rather more struck by the estimate of £300 000 to 
£500 000 ($480K to $800K) for Max Newman's Turing offprints:

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5370960&sid=552921b4-dde0-44a6-9eed-642b040d7784

They're bundled with the visitors' book from Newman's house, including 
Alan and Sara Turing's signatures, which does have obvious strong 
collector appeal. Most of the offprints, save for their provenance, are 
just offprints: one has "light annotation" from Newman, three have 
Newman's name in Turing's hand, one has Sara Turing's signature, the 
others are unmarked.

Turing offprints, like MS material, are "of the utmost rarity", 
according to the catalogue entry. I wonder why.

Best
James

On 12/11/2010 21:46, Evan Koblentz wrote:
> Christie's auction house is doing another computer history sale.
>
> All the press today is focused on their Apple 1. For the record, Apple 1
> systems typically sell on eBay and among collectors and hobbyists for
> $15,000-$25,000. Usually one or two per year come around. Sales have
> been on the low side lately because of the economy. Even the deep-pocket
> people aren't spending too high.
>
> Christie's plans to START their bidding at $161,000. Yet the Apple 1
> they're selling is not particular special (it's a high serial number)
> and it's been altered from original condition.
>
> http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20022691-37.html
>
> Insanity reigns.
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